Community residents complete Army training

A pair of local residents have completed training with the United States Army.

• James W. Goodgion of Kent graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis.

The 32 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.

Goodgion is a student at Missouri State University and is the son of James E. and Cindy L. Goodgion of Kent. He is a 2006 graduate of Kentlake High School.

• Army Pvt. Jason A. Dudley of Maple Valley has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

During the nine weeks of training, he received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid,Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

He is the son of Sharon Dudley of Maple Valley. Dudley is a 2009 graduate of Tahoma High School.

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