Rolfs graduates from Basic Military Training

Pvt. Tristan Rolfs graduated from basic military training at Fort Benning, GA December 7, 2018. He is a 2018 graduate of Kee High School in Lansing.

During the 14 weeks of basic training, Pvt. Rolfs 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 the use of various weapons and weapons defenses that are available to the infantry crewmen. Pvt. Rolfs was promoted to Bay Leader and was in charge of 64 fellow soldiers in his barracks.

After graduating basic training, Pvt. Rolfs was accepted into the Honor Guard and is now stationed at Fort Myer, VA as a member of the 4th Battalion, 3rd United States Infantry Regiment. Honor Guard soldiers are selected for special ceremonial units. These soldiers are highly motivated and must uphold the highest standards in the Army, along with meeting a number of criteria. Only a small percentage of soldiers are chosen for the Army Honor Guard, which conducts the nation’s most important ceremonies.

Most recently, Pvt. Rolfs has been training in Missouri and received word that he passed the three tests required to be a member of the United States Army National Capital Region Urban Search and Rescue Team. Once his training is complete, his primary mission will be rescue missions from natural disasters in the national capital region and more importantly high-ranking officials in the capital region. In the event of natural or other disasters, the National Capital Region Urban Search and Rescue Team of nearly two dozen soldiers would be responsible for rescuing high-ranking government officials, such as congressmen, the vice president and the president.

Pvt. Rolfs is the son of Walter and Carla Rolfs of Lansing. His grandparents are Lloyd Rolfs of Lansing, Roberta Rolfs of Waukon and the late Betty and George Smerud of New Albin.