Army Reserve Lt. Col. Patrick Dardis has graduated from the U.S. Army War College Distance Education class at Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pa. The college is the Army’s senior educational institution.

The two-year Distance Education Class program is equivalent to the college’s one-year resident program that prepares officers of all military services, as well as civilian officials of the federal government, to serve in top-level command and staff positions with the U.S. armed forces.

The student completed the Army’s highest level of formal education, and as a selected leader he is prepared to assume strategic leadership responsibilities in military and national security organizations. Students are selected by a highly competitive selection-board process, and upon graduation they earn a master’s degree in strategic studies.

Dardis is a commander assigned to the 243rd Quartermaster Battalion in Parsons. He is the son of Helen Dardis, Lawrence. His wife, Patricia, resides in Eudora. The colonel graduated in 1970 from Eudora High School. He attended Kansas University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1980 and a master’s degree in 1986.

Army Pfc. Chris Chipman has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga.

During the eight 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.

Chipman is the son of Margaret Chipman, Lawrence. He graduated from Free State High School in 2000.

Army Reserve Pvt. Steven Heinen has arrived at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Md., to complete the fuel and electrical systems repairer advanced individual training course.

The student will be trained to operate and repair of fuel, electronic and electrical systems associated with wheeled and track vehicles. System and component training includes fuel pumps, injectors, governors, wiring harnesses, alternators/generators, starters, regulators and electrical control boxes, direct current electrical motors, air and hydraulic brakes and heater units.

Heinen is the son of Scott and Dee Heinen, Valley Falls. He is a 2002 graduate of Valley Falls High School.