SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The following local residents recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Dustin R. Beard is the son of Kera Gauthier of Sabattus. He is a 2013 graduate of Oak Hill High School in Wales.

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Patrick J. Ross is the son of Patricia and James Ross of Raymond. He is a 2008 graduate of Westbrook High School. He earned an associate degree in 2012 from Southern Maine Community College in South Portland.

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Chantal R. Bisson is the daughter of David Bisson of Lisbon. She is a 2013 graduate of Lisbon High School.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Devyn M. Pepin is the son of Kristie Small of Lewiston. He is a 2010 graduate of Oak Hill High School in Wales.

The airmen completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

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RAYMOND — Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Robert W. Hutchins has deployed overseas to a forward operating base to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific, and Europe.

Hutchins is the son of Nancy P. and Robert L. Hutchins of Raymond.

He is a 1987 graduate of Greely High School, Cumberland Center, and earned a Bachelor of Science in 1995 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala.

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GREAT LAKES, Ill. — Navy Seaman Apprentice Scott C. Pierce, son of Sheldon D. Stanley of Auburn and Vanessa J. Pierce of Turner, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command.

During the eight-week program, Pierce completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment.

Pierce is a 2013 graduate of Buckfield High School.

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