By YM/Sgt Gabriel Myers Westmoreland County (PA) Last March, the Westmore- land County Young Marines had a disaster training exer- cise in Wonderland Forest, in Jennerstown, PA. Our mission was to conduct a search and rescue mission to find a downed helicopter crew in hostile territory.Code names were used for our XO and most senior Young Marines. We re- ceived the coded call where our first task was to decode the message and identified coordinates, using our map and compass skills. After we plotted the coordinates, mis- sion preparation continued. We put to- gether two separate teams - medical and security.I led the security detail using my land navigation, map and compass skills. My security team led the way through the woods and up hills into enemy terri- tory- since being quiet was necessary, we used hand signals during the mission so the enemy would not know our location. Upon arrival at the scene, we secured the perimeter, keeping watch in all di- rections by posting Young Marines in a circle around the site. We had to ensure safety of the medical team and casual- ties so the team could safety triage and treat the wounded (they wore “Moulage”- burned/bloodied uniforms and other fake injuries). Using our first aid skills, the wounded were treated and placed on stretchers. The security team led the medical crew carrying wounded and dead, leaving no one behind. We safely got everyone out,the medical crew took turns carrying the stretchers and “dead” so that no one would get too tired or hurt. We safely returned to base camp without drawing any “enemy fire.” While the mission was a lot of fun, it was a great way to learn and practice decoding, map and compass, land navigation, first aid, security, triage, stretcher carrying, communications, and planning and preparation for a successful mission. Westmoreland County: Using Skills and Training for a Disaster Westmoreland County Young Marines Using our skills to treat simulated injuries. Atlantic Coast: We Seriously Enjoy All of Our Activities By YM/LCpl Naya Pilkington Atlantic Coast (FL) We have fun in our unit, but when it’s time to turn on Young Marine mode, We are serious... Most people think that Atlantic Coast is hard. Don’t get me wrong, our unit is hard, but at the same time we do have fun especially like the time when our Unit Commander (Ms. Gib- bons) and our XO, Gunny, took us to the mall and we did a “scavenger hunt”. First, Ms. Gib- bons gave us a few objects to use to connect all of our group members together. It was really complicated to figure out because she gave us a pa- perclip, a rub- berband, and a few other objects, then we had to walk around the mall and try to finish all the instructions on the paper we were given. That night was a night that I will never for- get. But there are times where we have to turn on Young Marine mode. By that, I mean to say that our unit is very serious when it comes to taking part in some events (especially parades). Whenever there are parades we are always really focused on what we do.And if there are trophies awarded, we always aim for first place because we like to be first and never last. We also are serious when it comes to volunteering to help others.We have an event almost every single weekend,wheth- er its marching in a parade, or volunteering. I try to go to all of them because it’s really fun to me and I like hanging out with all the Young Marines. And of course I do need service hours. But anyway the reason why I wanted to write this article is because I wanted to let all the Young Marines know that At- lantic Coast has a lot of fun, we’re not just serious all the time. The Atlantic Coast unit, in Young Marine mode, ready to march in a parade. Seriously having fun! YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT 17