Army National Guard Pvt. Derek Kitchens has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition, core values and physical fitness.
While at Fort Jackson, Kitchens received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and various field training exercises.
Kitchens is the son of Brenda Stone of Clanton.
He is the brother of Shawn Kitchens of Thorsby.
Pvt. Kitchens is a 2002 graduate of Chilton County High School in Clanton.