Hometown Military

Keri A. Vargas has joined the United States Army Reserve under the Delayed Training Program.

The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay reporting for basic military training for up to 270 days. An enlistment in the reserve gives many new soldiers the option to learn a new skill, serve their country, and become eligible to receive more than $7,000 toward a college education, $20,000 for repayment of college loans, and a maximum $5,000 cash bonus.
After completion of basic military training, most soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station.  The recruit qualifies for a $3,000 enlistment bonus.

Vargas, a 2004 graduate of West Bend West High School, Wis., will report to Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo., for active duty on September 1, 2004.
She is the daughter of Darlene Stork of West Bend, Wis., and Jaime Vargas of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Air Force Airman Andre Luiz Brito has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Brito is the son of James Wedertz of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Air Force Senior Airman Joseph M. Martinez III is currently deployed overseas at a forward operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces efforts to disarm and end the current Iraqi regime. Active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation. The focus of the mission is to liberate the Iraqi people, preserve Iraq as a unified state, keep its territorial integrity intact, and help the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political reconstruction.

The airman is a security forces heavy weapons crewmember with four years of military service.  Martinez is a 1999 graduate of Fountain Fort Carson High School, Colo.

Civilian Antoinio L. Lopez, son of Corrina R. Lopez of Pueblo, Colo. and Ron L. Lopez of Pueblo, Colo., recently enlisted in the United States Navy under the Delayed Entry Program at Navy Recruiting District, Denver, Colo.

Lopez will report for active duty to undergo basic training at the Navy's Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill.

Lopez is a 2003 graduate of Central High School of Pueblo, Colo.

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