By YM/MSgt Marco Aasterud Billings (MT) Greetings to my fellow Young Marines, It has been an amaz- ing year for me (and hopefully, everyone) in the Young Marines program. Let me begin by saying that without this program I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today. I have been in the Young Marines since the fall of 2010. When I first joined, my unit had enough Young Marines to fill two full platoons, but as recruit training came to an end, the number of Young Marines in the platoons began to decrease and some members were leaving the program. With a strong sense of leadership, the unit managed to continue. Although our numbers grew smaller every month,our leaders never gave up on us. As our senior Young Marines aged out, it meant that we junior Young Marines had to step up and fill their shoes. We were only Lance Corporals and Corporals. We all saw that it was a hard task to accomplish, but we managed to get it done. As time passed, my fellow leaders began to leave, which meant that I needed to step up and take charge of the unit. By this time I was a Sergeant. I requested and was allowed to at- tend National SLS. Now I was qualified to lead recruit training as a Senior Recruit Instructor. Later in the year, when it was time to register for SPACES, I learned that I didn’t meet the requirements for ALS, so I chose to go to the FEMA CERT course in California.I chose this course over GAHA and the ORME adventure because I wanted to learn how to react in a reasonable manner when disaster struck. I finished the course in second place for Honor Grad. In first place was my good friend (now) YM/SgtMaj Jascha Ely (Divi- sion 6 Young Marine of the Year). The next summer, I finally was able to attend National ALS, where I met a lot of new and exciting people. I may have not made top ten, but I was able to take home more knowledge, and friendships. Here in Montana, I live my life as an average Young Marine, I do what I see needs to be done and I stay ac- tive in the program and work to advance the idea of living a drug free lifestyle. I never thought I would be recognized any further than the Unit level. Until one day, when I got an E-mail from the Divi- sion 6 Executive Officer telling me that I had been hand picked to cadre for the Division 6 Junior Leadership School in San Diego, which was my first time being cadre for any Young Ma- rines event. It is almost time for me to retire from the program, but I have a final box to check on my list and that is to earn the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. My time in the Young Marines has kept me drug free, responsible and made me a better leader, and it also brought a new family into my life (although I am still trying to meet everyone of them). How The Young Marines Helped Me Become Who I Am By YM/PFC Jaime Mendez Eagle (CA) Being a Young Marine is being responsible. Earning the title Eagle Young Marine is difficult (and also interesting). I joined the Young Marines in March 2017. I joined because I wanted to secure my future, get along with others and also join the fun. My view of Recruit Training was negative at first. But as the days progressed, my view of training (and the other recruits) became positive. Our Recruit Training was conducted over the course of sev- eral months. It would start on Friday evening at 1900 and finish at 1900 on Saturday. Recruit Training was the most intensive activity I have ever done in my whole life. The morning (and waking up really early) was the hardest for me, especially sleeping over somewhere else besides my home because I have never slept anywhere else. The first night here at the building, learning Fire Watch was really neat. Running in the morning was a lot for me to take but I got through it because I would tell myself “just take it a little by a little”. Besides all the hard stuff (like exercises) I think recruit train- ing taught me how to how to get rid of my anger by working with others and doing things for others. I was so scared to get yelled at, but as time went on, I realized the yelling was Com- mand Instruction. It was the same as our school teacher, just at a higher level.The Instructors demanded perfection.We had a lot of intense training and a lot of Marching Drill, Physical Fitness,Young Marine History, First Aid,American Customs and Academics. We had the privilege of eating in the Marine Corps Chow Hall (and the food was healthy and good tasting). I thought the obstacle course was very challenging, but it pushed me in a fun and motivational way. After all the weekends of training, I honestly felt good. On Craduation Day, as I was putting on my uniform I felt very proud of myself for accomplishing some- thing that I might have have quit if I didn’t have my team- mates’ support. Earning the title Eagle Young Marines was both difficult and interesting. My grades at school are going up because I have acquired discipline to give more effort. I respect my grandparents and try my best to make them proud of me. I am grateful that there are adult volunteers who give of themselves to promote this program and give youth the op- portunity to learn discipline, leadership, and teamwork. Earning the Title Young Marine: It’s Always Interesting 32 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE