By YM/SgtMaj Carson George Orlando (FL) Devil Dogs Alright, Young Marines, let’s start with the fact that middle school and high school can be very hard. There’s a lot more homework, responsibility, clubs, classes, and some of you might even be getting jobs. I’ve noticed a lot of Young Marines start to have thoughts about quitting the program when they hit this transitional stage, and I want to send a special message to all of you. If you’re having thoughts about leaving the program,it’s most likely because you feel you don’t have the time for it. I feel that the Young Marines can personally benefit every one of you in a unique way. The Young Marines is a very unique program that provides you with leadership opportunities at a very young age,even the YM/Pvts and YM/LCpls get to have unique opportunities to lead things such as PT, command drill, and help out those around them. This is a valuable in- vestment of your time due to the fact that you’re in a safe, comfortable environment with a safety net of other Young Marines and staff to catch you if you have a mishap, but also gives you enough leeway to execute things as you see fit. Many other kids spend their weekends at home playing video games or watching movies,but Young Marines all get out there bright and early, honing their skills as the future leaders of America. Imagine the possibilities that are at your doorstep once you get into the adult world.You’ll have public speaking skills, and be used to taking initiative within a group of people, while ev- eryone else will likely be timid (or uncaring).You’ll understand the importance of responsibility and duty, and always strive to get your work done because that’s the way you were taught as a Young Marine. All of your peers who sit at home all day sadly won’t get this experience. But that’s their loss, don’t make it yours. The other major point to this is that you have the honor of being a Young Marine. Nobody else knows what its like to wear that bullseye patch on your sleeve. Nobody else knows what it’s like to march in parades, participate in ceremonies, or at- tend amazing SPACES events that the program offers.All in all, you Young Marines are a very unique breed, and examples of the highest caliber of today’s youth. Besides, look at what former Young Marines have accom- plished. They have good jobs working in the aerospcae industry, retiring as a Colo- nel in the Marine Corps, or becoming one of the best lawyers in the state of Louisi- ana. If you ask any Young Marines alumni if the program aided them in arriving where they are today, I guarantee you that they’d answer yes, in a heartbeat. I want you all to keep this in mind as you grow and better yourselves during these years.Lastly,don’t forget to help develop your junior Young Marines as well. Es- pecially if you’ve been in a while, you’ve had plenty of fun and rewarding experiences, promotions, and awards. Be there to support them, so that they can have the same great times and learn the same valuable skills and knowledge that you have. Remember, you’re the future of our nation, continue to grow and learn so that people will see how our program truly ben- efits the youth of our country. [Editor’s Note: YM/SgtMaj Carson George is Division 3 Young Marine of the Year.] Young Marines: A Great Way to Invest Your Time A Field Day Brings Three Florida Units Together By YM/Sgt Emma Forcier Imagine School at North Port (FL) There are approximately 20 Young Marines units in the state of Florida and on 18 February,three of those units met up for a field day. The Imagine School unit lead this event and Naples showed up along with YM/SgtMaj Whitham (from the Desoto unit), and it was a blast. We had many different things going on including an obstacle course, push-up contest, sit-up contest, fastest mile run contest, shuttle run contest, and we even had a rock wall set up so we could have a rock wall climbing contest. Energy bars and water bottles were also provided for us. Even though not many people showed, we made the best of it. The Imagine School unit ended up with all of the awards and one of our Young Ma- rines, YM/LCpl Jonathan Thornhill received three of them and a rock climbing wall score of 8.5 seconds! The Imagine School unit is planning on making this an annual event and we hope more will attend every year.(In the photo below,I am standing on the far left of the photo, and our other Sergeant is on the right). The Young Marines is a very unique program that provides you with leadership opportunities at a very young age YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE EDITION • Vol.2 • 2017 • 37