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 46Editor’s Note: This article was written in Sept 2014 during YM/Sgt David McKelly’s last year in the Young Marines. David is now a Pet- ty Officer in the Navy and is excited to have his barracks room right above Young Marines Headquarters. By YM/Sgt David McKelly Gen Raymond G. Davis Metro Atlanta (GA) Young Marines (Now, IS3 David McKelly, U.S. Navy) When I first joined the Young Marines, I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know my right from left or ups and downs. I remember that I had to convince my mom to let me join the unit because we didn’t have a lot of money. I wanted discipline. I wanted to know how to be- come a good leader. I wanted to be a Young Marine. The Recruit Instructors instructing my class didn’t go easy on us. Honestly, I remember every pebble on the ground from the first day because we spent so much time doing push-ups and drill. I was scared. I wanted to get out, I thought this program wasn’t right for me. I was wrong. After graduating from recruit class, I was not the best person around. I be- came lazy and sluggish. My guidebook didn’t receive too many signatures and I was a liar. I was horrible at getting work done and I disappointed myself, the adult staff and the other Young Ma- rines around me. After a while though, I remembered why I wanted to join the program. I describe my uniform in this fashion: The COVER means commit- ment, the BLOUSE means leadership, the BELT means discipline, the TROU- SERS mean respect and the BOOTS mean lifestyle. I live this way every day now. I love this program. I love this Unit. The Young Marines opened up a lot of doors for me. I have been to many Mayors’ offices for proclamations, presented DDR classes in my school, and one time, I was invited by my principal during my freshman year of High School to in- struct an assembly during Red Ribbon Week to all of the Seniors. I have also been invited to national seminars due to a good GPA and outstanding activi- ties, to which I have to give credit to the Young Marines. In my Senior year in High School, I had a 3.2 GPA, because the Young Marines taught me the importance of integrity and responsibility. I hope to be able to positively influence the last few re- cruit classes on the importance of tak- ing responsibility and living an honest drug-free lifestyle. My belief is that it’s expected for a unit to change an indi- vidual. That’s what happened for me. But, it’s got to be something special when an individual positively improves a unit. I believe in trying to achieve that because I owe that much, but I believe every Young Marine is responsible for doing that. That’s why I love the Young Marines. Now a Petty Officer, An Alumni Visits YM Headquarters Col Sachrison:Young Marines Alumni Retires On Top By Col Bill Davis, USMC (Ret) Young Marines National Executive Director/CEO Colonel Jon Sachrison retired from the Marine Corps after 29 years of service to our country on 26 May 2016. His retirement ceremony was held at Marine Corps base Quantico. Col Sachrison started his path as a Young Marine in Clearwater Florida from 1977-1979,“I knew what I want- ed to do at that age and convinced my parents to drive me to drills.The Young Marines started the path that led me here 29 years later”. He then attended MCJROTC dur- ing high school and graduated with a Bachelors in His- tory from Virginia Military Institute. Col Sachrison was a career Artillery Officer, holding artillery jobs at all levels, along with other high profile tours. He had several operational deployments during his active time to Panama, Iraq, Haiti, Korea, and again Iraq. Col Sachrison is now taking on the job of Opera- tions Officer for the Marine Corps University Foundation at Quantico, helping continue and support the education of Marines everywhere. Col John Sachrison, USMC with Col Bill Davis, USMC (Ret), Young Marines National Executive Director after the retirement ceremony. Y O U N G M A R I N E S A L U M N I Y O U N G M A R I N E S A L U M N I YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 21