Presenting Our Six 2017 Division Young Marines of the Year Division 1 -YM/SgtMaj Jordan A. James Division 2 -YM/SgtMaj Caleb S. Maurer Westmoreland County (PA) Northern Kentucky (KY) 8 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE Division 1 Young Marine of the Year is YM/SgtMaj Jordan A. James, 17, of Jeannette, Pennsylvania. James is a member of the Westmoreland County Young Marines under the command of Ronald Maxson. The unit meets in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. James is a junior at Penn-Trafford High School. James joined the Young Marines at age nine and currently, he is in his eighth year in the program. He feels that the biggest awards and triumphs in Young Marines have been mixtures of experiences, bonds and payoffs of the training experienced at the unit level or at leadership schools. “The Young Marines has taught me that no matter what I may be doing, if I give it my all, I’m going to be successful,” he said. Outside of the Young Marines, James’ major interests are hunting with his father, gym with his brothers or friends and spending time with his friends and family. He is the son of Margaret and Wayne James, and he has two brothers - Stephen and Aaron - both of whom were Eagle Scouts. The lesson is, “the sky being the limit”. “I can tackle every obstacle because of my time in the Young Marines.” Division 2 Young Marine of the Year is YM/SgtMaj Caleb Maurer, 16, of Bromley, Kentucky. He is a member of the Northern Kentucky Young Marines under the command of Lynne Arnold. Maurer is a sophomore at Dixie Heights High School. He joined the Young Marines at age ten and currently, he is in his sixth year in the program. and credits the Young Marines for teaching him discipline, teamwork and integrity. Maurer was named the 2016 honor graduate of the Advanced Lead- ership School as well as earning the 2016 Iron Mike award. He was named Division 2 Young Marine of the Year last year. He earned the Steve Tanner award in 2015 from his city in honor of a well known local veteran who was killed in action. He’s been recognized by his school multiple times for his Young Marines career. Also he has given speeches at his school’s ceremonies for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Following high school and college, Maurer wants to be an Air Mar- shall. He plans to major in criminal justice, and his life goal is to travel the country protecting the citizens of the United States. Maurer is the son of Erin Maurer and the step son of Dan Nantz, both of whom are assistant staff members for the Northern Kentucky unit. He has a younger sister who is a Young Marine. “I most definitely know for a fact that my experiences with the Young Marines have and will help me with my future endeavors,” he said. of Bromley, Kentucky. He is a member of the Northern Kentucky Young Marines under the command of Lynne Arnold. Maurer is a sophomore at Dixie Heights High School. He joined the Young Marines at age ten and currently, he is in his sixth year in the program. and credits the Young Marines for teaching him discipline, teamwork and integrity. Maurer was named the 2016 honor graduate of the Advanced Lead ership School as well as earning the 2016 Iron Mike award. He was named Division 2 Young Marine of the Year last year. He earned the Steve Tanner award in 2015 from his city in honor of a well known local veteran who was killed in action. He’s been recognized by his school multiple times for his Young Marines career. Also he has given speeches at his school’s ceremonies for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Following high school and college, Maurer wants to be an Air Mar shall. He plans to major in criminal justice, and his life goal is to travel the country protecting the citizens of the United States. Maurer is the son of Erin Maurer and the step son of Dan Nantz, both of whom are assistant staff members for the Northern Kentucky unit. He has a younger sister who is a Young Marine. “I most definitely know for a fact that my experiences with the Young Marines have and will help me with my future endeavors,” he said.