thedrifter
02-24-04, 12:48 PM
Young Marine Corps welcomes hard chargers
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200422218417
Story by Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Sloan
CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan -- The Surfside Club here was filled to capacity Feb. 7 as proud family members and friends gathered for the graduation ceremony of Young Marines Platoon 1018. The platoon's 16 young members, ages 8-13, held their heads high as senior drill instructor Master Sgt. Elijah B. McDaniel Jr., congratulated and presented each with the prestigious title `Young Marine.'
The program was founded in 1958 in Waterbury, Ct., by members of the Brass City Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Its mission is to positively impact America's future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free life style, according to the Young Marines official website, www.theyoungmarines.org.
The road to become a Young Marine is difficult and challenging, according to McDaniel, staff non commissioned officer in charge, Receiving Storage Section, Material Readiness Company, 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion, 3rd FSSG.
"When we started, these children were lacking in self-confidence and some of them had to make major improvements in their physical fitness levels," said McDaniel. "Many of them didn't believe in themselves and some couldn't do a single pullup."
Over the course of 13 weeks though, that all changed. Every Saturday, the recruits (now Young Marines), from different elementary and junior high schools on island, met with their drill instructors and learned general Young Marine subjects, McDaniel said.
"Me and my drill instructors taught them first aid, close order drill, Young Marine history, land navigation, customs and courtesies, and military rank structure," McDaniel said. "We also put them through tough physical fitness training."
The training was hard on the Young Marines, and the idea of quiting did enter their minds at first.
"The first week, most of them wanted to quit, but I told them they couldn't," McDaniel said. "I did everything in my power to help them out and see to it that they made it all the way through."
McDaniel talked with each member, telling them they could do anything they put their minds to.
"I motivated them by telling them how proud all their parents and friends would be when they graduated," McDaniel said.
McDaniel and his drill instructors saw the young members of their platoon make changes mentally and physically as they developed into Young Marines.
"I saw their confidence level increase and they became stronger and faster," Lance Cpl. John C. Lovely, TMO specialist, Company A, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd FSSG and Platoon 1018 drill instructor. "They now have an increased respect for their elders, follow orders better and are able to physically accomplish things most children their age couldn't."
The Honor Graduate award went to Kadena Middle School seventh grader, Sarah S. Yang. During the graduation ceremony she was meritoriously promoted to the rank of private first class.
"My father being in the Marine Corps is what motivated me to become a Young Marine and graduate at the top of my platoon," the 13-year-old Yang said as she sat with her polished black boots pointed in a 45-degree angle. "I studied my knowledge everyday and worked out a lot."
Eight-year-old Linda E. Lovell, was the recipient of the High Point Physical Fitness Test award with a score of 275.
"I like running PFTs and testing my fitness level," the Kinser Elementary School 3rd grader said.
The Gung-Ho award went to Adrian Adame, 11-year-old Kinser Junior High School sixth grader.
"I was the loudest out of all the other recruits," Adame said. "I always gave everything I had."
After the graduation ceremony, proud mothers, fathers, other family members and friends, showered the new Young Marines with praise. The Young Marine Corps has 16 new members, the recent Graduates of Platoon 1018.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004222185018/$file/Release0057-2004-01low.jpg
CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan - Gunnery Sgt. Gary T. Belton, commanding officer for Young Marines, Camp KInser, introduces platoon 1018's four drill instructors during the platoon's graduation ceremony at the Kinser Surfside Feb. 7. (from left to right) drill instructor Lance Cpl. John C. Lovely; drill instructor Lance Cpl. Juan M. Monroy; drill instructor Gunnery Sg.t Derick M. Muldrow and senior drill instructor Master Sgt. Elijah B. McDaniel Jr. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Sloan
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/04BBA74C3667B3B885256E4200821B76?opendocument
The Drifter
:marine:
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200422218417
Story by Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Sloan
CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan -- The Surfside Club here was filled to capacity Feb. 7 as proud family members and friends gathered for the graduation ceremony of Young Marines Platoon 1018. The platoon's 16 young members, ages 8-13, held their heads high as senior drill instructor Master Sgt. Elijah B. McDaniel Jr., congratulated and presented each with the prestigious title `Young Marine.'
The program was founded in 1958 in Waterbury, Ct., by members of the Brass City Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Its mission is to positively impact America's future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free life style, according to the Young Marines official website, www.theyoungmarines.org.
The road to become a Young Marine is difficult and challenging, according to McDaniel, staff non commissioned officer in charge, Receiving Storage Section, Material Readiness Company, 3rd Materiel Readiness Battalion, 3rd FSSG.
"When we started, these children were lacking in self-confidence and some of them had to make major improvements in their physical fitness levels," said McDaniel. "Many of them didn't believe in themselves and some couldn't do a single pullup."
Over the course of 13 weeks though, that all changed. Every Saturday, the recruits (now Young Marines), from different elementary and junior high schools on island, met with their drill instructors and learned general Young Marine subjects, McDaniel said.
"Me and my drill instructors taught them first aid, close order drill, Young Marine history, land navigation, customs and courtesies, and military rank structure," McDaniel said. "We also put them through tough physical fitness training."
The training was hard on the Young Marines, and the idea of quiting did enter their minds at first.
"The first week, most of them wanted to quit, but I told them they couldn't," McDaniel said. "I did everything in my power to help them out and see to it that they made it all the way through."
McDaniel talked with each member, telling them they could do anything they put their minds to.
"I motivated them by telling them how proud all their parents and friends would be when they graduated," McDaniel said.
McDaniel and his drill instructors saw the young members of their platoon make changes mentally and physically as they developed into Young Marines.
"I saw their confidence level increase and they became stronger and faster," Lance Cpl. John C. Lovely, TMO specialist, Company A, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd FSSG and Platoon 1018 drill instructor. "They now have an increased respect for their elders, follow orders better and are able to physically accomplish things most children their age couldn't."
The Honor Graduate award went to Kadena Middle School seventh grader, Sarah S. Yang. During the graduation ceremony she was meritoriously promoted to the rank of private first class.
"My father being in the Marine Corps is what motivated me to become a Young Marine and graduate at the top of my platoon," the 13-year-old Yang said as she sat with her polished black boots pointed in a 45-degree angle. "I studied my knowledge everyday and worked out a lot."
Eight-year-old Linda E. Lovell, was the recipient of the High Point Physical Fitness Test award with a score of 275.
"I like running PFTs and testing my fitness level," the Kinser Elementary School 3rd grader said.
The Gung-Ho award went to Adrian Adame, 11-year-old Kinser Junior High School sixth grader.
"I was the loudest out of all the other recruits," Adame said. "I always gave everything I had."
After the graduation ceremony, proud mothers, fathers, other family members and friends, showered the new Young Marines with praise. The Young Marine Corps has 16 new members, the recent Graduates of Platoon 1018.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004222185018/$file/Release0057-2004-01low.jpg
CAMP KINSER, Okinawa, Japan - Gunnery Sgt. Gary T. Belton, commanding officer for Young Marines, Camp KInser, introduces platoon 1018's four drill instructors during the platoon's graduation ceremony at the Kinser Surfside Feb. 7. (from left to right) drill instructor Lance Cpl. John C. Lovely; drill instructor Lance Cpl. Juan M. Monroy; drill instructor Gunnery Sg.t Derick M. Muldrow and senior drill instructor Master Sgt. Elijah B. McDaniel Jr. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Sloan
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/04BBA74C3667B3B885256E4200821B76?opendocument
The Drifter
:marine: