Pvt. Gunnar F. Mattson

NORTH ATTLEBORO - Pvt. E-2 Gunnar F. Mattson, of North Attleboro, has successfully completed and graduated from Army Basic Training at Fort Sill, Okla. Mattson was a member of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery and was flag bearer for his platoon. He is the son of Ruth and Ronald Mattson.

Mattson graduated Oct. 23 after an intensive nine week training that was centered on Army core values, traditions and ethics, as well as the development of basic combat skills, with special emphasis on weapons proficiency and physical fitness training.

Skill development, self discipline, team building and individual skills also characterize the overall mission of Army Basic Training. Mattson will remain at Fort Sill for six more weeks of Advanced Individual Training before returning home for leave.

Keri A. Sullivan ATTLEBORO - Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Keri A. Sullivan, the daughter of Lori A. Ernst of Treasure Island, Fla. and Mark E. Sullivan of Attleboro, graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. Sullivan is a 2000 graduate of Somerset High School of Somerset.

During the eight-week training program, Sullivan completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, firefighting and marksmanship.

A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness. Sullivan and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values - honor, respect and devotion to duty - and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. Sullivan will join 36,000 other men and women who comprise Coast Guard's force. Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, Sullivan, and other recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance.

Kelly A. Bennett

ATTLEBORO - Kelly A. Bennett graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. She is the daughter of Gregory P. Gendreau of Pearl Street in Attleboro, and Colleen Kane of Woodacres Road, Amston, Conn. Her husband, Mark, is the son of Mary Bennett of Shultz Road, Brockton.

Bennett is a 2000 graduate of Attleboro High School, and earned a bachelor's degree in 2008 from Stonehill College in Easton. She's a student at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston.

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. After finishing the course, the ROTC program and college graduation, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army, National Guard, or Reserve.