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By YMPFC Mariela Cazares Eagle CA Earning the title Eagle Young Marine was difficult and also interesting. This is my story. I joined the Young Marines in August 2015 because I want- ed to secure my future get along with others and also join the fun. Its taught me how to work with others and work with those older than me.Recruit Training wasnt always funit was something that Id never do for anything or anyone else. Re- cruit training was the most intensive activity I have ever done in my whole life. The adults teaching were demanding and had a very busy schedule for us. The morning waking up or reveille came very early and was the hardest for me especially since I had never slept anywhere elsewhere else besides my parents home. My first night at Recruit Training I couldnt sleep. Running in the morning was a lot for me to take but I got through it because I would tell myself just take it little by a little. All of the physically challenging things like exercis- ing taught me how to get rid of my anger by working with others and doing things for one another this is also known as teamwork. At first getting dropped off every Friday eve- ning was a scary nervous feeling that I didnt especially like. I was so scared of making a mistake and afraid of having to take responsibility for any of those mistakes. But after several weeks I was not making mistakes. I started looking forward to Fridays and going to recruit training It felt good after that. On the morning of graduation day we had a Firefighters 911 Remembrance Hike. We were hiking with the City of Fallbrook CA firefighters that were carrying stretchers up to the top and back down the hill that had an elevation that matched the height of the World Trade Center Towers in New York. We helped each other not leaving anyone behind. The firefighters kept motivating us.Firefighters just like U.S. armed forces are trained to leave no one behind. After the hike there was a ceremony a Final Roll Call naming all the firefighters who lost their lives on 911. Then it was time to put on the Young Marine uniform.As I put my uniform on I felt very proud of myself for my accomplishment I know I might have quit if I didnt have my teammates support. I really enjoyed learning about map reading and compass navigation. Ive also learned how to cope with bullying and peer pressure at school and in my neighborhood. I thank my parents for allowing me to join. I thank Mr. and Mrs. Siegmann for all of their support and confidence in me. Earning the Title of Young Marine A Recruit Tells Her Story By YMCpl Theodore Burns Oregon Cascade OR This year I began my last full year in the Young Marines. Over the past three years I have been involved in more things than I could possibly imagine from volunteering at the local VFW to taking part in community anti-drug events such as Red Ribbon Week. Ive had a chance to get out in the commu- nity in this outstanding program. Even at regularly scheduled drills I have the opportunity to learn and grow as I never have before. Everything that happens during the day from teaching DDR classes on the fly to leading morning PT to helping train new Young Marines as an Assistant Recruit Instructor leads me to live by the Young Marine core values of disci- pline leadership and teamwork. Most importantly I have found not only friendship but family in the Young Marines. It doesnt matter how old they are or what rank they hold or if Ive nev- er seen them before. At Junior Leader- ship School I was surrounded by three hundred fellow Young Marines of differ- ent ages ranks and units. Most started out as complete strangers but when I left I felt as if I were leaving part of me behind. All of this the unique life experiences the leadership skills and self-discipline and the close bonds I have formed over my time in the Young Marines will help me as I grow into my adult life. No matter what I choose to do or where I go I will always be able to look back on my time in the Young Marines and draw from these experi- ences as I move forward to accomplish my goals. Semper Fi Young Marines My Last Year as a Young Marine Preparing for a Full Life GRADUATION SEPARATION From To Looking forward and taking a look back Page 20 ESPRIT