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thedrifter
11-28-08, 06:00 AM
Young Marines teaches responsibility, respect
Central Illinois group hosting recruitment drive on Saturday

By ANDY KRAVETZ
of the Journal Star
Posted Nov 27, 2008 @ 08:42 PM
PEORIA —


The few. The proud. The Central Illinois Young Marines.

No, the U.S. Marine Corps hasn't dropped its standards to allow children into the service, but rather, a small group of children and teens have taken the challenge to Young Marines, a quasi-miltiary program that's part Boy Scouts, part military and part drug prevention.

"It gives the kids a sense of self-worth," said Lori Lewis of Deer Creek, whose three children have either participated or are currently in the program. "We are not teaching them how to be more adult-like, we are teaching them how to say 'please' and 'thank you' and 'yes sir' and 'no sir'. We also know how to have fun."

On Saturday, at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center near Bellevue, the Young Marines will have their bi-annual recruitment drive where they can sign up children ages 8 to 18. It's this process that sets the program apart from others.

"You don't automatically earn the title of Young Marine or their uniform. They have to earn it," said Lewis.

That's done by going through 26 1/2 hours of "recruit training or "boot camp," as Lewis fondly calls it. But don't think that this like the movie "Full Metal Jacket."

"We aren't screaming in their faces. We have expectations but we don't set them up to fail," she said.

There's a test but for the most part, if a boy or a girl - the Young Marines are coed - puts forth the effort, they'll make it through.

Taught are close-order drills or marching, the customs and mannerisms of the U.S. Marines, and other information regarding the Young Marines program.

Lewis stressed the Young Marines are not a recruiting tool of the Corps and of the 200 or so children that have participated in the past seven years, less than five have gone on to join the service right out of high school.

"We make them work for it and have expectations for them, and in turn, they respect themselves more and by doing that, you respect others."



Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com.

Ellie