By YM/Sgts Anna and Steven Schidrich Parris Island (SC) YM/Sgt Anna Schidrich: My brother and I are both Young Marines Sergeants with the Parris Island (SC) Young Marines unit. Steven joined first at 10 years old and I joined a year later when I was 13. We both recently earned the DEA device by doing our required presentation in dif- ferent schools or presenting at same school, different grades. All presenta- tions were received positively by stu- dents, teachers and staff. Four other Young Marines in our Unit spoke and each gave two Drug De- mand Reduction presentations at Rob- ert Smalls International Academy. They are working towards earning their DEA Device. YM/PFC Lucas Smith spoke to 5 Kindergarten classes at his former school, Davis ECC and he, too, earned his DEA Device. YM/Sgt Steven Schidrich: Both Anna and I are Project Alert certified instruc- tors.   In classroom settings, we teach our peers and other Young Marines the Project ALERT Curriculum which moti- vates students against drug use, culti- vates new non-use attitudes and beliefs and equips students with the skills and strategies they’ll use to resist drugs.  It is important to my sister and me to share the message of the dangers of drugs with Young Marines and students our age because the possible consequences of drug abuse are deadly. Young Marines are taught the 14 leadership traits. One of those traits is courage. Having courage gives you the confidence and the inner strength to do the right thing. This includes both leading a drug-free lifestyle and publicly en- couraging others to do so. YM/Sgt Anna Schidrich: Steven and I both have attended Junior Leadership School (JLS). Steven was the first one to attend.  Training Officer YM/Cpl Tor- res along with Steven and YM/Sgt Ed- ward Asher practiced almost daily with me for two weeks.  Steven and YM/Sgt Asher shared their prior JLS experience with me.  When I attended National JLS I ended up scoring 100% on my Drill Card.  The instructors at JLS said that was an amazing accomplishment. YM/Cpl Tor- res, YM/LCpl Pulido and YM/ LCpl Ivaliotes also trained me so I would be better prepared to succeed on my Physical Fit- ness Test (PFT) which I would take during JLS. They helped me increase my endurance and build up my strength. When I won Regiment Young Marine of the Year, Mr.Tingley, our Unit Commander, asked me to address the Unit.   I said this was not my accom- plishment alone, it was the Unit’s accomplishment, that the Drill Instructors/Training Officers and the Young Ma- rines assisted me in my suc- cess. Our DIs/Training Officers do not merely show up for our meeting every Saturday from 9am to Noon on Parris Island. Our Marines are dedi- cated to helping the Young Marines succeed and put in the extra time to help them in achieving their suc- cesses. The Parris Island Young Ma- rines are fortunate to have many active duty/former/re- tired Marines as DIs/Training Officers. They are amazing mentors and role models. YM/Sgt Steven Schidrich: My sister and I are lucky to have each other in this program. It’s nice to have your family along- side you to encourage you when you need it and to be there for your successes. Although the Marines are not our family, they are our family. My dad is also a volunteer. He taught history for 15 years so he loves coming on trips and teaching history lessons to the Young Marines. He’s looking forward to attend- ing our unit’s summer trip this summer to Gettysburg, PA, which we are taking along with the North Tennessee Young Marines Unit. YM/Sgt Anna Schidrich: One of the things that are great about this program is the bonds you develop with fellow Young Marines and the Marines that train you. The bonds made with Young Marines from other units will be for a lifetime Steven and I do our best to be leaders inside and outside of the Young Marines Program. We utilize and applythe leader- ship traits we’ve learned from the Young Marines program: such as, decisiveness, dependability, endurance and knowl- edge. I’ve been a Youth Group Leader for the Middle School Youth Group at St. Gregory The Great Catholic Church for 2 years. I’m also a member of the competi- tive robotics team at Hilton Head Island High School, where I attend.  I recently applied to be a volunteer at Hilton Head Island Hospital because I want to pursue a Nursing degree in college.  Steven and I are both members of Honor Societies. Steven formed and independently runs the AV/Sports Media Program at JPII.   Steven and I will be attending National Senior Leadership School at Camp Riliea, Oregon this summer. We look forward to training with the Parris Island/MCAS Beaufort Marines to prepare us for it! Parris Island: When Young Marines Are a Family Affair Drill instructor Sgt Roseman USMC. The day that both Steven and Anna were promoted to the rank of Young Marines Sergeants. 10 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT