Seth M. Hildebrand was one of five cadets commissioned as a second lieutenant in the California National Guard Friday afternoon through the ROTC training at Fresno State University.
Hildebrand was a product of Ripon Elementary and Colony Oak schools and Central Catholic High School in Modesto where he played varsity football. He majored in law enforcement at Fresno. Brigadier General James T. Cook was the speaker for the commissioning ceremonies.
Seth’s dad Dee Hildebrand and his grandfather Dean Whitmore took part in the ceremony by placing his lieutenant’s clapboards on his shoulders. His mother was presented a small bouquet of flowers for her support in her son’s training.
Family and friends attended the event from as far away as Sacramento, Ripon and Nevada.
Hildebrand will remain in Fresno as a recruiter until June when he will go on to undergo armor training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.
The U.S. Army established the Army ROTC program at the California State University, Fresno in 1981. Since 1983 the program has rapidly expanded from three drill and ceremony classes each week to a complete Military Science curriculum.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Justin A. Haxton, son of Jeannine A. and Keith A. Haxton of Manteca recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Haxton completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations”. This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. “Battle Stations” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly ‘’Navy’’ flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Haxton is a 2007 graduate of Manteca High School.
Kimberly M. Wall graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
The 31 days of training provide the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet’s officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet’s intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet’s performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.
Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard, or Reserve.
The cadet is a student at Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Mo.
She is the daughter of Keith Wall and Patricia Djaker of Ripon.
Wall is a 2007 graduate of Ripon High School.
During the eight-week program, Blackburn completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
Blackburn is a 2008 graduate of Sierra High School.
