CHARLESTON, S.C. — Citadel Class of 2015 graduate William Bearden Jr. of Crestview has commissioned into the U.S. Air Force.

Families, friends, faculty and staff gathered last month to honor newly commissioned officers at the Summerall Chapel on The Citadel campus. Commissioning cadets and students took oaths accepting their appointments as officers in the U.S. armed services.

Bearden received a BSBA in Business Administration during commencement on May 9.

The Citadel's graduates are not required to serve in the military but about 30 percent of each class commission as officers in every branch of U.S. military service.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bearden, Crestview resident, commissions into U.S. Air Force

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — The 53rd Wing change of command ceremony will occur 8:53 a.m. June 18.

Col. Adrian Spain will assume command of the wing from Col. Alexus Grynkewich. Spain was most recently the commandant of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Grynkewich will depart for his new position at the Pentagon, Washington D.C.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Eglin's 53rd Wing is under new command

In celebration of Okaloosa County’s 2015 Centennial, the Military Community Covenant has been renewed and signed by elected officials in Okaloosa County.

The covenant was originally written and signed in 2009 by 40 people in the community, including citizens, military families and civic leaders, as well as federal, state and local elected officials. It will be presented throughout the year to military installations in the county.

“I can think of no better way to celebrate our Centennial than by renewing our commitment to the military service members and their families, who have been an integral part of our community for much of our history as a county,” stated Commission Chairman Nathan Boyles. “We are a military first community and we remain resilient and supportive as evidenced by the response to the recent helicopter crash," he added.

In 2009 the Military Community Covenant welcomed the new Joint Strike Fighter and the 7th Special Forces Group, and recognized all military families. The renewal recognizes all service members and their families as Okaloosa turns 100, as noted in the excerpt below: 

“The commitment and increasing sacrifices that all our military families are making every day … The strength of our service members comes from the strength of their families …the strength of families is supported by the strength of the community … The strength of the community comes from the support of everyone in the community.”

The covenant is an initiative that was started by the U.S. Army to foster and sustain effective state and community partnerships to improve the quality of life for soldiers and their families. To read the entire Military Community Covenant go to http://bit.ly/1B5c1Kn.

To get a copy of the Military Community Covenant, email Kathy Newby, knewby@co.okaloosa.fl.us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa commissioners renew the Military Community Covenant

Air Force Airman Kaylee M. Allen and U.S. Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Tristan M. Gilbert graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airmen completed an 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.

Allen, a 2013 Crestview High School graduate, is the daughter of Eric and Donna Marshall of Crestview. She is the sister of Amanda A. Scafie of Fort Bragg, N.C., and Frank Viola of St. Marys, Ga.

Gilbert's parents are William Gilbert of Tallahassee and Alisha Mihelich of Crestview. His step-parents are James Mihelich of Crestview and Becca Gilbert of Tallahassee.

He graduated in 2014 from Bellevue West Senior High School, Bellevue, Neb.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Allen and Gilbert complete military training

Air Force Airman Kaitlynn M. Slevin graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman 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.

Slevin, a 2013 Crestview High School graduate, earned distinction as an honor graduate. Her parents are Shannon M. Sanders of Crestview, and Jason A. Slevin of Niceville.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Slevin completes Air Force basic training

Air Force Airman Tyler M. Shaw graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman 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.

Shaw's parents are Brian Shaw of Ferndale, Mich., and Becky Shaw of Warren, Mich. He's the brother of Chelsey Wingate of Crestview.

He graduated in 2013 from Hazel Park High School, Hazel Park, Mich.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Man with Crestview ties completes Air Force basic training

Army Pfc. Samantha L. Skipper 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, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Skipper, whose mother is Shannon Skipper of Holt, is a 2012 graduate of Baker High School, Baker.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker graduate completes basic combat training