Army Pvt. Kenneth J. Merchant has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Benning, Ga.
The trainee received nine weeks' instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history, traditions and core values.
Merchant, the son of John Merchant and ward of Nicole Powers of Crestview, is a 2014 Crestview High School graduate.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Merchant graduates from combat training