Army National Guard Pfc. Michael Barker recently 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.
He also 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 field-training exercises.
He is the son of Lori Barker of Jonesboro, Ill., and Hal Barker of Ellabell, Ga.
Barker graduated in 2009 from Anna Jonesboro High School in Anna, Ill.