Former Cape man graduates from basic training at age 38

Chris Rice, 38, of Smithville, Mo., graduated from basic training at the Recruit Training Command center, Great Lakes, Ill. in February. He is the son of Rodger and Jean Rice of Cape Girardeau and a 1985 graduate of Central High School.

According to Rice, the Navy recruits up to 37 years of age, and he was that age when he filled out the paperwork and signed on for eight years as a reservist.

Although he has lived on his own since age 17 and has already raised a family, he said learned a lot during the monthlong training and is prepared to serve when he's called to active duty.

Rice works as a network administrator and will continue with his full-time job, his monthly commitment to the Navy and his part-time work as a volunteer firefighter in Smithville.

Navy airmen back in home port after deployment

Navy Airmen Amanda S. Tanner and Tyler J. Mungle recently returned from a routine scheduled deployment, while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, homeported in Norfolk, Va. Tanner is a 2004 graduate of Scott City High School in Scott City, who joined the Navy in June 2004. Mungle, son of Tracy Mungle of Sedgewickville, Mo., is a 2003 graduate of Meadow Heights High School of Patton, Mo. He joined the Navy in June 2003.

Sitze graduates from Army advanced training

Army National Guard Pvt. Penny N. Sitze has graduated from the Automated Logistical Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School, Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va. She is the daughter of Billy K. and June Sitze of Marble Hill, Mo. Sitze is a 2004 graduate of Woodland High School in Marble Hill.

Clubb completes Navy basic training

Navy Seaman Joseph L. Clubb, son of Virginia L. Burlhett of Marble Hill, Mo., and Larry R. Clubb of Puxico, Mo., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Clubb is a 2004 graduate of Zalma High School of Zalma, Mo.

Benton native graduates from basic training

Air Force Airman Tyler J. Long has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Long is the son of Julia Long of Benton, Mo. He is a 2004 graduate of Thomas W. Kelly High School, Benton.

-- From staff reports

By Chris Pagano ~ Southeast Missourian

Capt. Jon T. Robinson recently received the Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot of the Month award for outstanding organizational and communication skills while overseeing ground operations during a war.

He was nominated by his mother, a member of the John Guild Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Robinson is a 1991 graduate of Central High School and a 1996 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University.

Robinson was promoted to first lieutenant while serving in Valdosta, Ga., in 1998; to captain while at Misawa Air Base, Japan, in 2000.

He received the Air Force Achievement medal in 1998 and 2000, the Joint Service Achievement medal in 2001, the Air Force Commendation medal in 2002, National Defense medal in 2003 and NATO medal in 2003.

Robinson's awards include the 35th Logistics Group Commissioning Grade Officer for the quarter in 1999 and 2001, the Squadron Commissioning Grade Officer of the year in 2000 and 2001, Commissioning Grade Officer of Detachment 3 of the 721st Air Mobility Operations Group in 2001 and 2002, and the Expeditionary Wing Commissioning Grade Officer of Kyrgyzstan's Manas Air Base in 2004.

Robinson returned to the United States after a three-year tour in Italy to finish his master's degree in logistic readiness operations. McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, is his current residence.

He is the son of Nancy Nussbaum Robinson and Van T. Robinson of Cape Girardeau. He and his wife, Cary Ellen, have a son, Ian.