Military digest 4/30/07

Two area men finish basic training in Texas

Air Force Airman Darel R. Roberts and Airman 1st Class Zachary W. Mais graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Roberts, the son of Robin Roberts and Melba Taylor, both of Jackson, is a 2006 graduate of Jackson High School. Mais, the son of Holly Brown of Jackson, is a 2004 graduate of Jackson High School.

3 graduate from Officer Candidate School

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- In a Capitol Rotunda ceremony, 2nd Lts. Nicholas Swoboda and Matthew Knoderer of Cape Girardeau and Erika Wall of Waynesville, Mo., recently graduated from the Accelerated Army Officer Candidate School. They were three of eight Missouri Army National Guard officer candidates honored. Swoboda has accepted a position in the 1137th Military Police Company of Jackson. Knoderer has accepted a position in the 220th Engineer Company of Festus. Wall has accepted a position in the 1137th Military Police Company of Jackson. Missouri's traditional Officer Candidate School involves training one weekend a month for 18 months.

Private completes combat training

Army Pvt. Bethany L. Hahs graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. She is the daughter of Cindy Harkey of Cape Girardeau and is a 1999 graduate of Kirkwood (Mo.) High School, Mo.

-- From staff reports