Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46MY YM UNIT By YM/PFC Sylas Nava North San Diego (CA) We worked on getting our Marksmanship Ribbons. We had gun safety with the BB guns, but I loved bow and ar- row practice! We set up the targets and had a safety class then we got to shoot. It’s hard to hold the arrow steady and aim. I practiced until I could hit the target every time. Some Young Marines got a bullseye, but I didn’t. It was a fun day. Hitting the Target! Atlantic Coast: We Work Hard, and Play Hard, too! By YM/PFC Michael Manley Atlantic Coast I am proud to be part of the Atlantic Coast Young Marines. We’re a great unit! One of the reasons is because we have the greatest staff. Our Unit Commander, Ms. Kimberly Gibbons and Executive Officer, GySgt Michael Vicente (known as “Gunny”) treat us like family. Even though we work hard and they put up with no nonsense, they also let us have fun. They just gave us an end of summer pool party. They did it because they appreciate our hard work. At the party we got to swim and play games. It was so awesome to be able to hang out with everyone and have so much fun. Ms. Gibbons & Gunny always put us first, and let us know they care about us. I am so happy that I have them to look up to and all of the Young Marines and staff to make me feel like family. From the moment he stepped on deck at the National Flight Academy, Alumni Jason Asbill (1996-2004) wished that this was a SPACES pro- gram he had the opportunity to ex- perience.“The chance to understand everything that goes into the job of a Naval Aviator, while having fun is an awesome opportunity,”Asbill said. The National Flight Academy (NFA), located at NAS Pensacola, brings the latest in multisensory media and simulation technologies to create an immersive naval aviator expe- rience like none other, aboard the world’s only virtual land-locked aircraft carrier. The program takes the youth on a 6-day deployment aboard the USS Ambition. While on-board, the Ambition eXperimental Pilots (AXPs) are enveloped in life as a Naval Aviator aboard a modern air- craft carrier. The youth carry-on flight missions which be- come progressively more challenging throughout the week. Asbill had the chance to tour the Ambition aircraft carrier alongside Young Marines National Executive Director Bill Davis. “This adventure is truly immersive. The moment you step inside Ambition you are engulfed in the experience from the around-the-clock rumbling of the ‘ship’s engines’ to the fully-equipped, state-of-the-art Intelligence and Operations Centers. The Young Marines are really taking SPACES to the next level with events like these.” Following the six-day deployment, the AXPs graduated in a ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Mu- seum. “At the graduation, I realized how well the NFA aligned with the Core Values of the Young Marines. Young Marines were tasked to not only work with other Young Marines from throughout the nation, but also other youth programs. This test of teamwork had to be tough.” As the Young Marines readied them- selves to journey home from the NFA, Asbill had this word of advice for them: “As you leave here today, exchange numbers, emails, and social media handles to stay connected to your distant fellow Young Marines. One of the lasting effects of the Young Marines organization, like no other, is the camara- derie you develop with others from around the country. Con- tinue to develop those friendships into adulthood, because you’ll always be a part of the Young Marines family.” To find out how you can help Young Marines experience SPACES, visit www.alumni.youngmarines.com Jason Asbill with Flight Academy student YM Ethan Dickerson (JPSO) of his former unit on the USS Ambition quarter deck. National Flight Academy: Another Amazing Adventure 8 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE