Metcalf
Airman First Class Carl (Mason) Metcalf received the Aviano Air Base, Italy, Airman of the Year 2011 award for his 731st Munitions Squad. This is Aviano’s highest award.
Metcalf is the son of Sherri Morris of Cleveland and Carl Metcalf of Oklahoma City, Okla.
The airman also received the Diamond Sharp Award in August 2011.
The Aviano Diamond Sharp Award is designed to recognize Aviano’s best.
Those airmen who distinguish themselves through outstanding professionalism, impeccable appearance and a “can do” attitude. There is no preparation required to earn the award. The airmen must be recognized by their first sergeants as being among the best and brightest performers.
The award also recognizes the “unsung” hero — airmen who always go above and beyond the call of duty even if they do no get recognized.
Brandon P. Tate
Marine Corps Pvt. Brandon P. Tate, son of Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alex and Casey Zipperer of Birchwood, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Tate and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Tate spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Tate and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values — honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.
Tate and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as “Marines” for the first time in their careers.
Morgan R. Tunell
Army Pvt. Morgan R. Tunell has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, the military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Tunell is the daughter of Ben Tunell of Snellville, Ga., and granddaughter of Jenila Martin of Georgetown. She is a 2008 graduate of Bradley Central High School in Cleveland.
