Michael E. Sivard

Pvt. Michael E. Sivard, of Sedalia, recently graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C.

Sivard joined the Missouri National Guard on April 22 to become an AH-64 Apache helicopter repairer with Company D, 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion at Whiteman Air Force Base.

He is attending advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va., where he will receive instruction for his military occupational specialty.

Sivard was recruited by Sgt. Shawn Sapaugh, of Missouri National Guard’s Sedalia recruiting office. He is a 2011 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School.

He is the son of Daryl and Faye Sivard, of Sedalia, and Diane Sivard, of Lincoln, Neb. He has a sister, Meagan Sivard, of Lincoln, Neb.; stepbrother, Clifford Skidmore, of Cameron; and two stepsisters, Sarah Booher, of Omaha, Neb., and Jennifer Gassen, of Sedalia.