thedrifter
06-22-07, 05:20 AM
Surprises Abound At Young Marines Boot Camp In Biloxi
June 21, 2007 07:50 PM
"Yo! Revelry! Revelry! Out of the racks! Out of the racks," shouted Msgt. Vincent Jackson.
At this summer camp, there's no such thing as sleeping in.
"Training day! Out of the racks please. In front of your racks," Jackson shouted.
Wake-up call is 5 A.M.
"Good morning recruits," Jackson said.
"Good morning sir," the recruits responded in their sleepy voices.
Midway into Boot Camp, the Young Marine recruits are quickly learning the structured activities and daily expectations.
"Everybody ready for some good morning p.t.?" Jackson asked.
"Sir, yes, sir!" they responded.
"Can I get a loud and vigorous ooh rah?" Jackson asked.
"Ooh rah!" they shouted.
Jackson is the Commanding Officer of the Mississippi Young Marines unit. He spearheaded efforts to start the program in Biloxi, after launching successful camps in Louisiana.
"You can see them come together as a unit," said Jackson. "Now, it's all about being a family. It's all about doing things together, and when someone falls short, they help each other."
They're working together, even though they came to camp for different reasons. Some just need a male role model to guide them in the right direction. Others, like Tim Jones, had no choice. Tim told us he got kicked out of school. His parents signed him up to instill some discipline. Remember his tough attitude on the first day at Boot Camp? That's the day Jackson told Tim "I will guarantee you that by the time you finish this program this week, I will wipe that smile off your face."
"He was the one that I saw that had that gang-type attitude," Jackson said. "We kept working with him that day. Later on that evening, he came and he apologized to me first. He went and apologized to Mrs. Jackson, who's my wife."
The 16-year old has not only made a complete turn-around in four days. Tim is now the Platoon Commander.
"I am surprised," Tim Jones said. "I just thought it wasn't going to be any fun, or nothing like that."
As for his attitude, Tim said "It changed good, yeah. I'm fine now. I just realized that I needed to really step up, and grow up at the same time, so that's about it."
When asked if he was proud of himself, Tim smiled and said "Yes, ma'am. I am."
"Parents give you the right tools. We give you the right tools. The community gives you the right tools. But ultimately who has to make the decision?" Jackson asked the cadets.
"We do!" they answered.
Seeing his young, troubled recruits turn into strong citizens and leaders can soften up even a tough drill sergeant.
"I love kids. It's exactly why I'm here, to do what I do," Jackson said. "And I get choked up sometimes when I talk about it. Even Marines get choked up. But to see a young man that's taking charge of his own life is why I'm here. Words can't even explain that, cannot even explain how I feel."
"He never yells at me now. We have talks and stuff like that," Tim said. "I really think I've changed, because at first, it was bad. Now, it's getting good. I got to see how I do at home now."
"Call them to attention platoon commander and fall them out," Jackson ordered.
Tim immediately shouted "Platoon. Attention!"
"Yes sir," the recruits answered.
"Fall out!"
"Left, right. Aye-aye sir," they said with a salute.
The recruits also learn about community service, first aid, and how to avoid gangs and drugs. They will graduate on Monday. WLOX-TV will be there as they re-unite with their families and celebrate their achievements. Watch for our final report Monday night at 10:00.
Bay Vista Baptist Church in Biloxi is sponsoring the program. The next session will be held on July 23rd. Parents interested in registering their children, can call the church at (22 388-1166.
By: Trang Pham-Bui
Ellie
June 21, 2007 07:50 PM
"Yo! Revelry! Revelry! Out of the racks! Out of the racks," shouted Msgt. Vincent Jackson.
At this summer camp, there's no such thing as sleeping in.
"Training day! Out of the racks please. In front of your racks," Jackson shouted.
Wake-up call is 5 A.M.
"Good morning recruits," Jackson said.
"Good morning sir," the recruits responded in their sleepy voices.
Midway into Boot Camp, the Young Marine recruits are quickly learning the structured activities and daily expectations.
"Everybody ready for some good morning p.t.?" Jackson asked.
"Sir, yes, sir!" they responded.
"Can I get a loud and vigorous ooh rah?" Jackson asked.
"Ooh rah!" they shouted.
Jackson is the Commanding Officer of the Mississippi Young Marines unit. He spearheaded efforts to start the program in Biloxi, after launching successful camps in Louisiana.
"You can see them come together as a unit," said Jackson. "Now, it's all about being a family. It's all about doing things together, and when someone falls short, they help each other."
They're working together, even though they came to camp for different reasons. Some just need a male role model to guide them in the right direction. Others, like Tim Jones, had no choice. Tim told us he got kicked out of school. His parents signed him up to instill some discipline. Remember his tough attitude on the first day at Boot Camp? That's the day Jackson told Tim "I will guarantee you that by the time you finish this program this week, I will wipe that smile off your face."
"He was the one that I saw that had that gang-type attitude," Jackson said. "We kept working with him that day. Later on that evening, he came and he apologized to me first. He went and apologized to Mrs. Jackson, who's my wife."
The 16-year old has not only made a complete turn-around in four days. Tim is now the Platoon Commander.
"I am surprised," Tim Jones said. "I just thought it wasn't going to be any fun, or nothing like that."
As for his attitude, Tim said "It changed good, yeah. I'm fine now. I just realized that I needed to really step up, and grow up at the same time, so that's about it."
When asked if he was proud of himself, Tim smiled and said "Yes, ma'am. I am."
"Parents give you the right tools. We give you the right tools. The community gives you the right tools. But ultimately who has to make the decision?" Jackson asked the cadets.
"We do!" they answered.
Seeing his young, troubled recruits turn into strong citizens and leaders can soften up even a tough drill sergeant.
"I love kids. It's exactly why I'm here, to do what I do," Jackson said. "And I get choked up sometimes when I talk about it. Even Marines get choked up. But to see a young man that's taking charge of his own life is why I'm here. Words can't even explain that, cannot even explain how I feel."
"He never yells at me now. We have talks and stuff like that," Tim said. "I really think I've changed, because at first, it was bad. Now, it's getting good. I got to see how I do at home now."
"Call them to attention platoon commander and fall them out," Jackson ordered.
Tim immediately shouted "Platoon. Attention!"
"Yes sir," the recruits answered.
"Fall out!"
"Left, right. Aye-aye sir," they said with a salute.
The recruits also learn about community service, first aid, and how to avoid gangs and drugs. They will graduate on Monday. WLOX-TV will be there as they re-unite with their families and celebrate their achievements. Watch for our final report Monday night at 10:00.
Bay Vista Baptist Church in Biloxi is sponsoring the program. The next session will be held on July 23rd. Parents interested in registering their children, can call the church at (22 388-1166.
By: Trang Pham-Bui
Ellie