Mantia completes Army chaplin course

Army National Guard Pfc. Kaitlyn M. Mantia has graduated from the Chaplain Assistant Advanced Individual Training course at the Chaplain School, Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

The course emphasized religious support, development of interpersonal skills, and unit ministry support to soldiers and family members.  The support training provided services in a battlefield environment and battle fatigue casualty care.

Religious support classes instructed students to prepare altars for Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and Orthodox worship services, and stressed the importance of being knowledgeable of all faith groups represented in the Army.

Mantia is the daughter of Kimberly and James Mantia of Port Orchard.

She is a 2011 graduate of South Kitsap High School ans she received an associate degree in 2011 from Olympic College in Bremerton.

Puckett graduates from basic training

Army Spec. Joshua M. Puckett 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.

Puckett is the son of John and Tina Puckett of Port Orchard.

The 2007 graduate of South Kitsap High School earned his bachelor’s degree in 2011 from St. Martins University in Lacey.