Completes basic training at U.S.M.A.

Cadet Aimee Oertner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Oertner of Slatington has completed Cadet Basic Training at the U.S. Military Academy.

Oertner entered U.S. Military Academy on July 2 and has successfully completed six weeks of Cadet Basic Training. Also referred to as "Beast Barracks," CBT is one of the most challenging events a cadet will encounter over the course of their four years at the academy. The initial military training program provides cadets with basic skills to instill discipline, pride, cohesion, confidence and a high sense of duty to prepare them for entry into the Corps of Cadets. Areas of summer instruction included a first aid, mountaineering, hand grenades, rifle marksmanship and nuclear, biological and chemical training.

Oertner began classes Aug. 20. The U.S. Military Academy curriculum offers 45 majors, balancing physical sciences and engineering with humanities and social sciences leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.

Oertner graduated from Northern Lehigh High School where she was named her school's scholar athlete and captained her cross-country, track and field and basketball teams. She earned All-State honors twice in basketball and is the school's all time scoring leader. She looks forward to continuing her athletic career as a member of the women's basketball team at the U.S. Military Academy and she plans to graduate from U.S. Military Academy in 2016 and be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

The mission of the U.S. Military Academy is to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of duty, honor and country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the United States Army.