Army National Guard Pvt. Derrick C. Martinez has graduated from the Direct Fire Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training.

During the nine weeks of Basic Combat Training, he was trained in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.

The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train indirect fire infantry soldiers to employ, fire and recover antipersonnel and anti-tank mines; locate, neutralize and extract mines; map reading and ground navigation; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct and camouflage mortar firing positions; operate and maintain mortars and fire control equipment for individual/crew served weapons firing positions.

A 2007 graduate of Carroll Jr.- Sr. High School, he is the son of Melinda Martinez of Lafayette.