Smith graduates with honors from Army's basic training

On February 25, 2011, Private First Class Colton Jerome Smith graduated basic training in Alpha Battery, 1/19 Field Artillery, 4th Platoon in the United States Army, at Fort Sill, Okla. Colton is the son of Chelsey Smith and grandson of Bruce and Deb Walter of Odessa. His wife, Taylor Smith, his mother Chelsey Smith and his grandmother Deb Walter were all able to attend the ceremony.

Along with one other person, Smith was the leader of his platoon, nicknamed the Raiders, consisting of 60 to 70 soldiers.

The graduation was held in Lawton, Okla., about two miles from the base. Smith graduated with honors. Honor graduates are picked from the top 10% of their class, and during the nine weeks of basic training have displayed the “Seven Army Values” in every task they have accomplished. The Seven Army Values are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Smith also received a commendation for winning his platoon’s hand-to-hand combat event. After introduction, the soldiers stood up and recited the ‘Soldier’s Creed.’ “It gave us goosebumps,” said Walter.

When the ceremony was nearly over, the group stood up and sang “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” after which their drill sergeant stood up and began a singing cadence with the soldiers singing back as they walked out in single file. “If anyone has the chance to go to a basic training graduation, it is something you won’t forget,” Walter said.

Smith is now at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas where his wife has joined him. He is attending school to become a radiology specialist, which will be his job in the Army, and will finish at the end of August. He will then be stationed at an Army hospital for 20 weeks of internship. His long-term goal is to become an oral surgeon.