First Lt. Hugh Griffin, the son of Charles and Debi Griffin of Bainbridge and commander of Delta Company Second Battalion 58th Infantry 98th Brigade at Fort Benning, Ga., recently talked about the importance of  the infantry during a Veterans Day luncheon address at the Kirbo Center.

At the luncheon, sponsored by VFW Post 4904, he emphasized that the overall goal of infantry training today is to produce a smarter more disciplined soldier.

From 1999 to 2004, Griffin served as a congressional escort in Washington, D.C. In 2003 and 2004, he escorted congressmen overseas, serving as their personal security.

He explained that today’s initial basic training course lasts nine weeks. He said it is expanded to 24 weeks to turn out a fully trained infantry soldier, who is taught to use core muscle groups daily.

During his military career, Griffin, a 1996 graduate of Bainbridge High School,  has received the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.

In 2005 and 2006, he served in Diyala Province and Anbar Province, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.