NAVY | Keith Coughlin

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Keith Coughlin, son of Wendy Gonzales of Lansing and Richard Coughlin of Justice, Ill., recently completed Naval Nuclear Power Training Pipeline. During the course with Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, N.Y., Coughlin received instruction about nuclear theory, chemistry, physics, reactor operations, safety and security. Upon completion of the course, Coughlin qualified as a Naval nuclear operator. Coughlin is a 2006 graduate of Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing and joined the Navy in October 2006.

AIR FORCE | Jerrell Smith

Air Force Airman Jerrell Smith has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

He is the son of Ayanna Smith, of Palmetto, Ga., and nephew of Toi Wilson-White, of Dolton.

Smith is a 2006 graduate of the Georgia Youth Challenge Academy, Fort Stewart.

AIR FORCE | Eric Rigsby

Air Force Airman Eric Rigsby has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. He is the son of Gerald Rigsby, of Lansing.

Army | Henry Lech III

Army Sgt. Henry Lech III is currently deployed in Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The recently promoted sergeant is a healthcare specialist-combat medic regularly assigned to the 514th Medical Company at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

He has served in the military for two years. The sergeant is the son of Henry Lech Jr., of Merrillville, and Elizabeth Lech, of Steger.

Lech graduated in 1996 from Merrillville High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 2004 from Columbia College Chicago, Ill.

Army | Francisco Castillo

Army National Guard Pvt. Francisco Castillo has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. He is the son of Rosa Guerrero, of Chicago Heights. Castillo is a 2005 graduate of Bloom High School, Chicago Heights.

Army | Gary Griffin

Army National Guard Pvt. Gary Griffin has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area. Griffin is the son of Nancy Griffin, of Hammond, and brother of Wesley Griffin, of Chicago.

Army | Andrea Wright

Army National Guard Pvt. Andrea Wright 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. She is the daughter of Delores Coffey, of Gary, and Kenneth Bryant, of Steger.

Wright is a 2007 graduate of Westside High School, Gary.

Army | Anthony Gallas

Army Sgt. Anthony Gallas 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.

He is the son of Joann Scanlan, of Dyer, and Mike Gallas, of Steger.

The private is a 2005 graduate of Lake Central High School, St. John.