thedrifter
03-21-05, 08:18 AM
Young Marines play firefighter for a day
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 2005320224631
Story by Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan (March 18, 2005) -- Walk into any elementary school classroom and ask the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
The kids will excitedly shout out:
“Astronaut!”
“Policeman!”
“Firefighter!”
Fifty-one Young Marines got a taste of what it may be like to try one of these occupations when they made a visit to the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting section, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Feb. 19. The Young Marines, ranging from ages eight to 18, found out it’s possible to combine two exciting jobs into one – that of a U.S. Marine and a firefighter.
The Young Marines program is designed to develop leadership skills and build moral character in its members. Each Young Marine earns their title by completing a 26-hour orientation program, also fondly known as “boot camp.” While in the program, the youth learn new skills that aid them in their careers as Young Marines.
“We initially just wanted to have a former Young Marine sergeant major, who was working (at ARFF), come in and talk to the Young Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Gary A. Wilson, officer in charge, Camp Foster Young Marines. “(The Marine firefighter) offered to speak to the kids and show them what he did for a living. It seemed like a good field trip for the Young Marines.”
“We split the kids into three groups, so every kid could learn the basic techniques to put out a fire,” said Staff Sgt. Bobby L. Clark, an ARFF section leader. “They learned the ropes out here, everything from bunker drills (donning a fire-protection suit) to discharging water out of a (fire hose) to putting out a simulated fire made out of traffic cones.”
In addition to learning how to put the fire out, the Young Marines also learned that in an emergency situation the ARFF Marines have only two minutes to get into their gear and be at the scene.
“My favorite part was getting dressed up in the suit,” said eight-year-old Young Marine Pvt. Emily Lunde as she struggled to step out of boots that came up past her knees. “The boots are really heavy. It was hard walking around in them. I think I could do it as good as the Marines if I had a couple days of training.”
The Young Marines also got a chance to shoot water out of an ultra-high-pressure extinguishing system mounted on the P-19 fire engine. During a fire, the extinguishing system puts out approximately 90 percent of the fire.
“After most of the fire is out, we send the Marines in with (fire hoses) to put out spot fires and clear a path for the rescue men to retrieve the fire victims,” Clark explained.
Prior to playing firefighter for the day, the Young Marines had the opportunity to listen to a former Young Marine sergeant major talk about the benefits of the Young Marine program.
Cpl. John A. Clemente, now a crew chief with the ARFF section, explained how the program would benefit the kids if they decided to join the Marine Corps later in their young lives.
“I joined the Young Marines because I was planning on enlisting, and I just wanted a heads-up as to what it would be like,” Clemente said. “These kids have a huge advantage over others if they decide to become Marines, with all the leadership experience they gain.”
The Young Marines asked many questions about the ARFF military occupational specialty.
Clemente’s answers gave them an inside look at what it might be like to be a Marine firefighter.
“This was a great opportunity to show people what we do and how we contribute to the Corps,” Clark said. “A lot of Marines don’t even know we exist, and this is one of the few chances our Marines get to show off what we do.”
The Drifter's Wife
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 2005320224631
Story by Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan (March 18, 2005) -- Walk into any elementary school classroom and ask the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
The kids will excitedly shout out:
“Astronaut!”
“Policeman!”
“Firefighter!”
Fifty-one Young Marines got a taste of what it may be like to try one of these occupations when they made a visit to the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting section, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Feb. 19. The Young Marines, ranging from ages eight to 18, found out it’s possible to combine two exciting jobs into one – that of a U.S. Marine and a firefighter.
The Young Marines program is designed to develop leadership skills and build moral character in its members. Each Young Marine earns their title by completing a 26-hour orientation program, also fondly known as “boot camp.” While in the program, the youth learn new skills that aid them in their careers as Young Marines.
“We initially just wanted to have a former Young Marine sergeant major, who was working (at ARFF), come in and talk to the Young Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Gary A. Wilson, officer in charge, Camp Foster Young Marines. “(The Marine firefighter) offered to speak to the kids and show them what he did for a living. It seemed like a good field trip for the Young Marines.”
“We split the kids into three groups, so every kid could learn the basic techniques to put out a fire,” said Staff Sgt. Bobby L. Clark, an ARFF section leader. “They learned the ropes out here, everything from bunker drills (donning a fire-protection suit) to discharging water out of a (fire hose) to putting out a simulated fire made out of traffic cones.”
In addition to learning how to put the fire out, the Young Marines also learned that in an emergency situation the ARFF Marines have only two minutes to get into their gear and be at the scene.
“My favorite part was getting dressed up in the suit,” said eight-year-old Young Marine Pvt. Emily Lunde as she struggled to step out of boots that came up past her knees. “The boots are really heavy. It was hard walking around in them. I think I could do it as good as the Marines if I had a couple days of training.”
The Young Marines also got a chance to shoot water out of an ultra-high-pressure extinguishing system mounted on the P-19 fire engine. During a fire, the extinguishing system puts out approximately 90 percent of the fire.
“After most of the fire is out, we send the Marines in with (fire hoses) to put out spot fires and clear a path for the rescue men to retrieve the fire victims,” Clark explained.
Prior to playing firefighter for the day, the Young Marines had the opportunity to listen to a former Young Marine sergeant major talk about the benefits of the Young Marine program.
Cpl. John A. Clemente, now a crew chief with the ARFF section, explained how the program would benefit the kids if they decided to join the Marine Corps later in their young lives.
“I joined the Young Marines because I was planning on enlisting, and I just wanted a heads-up as to what it would be like,” Clemente said. “These kids have a huge advantage over others if they decide to become Marines, with all the leadership experience they gain.”
The Young Marines asked many questions about the ARFF military occupational specialty.
Clemente’s answers gave them an inside look at what it might be like to be a Marine firefighter.
“This was a great opportunity to show people what we do and how we contribute to the Corps,” Clark said. “A lot of Marines don’t even know we exist, and this is one of the few chances our Marines get to show off what we do.”
The Drifter's Wife
Ellie