By YM/GySgt Jude Smith, Division 3 Public Affairs Correspondent Capital City (NC) To start an amazing summer, I attended the National Leadership Academy for Ad- vanced Leadership School in Camp Rilea, OR for two weeks. We arrived at the camp, and the Academy Staff got on our bus and made us move very quickly. The first day was getting used to the Acad- emy and learning about what we are expected to accomplish as an Advanced Leader. Whenever PT was completed, we would go to our classes. The staff taught us ev- erything from planning encampments to resolving conflicts to mentoring and counseling other Young Marines. During that same week, the National Executive Director’s wife, Mrs. Brenda Davis, taught a class (The Four Lenses) to help us learn about what kind of person we are (for ex- ample, I was a blue person, which means I care for other people when it comes to problems). The best part about that week was the Obstacle Course. It really pushed all of us beyond our comfort zone. There were many obstacles, including a low crawl, stairway to heaven,the A-frame,hurdling, and many others. The way that everyone came together to cheer each other on was by far the most outstanding part of that day and that whole week. Another thing about that week that I really enjoyed was the Land Navigation Course. We walked so far away from the camp and there was nothing but fields and peace. There were even a few deer and elk along the way! The thing that stood out during that first week was the Mess Night.The Mess Night (for all of the ALS students) was a time of relaxation and fun. It was a time when we all real- ized that there is no other program that can have this much of an impact and how amazing friendships in the Young Marines are. With a week of being taught how to properly lead an Senior Leadership School/Junior Leadership School Acad- emy, we finally got to put all of our train- ing into practice the second week for SLS and JLS. ALS was split into two groups: One group teaching JLS, and the other teach- ing SLS. We all had a job to do (whether that was Drill Evaluator, Class Instructor, or being an Academy First Sergeant), that was vital to the whole Academy. We had them do everything that ALS had to do, from team building to drill to the obsta- cle course. The one thing that I really liked about the SLS and JLS students was the cama- raderie between them all. They all had a common goal: To graduate the Lead- ership School and become a Senior/ Junior leader. They all worked together to accomplish something bigger than themselves. When I left ALS, I felt as if I had grown as a leader and as a person. I encourage all that want to “Accept the Challenge” to overcome what you think isn’t possible and do something that you and all other Young Marines alike want to accomplish: Being a Young Marine Leader and setting the example for all other youth to follow. ALS: Two Weeks of Real Work and Real Accomplishments By YM/SSgt Cade Colburn Flatirons (CO) My time at National Leadership Academy, Senior Leadership School at Camp Rilea, OR was amazing! It was only one week but I learned a lot in a matter of days.I made many new friends and gained knowledge to take back and share with my unit. I learned so many new things, like the traits of being a good leader, how to properly run a recruit training class, how to take care of my uniform, and how to march a platoon. The best part of SLS was making all sorts of new friends. I made friends from all over the country from Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas, and Southern California. A special shout out to my brothers in Brown Bay! I would highly recommend that all eligible Young Marines go to NLA SLS, because it teaches junior leaders how to develop into senior leaders and take charge of their units. SLS was a big opportunity for me and has prepared me to be a senior leader. I learned to lead by example and how to mentor junior leaders so they can grow and de- velop into senior leaders. It was a great experience and I learned so much! Senior Leadership School at Camp Rilea Was Amazing! By YM/Sgt Daniel Valastro Tarrant County (TX) My name is Sergeant Daniel Valastro from the Tarrant County Young Marines unit in Texas. Most people think a team is just about working together, but it’s way more then that. It’s about the brotherhood you have with your team. About 3 days ago I graduated from National Senior Leadership School and the last day was probably the saddest day because my team, our team, had built a bond together and it’s hard letting go if you do know what it feels like, you don’t want to let go because a team works together and you share a bond of friendship. And some people like Young Marines Corey, Turnquist, Col- burn, Hilker, SSgt Georgia and SgtMaj Orozco, it’s hard to let go of a team you love but you have to know it’s going to get bet- ter some day.This is the team you love and care for because of who they are and what they done in your life, a team like this is the greatest feeling ever because you know someone’s got your back where ever you go. Semper Fi! NLS: A Lesson Learned About the Lasting Bonds of Teamwork THE YM LEADERSHIP SCHOOLS: JLS • SLS • ALS 18 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT Online