Justin Michael Pigford

Justin Michael Pigford has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader’s Training Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

The four-week course is a leadership internship for cadets that can lead to the ultimate goal of becoming an Army officer. College students experience and examine the Army without incurring an obligation to serve in the Army or ROTC, and are eligible to receive two-year college scholarship offers and attend the Advanced ROTC Course at their college.

Cadets are observed and evaluated during classroom and field training exercises to determine their officer potential in leadership abilities and skills. The cadets are trained to have a sound understanding of traditional leadership values during the challenging, motivating “hands-on” training. The training develops well-disciplined, highly motivated, physically conditioned students and helps improve the cadets’ self-confidence, initiative, leadership potential, decision making and collective team cohesion. The cadets receive training in fundamental military skills, Army values, ethics, Warrior ethos, basic rifle marksmanship, small arms tactics, weapons training, drill and ceremony, communications, combat water survival training, rappelling, land navigation and squad-level operations field training.

The cadet is a student at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

He is the son of Lisa Anne LeBlanc of Browning Drive, Luling and David Pigford of Shelby Drive, Westwego.

Pigford is a 2006 graduate of Jesuit High School, New Orleans.

Jenna V. Mitchell

Jenna V. Mitchell has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Washington.

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.

She is the daughter of Genevieve and Billy Caston of S. Sugar Ridge, LaPlace.

Mitchell earned a bachelor’s degree in 2009 from Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi.

Air Force Airman 1st Class

Anna M. Martin

Air Force Airman 1st Class (above) Anna M. Martin graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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.

Martin is the daughter of Frank and the stepdaughter of Candy Martin of W. Heather Drive, Luling.

Her mother, Dana Buckley, resided on Parkway Drive, Denham Springs.

She is a 2009 graduate of Hahnville High School, Boutte.

Air Force Airman 1st Class

Quenisha S. Lane

Air Force Airman 1st Class (below) Quenisha S. Lane graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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.

She is the daughter of Irene Lane of Mockingbird Lane, St. Rose, and sister of Kernell Smith of New Sarpy Road, Montz.

Lane is a 2009 graduate of Destrehan High School.