Young Marines get tough

[thedrifter]

Young Marines get tough
Lance Cpl. Tyler J. Hlavac

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (August 31, 2007) -- A Marine descending a rappel tower is a common sight on Marine Corps bases, but when the devil dog is younger than 13 years old some people may need to do a double-take.

The Camp Foster Young Marines completed a Leadership Field Exercise on Camp Hansen Aug. 13-17. The Young Marines spent the week tackling the obstacle course, shooting at the indoor simulated marksmanship trainer, practicing Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and rappelling off the Camp Hansen rappel tower.

The week gave the Young Marines first-hand experience in the kind of training real Marines go through, said Cpl. Zenita Smith, the executive officer for the Camp Foster Young Marines.

The week also helped build cohesion among the platoon of recently graduated Young Marine recruits and the platoon of more senior Young Marines, she added.

The youngsters stayed in barracks on Camp Hansen and followed a daily schedule that included activities such as physical training, morning and afternoon classes, room inspections, morning cleanups, talks with their squad leaders and various other Marine Corps-related events.

Young Marine Instructors and Marines with experience in each activity, such as MCMAP instructors and rappel instructors, helped train the children.

"The Camp Hansen staff was very supportive of us," said Cpl. Smith. "They definitely hooked us up."

The experience also helped develop the more senior Young Marines' leadership skills.

"This exercise gave our Young Marines' noncommissioned officers a chance to teach their Marines," she said. "As we mixed new and veteran Young Marines, our senior Young Marines had to step up their game so as not to be shown up by the new guys."

Young Marine Cpl. Derek Trammel, the 11-year-old acting platoon Sergeant, said he learned a lot during the training.

"I liked the training a lot, especially the rappel tower; it was cool getting to do a lot of different activities," he said. "I learned responsibility and how to properly take care of my troops. The training definitely motivated me."

Ellie

[thedrifter]

Young Marines get a cool morning surprise
Sun, Sep 2, 2007

By APRIL BAILEY Staff writer

After a long morning of strenuous physical training, members of the CSRA Young Marines were rewarded for their efforts with a spray down of cool water, courtesy of members of Aiken Public Safety. The young marines were out at Odell Weeks on Saturday, for the group's bi-monthly physical training exercise.

"Our motto is strengthening the lives of America's youth," said Jeff Corwon, the Young Marine's commanding officer. "We teach everything from drug awareness to physical training." As an oath, members vow to respect their parents and teachers as well as God and their country. The program began locally last year as a program for Aiken kids. It later branched out into the entire CSRA as interest spread.

Open to boys and girls ages 8 -18, the program works to encourage high self-esteem as well leadership and physical fitness. During an 11-week time frame, members work to complete different drills as well as the different customs and traditions held important in the Marines. The group meets for physical training about every two weeks. Corwon said relies heavily on the member's input and parent involvement in most projects. "Our parent support is tremendous," he said.

"The program is great. It helps with self-esteem, and self-discipline," said Michael Yonn, senior member of Aiken Public Safety, who also has two sons involved in the young marines program. Yonn said since his sons have been participating in the program, he has seen a positive change. "They are learning the basic qualities of adulthood," he said. "Basically they are understanding that if you want to achieve success in life, you have to go after it," he said.

Cecil Atchley, a parent volunteer with the Young Marines, says he has not only noticed the impact that the program has had on his 9-year-old grandson, but on the other members as well.

"I've seen a change in a lot of them, mostly in their everyday actions," he said. "They have gone from being self-centered to team-centered."

While the program is named after the Marines, Gunnery Sgt. Joe Hamm

stresses that its purpose is not to recruit future Marines. "A lot of people have misconception that that is what we are out here to do but we just want the kids to follow a positive path, whatever it may be."

The group meets every other Saturday for four hours at the Marine Corps Reserve Center in Augusta.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com

Ellie

[thedrifter]

A disciplined life: Temecula Valley Young Marines build character <br />
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By: LORELL FLEMING - Staff Writer <br />
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TEMECULA -- Kathryn Byers rose to the top of her recruit training class for physical...