Air Force Maj. Robert A. Groves has been named Outstanding Air Force Medical Service Educator 2009-Officer Category.

Selection was based on an individual's exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, teamwork, significant self-improvement, personal achievements, notable accomplishments, and community service and support.

He is an education and training flight commander assigned to the 87th Air Base Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, Trenton, N.J. The major has served in the military for 15 years.

Maj. Groves graduated in 1980 from Dalton High School, and received an associate's degree in nursing from Dalton State College. He received a bachelor's degree in nursing from State University of West Georgia at Carrollton.

Area cadets complete training

Six area cadets have graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps' Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as Operation Warrior Forge in Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

The 32-day course trains and evaluates cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism.

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.

* Kristopher A. McNally is the son of Steven J. McNally and LeAnn M. Love, and a graduate of Ooltewah High School.

* Kevin J. A'Hearn is the son of David J. and Darlene M. A'Hearn, and a graduate of Chattanooga Christian School.

* Zachary M. Leftwich is the son of Cindy and Ricky J. Faucett, and Marcus L. Leftwich. He is a graduate of East Ridge High School.

* James J. Kim is the son of Kum and Dong Kim, and a graduate of Ooltewah High School.

* Mark A. Vines is the son of Carolyn S. Vines, and a student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

* Jessica L. Carlock is the daughter of Greg and Maylisa Carlock of LaFayette, Ga. She is a graduate of LaFayette High School.

Ponsler receives scholarship

Kevin C. Ponsler has received a four-year Army Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship from Virginia Military Institute. The cadet is pursuing a degree in psychology. He is the son of Tim S. and Celia B. Ponsler of Signal Mountain, Tenn.

The scholarship will pay all of the student's tuition, on-campus educational fees, a $300 to $500 monthly subsistence allowance, depending on the number years and type of scholarship, and $600 per semester for textbooks, supplies, and equipment.

After graduation, the cadet will be required to serve in the military for eight years.

Hiestand receives promotion

Ian J. Hiestand has been promoted to the rank of private two in the U.S. Army. The private is a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to the 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

Pvt. Hiestand is the son of Lisa M. Sherrell of Rockwood, Tenn., and Robert P. Hiestand of Ringgold, Ga. He is a graduate of Cumberland County High School.

Tromanhauser assigned

Army National Guard Spec. Joshua D. Tromanhauser has arrived at the Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind., as a member of the 38th Infantry Division's Task Force Cyclone to complete mobilization training for deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spec. Tromanhauser is a human resources specialist and has served in the military for three years.

He is the son of Jane Taylor of Indianapolis, and David Tromanhauser of Dayton, Tenn. The specialist is a graduate of Rhea County Academy in Dayton.

Head completes Marine training

Pfc. Marina C. Head recently completed a 12-week basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C.

Pfc. Head and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour team effort and problem-solving program. Pfc. Head earned the distinction of Sharpshooter.

She will be stationed at Fort Geiger, N.C., for combat training before beginning linguist training at Monterey, Calif., in December.

The former Chattanoogan attended Snow Hill Elementary School and Brown Middle School before her family moved to Clarksville, Tenn. She is the daughter of William and Tina Helton of Clarksville, and Jeffrey Head of Columbia, Tenn. She is the granddaughter of William and Elaine Helton of this city.

Veterans honored in Ringgold

Veterans residing in Catoosa and Walker counties will be honored Wednesday at the Veterans Day Celebration to be held on the Benton Place campus in Ringgold, Ga.

"A Tribute to America" begins at 5 p.m. with a veterans program. During the program, the Veteran of the Year and an Outstanding Patriotic Citizen of the Year from Catoosa and Walker counties will be announced.

Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School band will play patriotic music, there will be a candlelight prayer service for troops and an American flag retirement ceremony.

Guests are asked to bring a lawn chair for seating.

Monroe finishes special training

Army Pvt. Jeffrey I. Monroe has graduated from the H-8 Tracked Vehicle Recovery Specialist Course at Fort Knox, Ky.

The course trains students in skills to perform recovery operations using the M88A1/A2 tracked recovery vehicle. It includes field and classroom training in the proper use of tools, equipment and technical data. Students learn to drive, maintain, and perform preventive maintenance on recovery vehicles.

Pvt. Monroe is the son of Cindy K. Shults and a graduate of Sequoyah High School.