News : Vinton\'s newest Marine earned Sharpshooter status at basic training

Kaylee Graves of Vinton completed Marine basic training with Sharpshooter status.

Friends and family gathered to welcome Kaylee Graves home after she completed basic training.

Private Kaylee Graves: Vinton woman's first official photo as U.S. Marine.

“Marines are the best.”

That advice from Kaylee Graves’ aunt Aimee Redlinger was a big factor in Graves’ decision to join the Marines instead of the Navy.

After the death of her cousin, Emma Redlinger, Graves, who graduated early this year from Vinton-Shellsburg, decided to join the military. She had considered the Navy before her conversation with Aimee.

Graves completed basic training recently at Parris Island. After a very short visit home, where friends and family gathered last weekend to congratulate the newest local Marine, she returned to the East Coast for firearms training.

One of the better shooters in her unit, Graves earned the second-highest rank of Sharpshooter, just a few points shy of earning Expert designation, something only three members of her unit achieved.

After completing this round of training, Private Graves will begin her Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) area of intelligence. She plans to be stationed in Japan upon completion of her training next year.