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ESPRIT Page 3 From our New National Director From our National Young Marine of the Year By YMSgtMaj Lucas J. Ward National Young Marine of the Year 2015 After a busy summer and fall there are many things to cover as we wrap up 2015 and start pre- paring for next year. The past few months have seen Red Ribbon Week and Veterans Appreciation Week. It is important that everyone who partici- pated in these events gets a report in to their unit and write an article to submit as well so that others can share the experiences. One of the most important things to take care of at this time of year is our record books. As Young Marines it is our responsibility to review our own record books to make sure everything is in order. If your unit is like mine then you probably find that events in the winter time are less constant and sometimes things can even seem slow. This is the perfect opportunity to spend time on your record book. As we enter the last month of the year it means we are only a month away from the opening of application for SPACES and other summer events. Only Young Marines in good standing and with complete record books are able to apply for SPACES. Young Marines interested in summer events camps and academies need to make sure that their record books are completely caught up with all awards required hours and tests so that they qualify for the next years events. In addition it is important to check on the on- line database regularly for both adults and Young Marines. Changes come about regularly and it is important that all information is current. Several changes will be coming about from the recent Young Marine Leadership Symposium. These changes will be in the awards manual rank re- quirements and eventually in the guidebooks on every level so be sure to watch for updates. Lets take some time to square everything away now as we review an amazing year in 2015. We all know that Mr. Kes- sler will be officially retired as the National Executive Direc- tor. He will be dearly missed and none of us want him to go but I am also incredibly excited to work with Mr. Davis who is Mr. Kesslers successor. With Colonel Davis at the helm the Young Marines program has a bright futureand I cant wait to see where 2016 takes us. OOHRAH and Happy Holidays. Thank you all for the warm welcome I have enjoyed meeting our Young Marines staff vol- unteers and parents and I have been inspired by the enthusiasm passion and dedication shown by all. Your energies and focus are the catalysts to our continued success and I look forward to our future together. I am truly ex- cited to be a part of this impactful organiza- tion and am honored to be your new National Executive Director. Each of you has a significant role in our Young Marines family and I want to personally thank you for your part in this organization. With- out our staffs parents families and addition- al volunteers we would not have the support necessary to maintain our units. Furthermore without the personal dedication of each Young Marine who continues to participate in this de- manding programwe wouldnt have a program at all. Together our family inspires hope for our nations future - a future of positive citizen- ship leadership respect and the promise of a healthy drug-free lifestyle to those youth who claim the title of Young Marine. In the future I will challenge each of you to strengthen our existing units while simultane- ously expanding our program into areas where we do not currently have a presence. Every young man and woman should have the op- portunity to be a part our wonderful program and with your continued support we will en- sure that opportunity exists. I would also like to express my personal ap- preciation to Mike Kessler for his incredible leadership and dedication his work on the program helped define a generation and Im grateful to have been chosen to continue on with our mission. We all share the same un- derstanding of what he has accomplished. We will strive to execute our collective vision for the future of our nation with Young Marines being leaders in every clime and place. It is with great enthusiasm that I take the reins as we propel ourselves into an exciting productive future for our Young Marines. In my eyes we are the premier youth program in this country. With our history and traditions firmly embracedI look forward to our tomorrow. Lets get started Semper Fi Colonel Bill Davis USMC Ret National Executive Director Young Marines