IN UNIFORM

Competed

Army Staff Sgt. Randall L. Summerford participated in the 33rd U.S. Army Annual Culinary Arts Competition at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va. This year's competition featured more than 160 military chefs from around the globe battling in more than 40 culinary categories. The competition is rated the largest culinary competition in America, which includes ice carving and showcase centerpieces.

The two-week competition involved Army soldier-chefs, both active duty and reserve components, as well as members from other branches of the U.S. armed forces. The competitions allows service members to sharpen and broaden their cooking, baking, roasting and pouching skills to stay on the cutting edge of culinary techniques. Their culinary skills ultimately benefit military service members eating in dining and mess hall facilities and battlefield kitchens serving soldiers in combat zones.

Summerford, a senior food operations sergeant, is assigned to the 1st Corps, Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

He is the son of Randall L. Summerford Sr. of Oxnard. In 1991, the sergeant graduated from Oxnard High School.

Deployed

Cpl. Earl Richard Jay of Camarillo has been deployed with 570 other Marines associated with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, which left Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, in three groups March 20, 22 and 25 for Iraq.

The squadron will provide aviation ground support and combat service support to Multinational Force West in Anbar province. It is expected that the Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 will return to Okinawa later this year.

Jay is a tactical data network specialist assigned to the squadron and received his promotion from lance corporal to corporal on July 1. He attended Adolfo Camarillo High School and Moorpark College.

Returned

Army National Guard Spec. Jorge A. Jaimes has returned to Detachment 1, Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 143rd Field Artillery, Concord, Calif., after being deployed to an overseas forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

He is the son of Juana A. Soriano of Santa Paula. The specialist is a 2005 graduate of Santa Paula High School.

Graduated

Navy Seaman Recruit Andrew G. Taylor completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Taylor completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.

He is the son of Jennifer M. German of Shafter and Hans B. Taylor of Ventura. Taylor is a 2006 graduate of Shafter High School.

Army Spc. Thomas J. Lopez has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

He is the son of Richard Lopez of Camarillo. Lopez received a bachelor's degree in 2006 from the University of Illinois, Champaign.

Army Pvt. Justin B. Sullivan has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.

He is the son of John Sullivan of Port Hueneme. Sullivan graduated in 2003 from Buena High School in Ventura.