Active Duty

Marine Corps Pfc. Tyler J. Chittick recently graduated with honors from basic training at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, San Diego. The son of Trent and Pam Chittick of Mukilteo, he graduated from Kamiak High School in 2004. His seven-year journey to become a member of the Marine Corps began after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, his mother said.

While in high school Chittick trained for boot camp with Everett recruiting officers. After graduating from Kamiak, however, his enlistment was denied based on a medical assessment of his shoulder, which had been injured in a high school wrestling accident.

Chittick was told to try again in three years. He went to work in a local gym and trained on the side as a bodybuilder and power lifter. He learned how to fly a helicopter and became an instructor, graduating at the top of his class at the flight academy where he studied. Then he sought enlistment in the Marine Corps again.

His boot camp honors included the top physical fitness test score, the Leatherneck Award for accomplishments in training and being named Guide of the Honor Patrol.

Army National Guardsmen from Everett assumed responsibility for base defense operations and force protection during a transfer of authority ceremony Nov. 16 at Contingency Operating Base Q-West in Iraq. Soldiers from the 81st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 81st Brigade Combat Team, Washington Army National Guard, assumed authority from Task Force 113, 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Muncie, Ind., Indiana Army National Guard.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Jason Mulherin has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Mulherin is the son of Suzanne Kamiya of Everett and a 2003 graduate of Inglemoor High School in Kenmore.

Air Force Airman Joshua E. Gronbach has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Gronbach is the son of Erik E. and Paula Gronbach of Oak Harbor. The airman is a 2008 graduate of Oak Harbor High School.

Navy Seaman Shelby A. Court, daughter of Pamela A. and Adam Court of Lake Stevens, recently completed basic training at Navy Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

Air Force Airman Sierra R. Barney has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Vicky Barney of Everett and is a 2008 graduate of Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek.

Navy Seaman Apprentice Lisa M. Mitchell, daughter of Betty Mitchell of Nine Mile Falls and William Mitchell of Snohomish, recently completed basic training at Navy Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Mitchell is a 2004 graduate of Mariner High School in Everett.

To submit an entry for Active Duty, contact Gale Fiege at 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.