Young Marines and NJROTC Changed my Life For the Good By YM/LCpl Kiera Burlingame McCord Three Rivers (CT) Young Marines When I joined the Young Marines program in April of 2015, I walked onto the drill deck for the first time feeling unsure about what I was going to encounter in recruit training. At the time I was in 7th grade at the Inte- grated Day Charter School, having no idea of what high school I wanted to attend or what I wanted to do in life. A year went by in the program, a long first year, I was not close friends with any one in particular, but I quickly grew a strong bond with most of them. By now, I was in the eighth grade. I knew what I was going to do, I was going to attend the New London Science and Technology Magnet High School and I was going to do the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program that offered there. Eighth grade was finally over and it was almost time to start my first year of high school. I was more than nervous, but I was eager to start a new adventure. When I walked on the NJROTC drill deck for the first time, I knew what to expect and I was so excited to begin. In both Young Marines and NJROTC, I have developed strong leadership skills and abilities. I have been someone who upper classmen and my peers can look to for help and advice. I have always hoped to bring things that I have learned in Young Marines into other things that I am in- volved in; being in NJROTC is a great opportunity for this. My overall goal in both of these programs is to make both the unit and the people better. In Young Marines, I have been offered once in a lifetime opportunities that I wouldn’t be offered anywhere else. I will be attending a National Leadership School in Oregon this summer on behalf of my unit. My unit, Three Rivers Young Marines, is the only unit in the country to have drill in a military academy (we are using the facilities of the U.S Coast Guard Academy). Recently, I attended the Bethel drill compe- tition as a Seamen Apprentice in the NJROTC program. and competed in the NS1 color guard division. We might not have done the best, but we learned from our mistakes and we hoped to do better at an upcoming drill competition in Southold, New York. The day arrived for this competition. I was thinking it is just going to be another compe- tition; we might do well, but probably won’t place (...but it will be worth the fun). Our drill team knocked it out of the park, then our color guard, followed by inspection. I am so proud to say that we went home with seven trophies, a huge im- provement from last drill competition. Both the Young Marines and NJROTC programs have made me a much bet- ter leader.Both of these programs have taught me to be more adventurous and always shoot for the stars. Without both of these programs, I would not be the person I am today. I want to thank Patrick McMahon, my Unit Com- mander, and Senior Chief Smith and Commander Ted Ward of my NJROTC unit for all they have done for me thus far in my Young Marines and NJROTC adventures. By YM/LCpl Jonathan Thornhill Imagine School North Port (FL) It’s been my aspiration for some time now to apply to United States Naval Academy, and if I’m fortunate enough to be accepted one day,it would be a dream come true. My desire to attend was influenced more after meeting Blue and Gold Of- ficers from Annapolis, Captain Richard Petrucci, USN (Retired) and Mr. Alois J. Burda III. I was surprised and encouraged when they came to Imagine School of North Port to show us all that Annapolis (as the Academy is known) has to offer. The rich history Annapolis and the United States Navy has is eye-opening. I learned how The Naval Academy pre- pares and trains students to be Commis- sioned Officers in the U.S. Navy as they go to school. There is a stringent admissions process and not everyone who applies gets ac- cepted.Those applicants who are select- ed go to school at The Naval Academy for 4 years and earn a degree. After completion, they begin their ca- reers as Naval Officers for 5 years. Being in the Young Marines is prepar- ing me for my future, and has familiar- ized me with discipline and courage for the requirements to be selected. I’m looking forward to meeting with a recruiter so I can start the challenging process to attend The Naval Academy. I encourage all Young Marines to learn as much as you can about all branches of the Military, and Service Academies. You just might be inspired, as I have been. My Goal: Attending the United States Naval Academy I have always hoped to bring things that I have learned in Young Marines into other things that I am involved in... YM/LCpl Kiera Burlingame McCord YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE EDITION • Vol.2 • 2017 • 39