CRESTVIEW — Air Force Airman 1st Class Travis D. Beard has 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.

Beard's parents are Kelli and Joe Crum and Alex Beard of Crestview.

Beard, a 2012 Crestview High School graduate, is stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Okla.

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

CRESTVIEW — William “Bill” Everett of Baker has been recognized for more than five years’ service to the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

He was chief of staff and then commander of Region IV, encompassing some of the order’s most active departments; he earned the Distinguished Service Award during the order’s annual convention Aug. 10 in Rogers, Ark.

John Bircher, national MOPH public director, cited Everett's concern about the welfare and well-being of all his “troops,” adding, "Everett reaches out, not just to provide guidance, but also to volunteer a helping hand regardless of the time, distance, effort or difficulty of the endeavor.”

Everett has traveled to and assisted a department whose chapters were ravaged by a hurricane or tornado; helped form new chapters in departments whose numbers were diminishing; and assisted all departments in developing new Purple Heart cities, counties and states throughout the Southeast Region.

"Everett’s organizational abilities are legend, including the organization of the 2010 National Convention, numerous events at Eglin Air Force Base to honor POWs and MIAs, Florida’s Fallen Heroes, and First Responder events throughout the region,” Bircher said.

Everett’s efforts to save money and provide early guidance to departments and chapters are recognized in extended leadership and region meetings being held this year after the order's national convention.

"Everett’s performance as Region IV commander has brought great credit to himself and the leadership of the order, as well as honor and distinction to MOPH Region IV and its departments, chapters and members. Patriot Everett's passion for his mission is second to none," Bircher stated.

The organization now known as the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc. formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat-wounded veterans and active duty men and women. Their sacrifice earned them the Purple Heart Medal.

With MOPH Service Foundation grants, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote patriotism, fraternalism, and preservation of America's military history. They provide comfort and assistance to all veterans and their families, especially those requiring VA claims assistance, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Everett, Baker veteran, earns MOPH’s Distinguished Service Award

The Department of Defense will extend benefits to uniformed service members and DOD civilian employees’ same-sex spouses by Sept. 3, as long as service member-sponsors provide a valid marriage certificate.

The decision follows consultation with the Department of Justice and other executive branch agencies and review of the Defense Department's benefit policies following the Supreme Court's ruling that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.

Benefits such as TRICARE enrollment, basic housing and family separation allowance are retroactive to the date of the Supreme Court's decision. For members married after June 26, 2013, benefits begin at the marriage date.

DOD will grant non-chargeable leave to same-sex military couples who must travel from their stationed area to marry legally in another jurisdiction. This will accelerate access to full benefits offered to married military couples throughout the department, and help level the playing field between opposite-sex and same-sex couples seeking to be married, a DOD spokesperson said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Defense Department: Same-sex spouse benefits take effect Sept. 3

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — In warfare, they say, those who control the skies have the best chance of winning battles on the ground. If that’s the case, Air Force Tech. Sgt. LaToya Cleveland — whose husband, Larry, is the son of Patricia Rentz of Crestview — is ahead of the game.

Cleveland is working with the newest, most advanced aircraft in the Department of Defense arsenal, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, at Eglin Air Force Base. She uses it for the 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing here.

The F-35, which has unprecedented avionics advances and a high level of combat survivability, is difficult to be detected by enemy fighters. It is fast, has increased maneuverability and pilots have a 360-degree view inside their helmets with digital views beyond peripheral.

"The F-35 is significantly smaller and faster. It's a fifth-generation aircraft, so it's more modern, and its capabilities are unmatched," Cleveland said.

The F-35, which is in testing, is being used for training.

Clevelandjoined the Air Force in 1999 and has been stationed in South Carolina, North Dakota, Florida and Germany. She has been deployed to Kuwait and Guam.

She said her next goal is to become a first sergeant, advising the commander on the enlisted force and managing assigned enlisted personnel.

Shannon Collins is a reporter with the Joint Hometown News Service, Fort Meade, Md.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Woman with Crestview ties helps U.S. Air Force control the skies

CRESTVIEW — The National Guard’s recruiting drive and community outreach open house is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Crestview Armory, 1518 E. James Lee Blvd.

See weapon and vehicle displays and learn about the National Guard mission, soldiers’ equipment and the National Guard’s benefits and opportunities.

The 870th EN CO recently returned from Afghanistan deployment. This is the first time all soldiers will be back on duty. Mayor David Cadle and other city officials will help welcome the soldiers home.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: National Guard plans Sept. 7 Open House at Crestview Armory

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — The Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)’s newest commander is Col. Christopher Riga.

Riga — who enlisted in the Army in 1987 after graduating from Columbia University — has served as commander of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)’s 1st Battalion and as a military assistant to the Secretary of the Army.

He replaced Col. Antonio Fletcher, who led the 7th Group for two years.

A priority as commander is to ensure his soldiers — great Americans, as he calls them — are taken care of and their families are at home, Riga said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Riga named new 7th Special Forces Group commander

NICEVILLE — Okaloosa County Public Safety’s Have a Heart 5K run and walk is 7:30 a.m. Aug. 24 at 911 Emergency Operations Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

The event's organizers seek sponsors for overseas participants.

More than 60 soldiers of the 143rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, stationed in Kuwait, will run the race at their base.

“We are asking for a sponsor of these soldiers … so we can ship them race shirts no later than Aug. 10, as well as collect donation items for their race packets,” Ken Wolfe, Emergency Management and race coordinator, said.

Funds raised for the Have a Heart 5K Run/Walk will go toward the American Heart Association & Wounded Warrior Project

For details or to sponsor the 143rd, contact Ken Wolfe, 850-651-7150 or kwolfe@co.okaloosa.fl.us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5K organizers seek sponsors to send T-shirts to U.S. soldiers overseas

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Army National Guard Pfc. Cody J. Small has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During 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.

He also received instruction on 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.

Small graduated from Baker School in 2011; his parents are Audrey and Tim Small of Baker.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Small graduates from Fort Jackson military training

NICEVILLE — JDAM International employees on Eglin Air Force Base donated their time, talents and hard work during a recent "Wingman Day" to spruce up Children in Crisis Neighborhood.

Children in Crisis, along with Sharon Pedersen and Steve Baldock of JDAM, coordinated the workday, which included lawn maintenance and spring-cleaning of foster homes. Workdays, every Saturday morning and selected weekdays, allow volunteers to maintain and improve the facility.

"Members of the JDAM International team were willing to roll up their sleeves and support our worthy cause … It’s all about the kids!" Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, said.

LEARN MORE

The Children’s Neighborhood is an emergency shelter and foster home provider for children removed without notice from an unsafe environment.

Call 864-4242 or visit www.childrenincrisisfl.org for more details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Eglin JDAM employees conduct Children in Crisis Wingman Day