Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Military News

Chris Tollett of Nashville and Michael DeWayne Williams of Rosston were sworn in as the newest members of Co A(-) 1/153 Infantry in the Arkansas Army National Guard at Prescott. Pvt. Tollett was sworn in on January 26 and Pvt. Williams was sworn in on January 21.

Williams and Tollett enlisted as 11 Bravo and will begin basic and individual training July 27 at Fort Benning, Ga., and upon completion they will be eligible to receive up to $9,036 in tuition assistance with the Montgomery G.I. Bill in addition to the monthly pay check.

The following soldiers received promotions in the Army National Guard in Co A(-) 1/153 Infantry located in Prescott:

Pvt. Miles E. Gosvenor was promoted to Private First Class and serves as a auto rifleman. He is currently a senior at Nevada High School. PFC Aaron Hawthorne was promoted to Specialist E-4. He serves as a radio telephone operator and is currently enrolled in school at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. PFC James K. Beasley was promoted to Specialist E-4 and serves as a Grenadier. Pvt. Larry Ray Inscore was promoted to Private E-2 and serves as an ammo handler. Pvt. Anthony Dale Overton was promoted to Private E-2 and serves as ammo handler. Pvt. Seth Jacob Collins was promoted to Private First Class and serves as ammo handler. PFC Michael P. Fountain was promoted to Specialist and serves as grenadier. PFC Tobin J. Watson was promoted to Specialist and serves as machine gunner.

Army National Guard Pvt. Michael S. Stokes has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consisted of basic military training and advanced individual training (AIT).

During basic training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremonies, map reading, tactics, military customs and courtesies, physical fitness, and first aid. The recruit developed combat skills and handled various weapons availalbe to the infantry soldier.

During AIT, the soldier received instruction to qualify as a light-weapons infantryman and an indirect fire crewman assigned to a rifle or mortar squad. Instruction included weapons qualifications, tactics, patrolling, field communications, combat operations, and survival during a nuclear, biological or chemical attack.

Stokes is the son of Michael E. and Rita S. Stokes of Rural Route 2, Prescott. He is a 1998 graduate of Prescott High School.