Tasia T. Hawks

U.S. Army Pvt. Tasia T. Hawks has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Jackson, 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.

Hawks is the daughter of Emmitt and Kimsung Hawks, of Suffolk. She graduated in 2015 from King’s Fork High School.

Jefferson earns award

Dwight A. Jefferson Jr., an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, N.C., received the George C. Marshall Award during an awards ceremony at the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

The award is named in the honor and legacy of General of the Army George C. Marshall, who served in World War II as the Army Chief of Staff and in the post-war era served as secretary of state and secretary of defense. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding senior cadets in military science studies and leadership values in each battalion at host universities or colleges. Top cadets from each cadet battalion represent the very best of a highly selective organization. This is a national award and the highest award an ROTC cadet can receive.

The cadets participate in focus groups and round table discussions and lectures on the theme of the national security of the U.S. and the Army’s security role in the international arena. Cadets receive formal speeches from the highest echelons of the U.S. Army’s leadership ranks, scholars and experts in the area of national defense.

Jefferson is the grandson of Rudy Briggs of Muskegon, Mich.

He is a 2011 graduate of Lakeland High School.

Imani B. Lee

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Imani B. Lee graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Lee is the daughter of Bre Lee, of Suffolk, and Wallace Lee, of Norfolk. She is a 2015 graduate of Redan High School, Stone Mountain, Ga.