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YMGySgt Devin Droese Tonopah Valley AZ The excitement of working towards my goal of becoming a Marine is tempered by the fact that I have to say goodbye to the Young Marines program which helped me with my goal. The Young Marines program came into my life at a very important time I was just 15 a fresh- man in a new high school in a new state 2700 miles from the place I had called home for 15 years. It was quite a transition. Tonopah is in a remote location and I had not had a chance to meet anyone I was very unsure of myself and not happy about the move. My mom showed me an article in a local newspaper about a new program coming to Tonopah called the Young Marines it caught my interest so I went to their website to check it out. I was hooked. I made the contact calls to get started and became one of the first recruits for Tonopah Valley Young Ma- rines. When I am discharged from the program June 1 2015 I will only have a little over three years in.In that short timethe Young Marines have changed my life in many positive ways and helped me to achieve the dream that started when I was 7. I went from getting passing by-the-skin of-my-teeth grades to straight As. I learned to take advantage of my height to stand tall and proud instead of stooping to blend in. I learned how to lead and follow with respect I learned survival skills for both city and desert situations and I learned the value of teamwork. I am proud to say that I took part in a program that honored our veterans and active military and grateful for the many opportunities the Young Marines provided to be a part of these events and ideas. I have had the opportunity to speak with many people about the value of Drug Demand Re- duction and how the Young Ma- rines are working to Close the Gate on Drugs carrying for- ward Enrique Camarenas dream of a drug-free America. The Young Marine Program has helped to prepare me physi- cally mentally and emotionally to succeed in my dream of serving my country as a United States Marine and for that I am grateful and encourage others to join the program and make their own success story. The values of Honor Courage Commitment Discipline Re- spect Leadership and Teamwork taught in the Young Marines program were a huge part of my success as well as the commitment my parents made to me and the program. It is with excitement tinged with sadness that I move into the next phase of my life and wish to tell everyone that has been a part of my Young Marines experienceTHANK YOU From a Graduate Thank You to Everyone for my YM Experience By YMSgt David McKelly Gen Raymond G. Davis Metro Atlanta GA Today was my last day with my unit as my sister and I have retired serving our full time extended up to graduation of High School. I can honestly say that it has been an honor and a privilege serving with every Young Marine that I have met whether at Leadership School on Facebook or in the units that I have been to including my own. I only have one word of advice for every Young Marine who receives this maga- zine do not get comfortable. I can only explain this with a story. In my school last week there were many projects tests and quizzes for the Senior class because we graduate earlier than everyone else. I only received about 15 hours of sleep during the entire week. On Wednesday my Literature class was reading Shakespeares Macbeth and I was very uncomfortable sitting down. So I moved around started slouching and getting more relaxed. Midway through the third act of the play I started sleeping because I was very tired and very comfortable. My teacher noticing I was asleep asked meDavid can you please read this passage and the footnote beneath it I was lost on an- other page and an entirely different section. Why Because I got comfortable and fell asleep It is imperative Young Marines that you do not fall asleep in your efforts because life has a rude awakening.Therefore do not get comfortable where you are. Seek to improve your- self. If youre a Private work to become a Private First Class. If youre a Lance Corporal work to become a Corporal. Get into upper-level classes in school. Boost your GPA.The worst thing that you can ever do in life is become comfortable. The best thing you can do in your life is to exceed your own standards. Also as this will probably be my last article in Esprit I feel I need to tell you about the war on drugs. I know that the media says that the government has legalized marijuana in Georgia and other states and marijuana and cocaine are up for debate. This is not the war on drugs. This is the war on jurisdiction. The war on drugs happens inside the individuals including yourself and your peers. Every time you convince your peers to say No to drugs you have won that war be- cause you have ultimately saved their lives. I am 110 proud of all of you that have stood up and stood in the gap for your friends and informed them about drugs because thats ulti- mately what were all about. I will forever and always be a Young Marine and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you. Semper Fidelis Do Not Get Comfortable Work to Exceed Your Own Standards Recruit encampment 2012 MEPS February 2015 Promotion to YMSgtMaj 2015 ESPRIT Page 19