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ESPRIT Page 3 As I reflect on my Young Marine career I find it has been the most enlightening strenuous and exciting period of my life.The Young Marines have allowed me to develop and mature as a person. The program not only shaped me into a great Young Marine but a great person ready to do good in my future endeavors. This is what our program excels at doing providing indi- viduals with the skill set necessary to be successful in whatever avenue of life they choose to pursue. The road has not been easy that is a certainty. But straight roads do not make for good drivers. We as people will have many hardships to face in life and thanks to the hands on experience the Young Marines provides we are capable of taking them head on. I write this article nearing the end of my career as a Young Marine and as I think back on it I often find my- self dumbstruck I ended up where I did.Mewho forgot his uniform on the first day of recruit training. Me who called Right Face while marching a platoon. Had you told 11 year old YMPvt DeWeese that he would even- tually become YMSgtMaj DeWeese there is no doubt he would find the tale to be tall. Before joining the Young Marines I found myself at a strange place in life. I was not bullied or picked on. I had a handful of friends whose interests similar to mine ranged from little to none. I found myself sim- plyidle.I didnt know what I was doing or where I was going. It was once I found the Young Marines I found my calling my passion my ambition. From that day forward my life would be for- ever changed. I sud- denly had a group of friends with the same interests and ambi- tions as I did. As I grew older my appreciation for the Young Marines only strengthened. Being a high school senior I often see many struggle to find their place in the chaotic world of adolescence. It is hard to watch as so many try desperately to fit in. Our society tends to be a very pessimistic one of- ten paying more mind to who you are not. Im not a straight A student. Im not the captain of the football team. Im not Prom queen or the most popular person. The problem with this mentality is we become so con- sumed in who we are not we forget who we are. The Young Marines has above all else provided me with a sense of identity. I am none of those things and I can take solace in admitting this because at the end of the day I AM a Young Marine. I am part of a culture that brags about staying drug free that aspires to do what others dream and work together to bring other up not tear them down. The Young Marines has done much for me and pre- sented me with more opportunities than I could have fathomed. But this this seemingly obvious realization this concept that so many try to discover but fail to find this is what I am most grateful for. In the last year I have traveled much. I have met many Young Marines and heard many stories the most exciting part is that I know at some point during my travels I met a future National Young Marine of the Year. I tell my story not to boast but rather to inspire. I did not hit the ground running I stumbled tripped even fell. But I always picked myself up. No matter what your aspirations are I encourage you to pursue them with relentless determination and remain resilient in the face of adversity. We may not all achieve our dreams but at the very least we can look back and say we tried which is more than most can say. The question is not who will let me the question is who will stop me. - Ayn Rand. -YMSgtMaj Blake DeWeese National Young Marine of the Year 2014-2015 Oregon Cascade Young Marines From Humble Beginnings Reflections On a Career in The Young Marines