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 46By YM/PFC Andrew Smith Rutherford County (TN) Last April, Rutherford County and Mu- sic City Young Marines held their first- ever Battalion encampment at Camp Sycamore Creek in Goodlettsville,TN, a place we call Camp Chesty Puller. During those few days we learned about something that only Young Ma- rines can experience, and that is friend- ship among units. Both units had a fun time learning to get to know each other. A few of us had met each other very briefly at previouis memorial cer- emonies. The idea for this encampment was cooked up by our out- standing unit commanders, Mr. Cintron and Mr. Mercer. On the first day after a battalion roll call, we assembled for a flag retirement ceremony, and we retired a number of old American flags and one Marine Corps flag. I was Rutherford County’s guide for that day,so I had to present the unit guidon often. After that, we formed up and went over our eleven general orders for fire watch and attended some classes. During our down time, we had a unit basketball game in which our units competed against each other while some did other things. The second day we were packed with activities. We were taught CPR, which we took to like a fish to water. Next we were given some more Land Navigation training. Afterwards we had a test, not a paper test, but a live quiz which was con- ducted like a scavenger hunt. We also had a “battle formation march” after the leadership class conducted by Young Marine CPL Ruiz, then we had a fun time on the slide and rope wall. After that we had MRE lunches which were provided by the unit (unless you brought your own). During our down time, along with my twin YM/PFC C. Smith, YM/Cpl Bell, and YM/LCpl Davenport formed our own sing- ing group, and to our surprise our Executive Officer Mr. Lavi- gne, played his guitar and provided music. He included a few songs he’d written himself. We also told a few scary stories. I pulled fire watch that night for two shifts, each one an hour. I then decided to just stay up since I only would get three hours of sleep and needed to help keep the fire going which had been burning since the flag retirement ceremony earlier that day. About an hour or so before everyone got up all the Registered Adults started to get up. I went and joined them in the chow hall. That morning I played a “bugle call”, which didn’t go well because Mr.Cintron’s Battle Horn (a Viking Horn) was different from mine at home (his is plastic and mine is made from an actual bull horn). So after we got everybody up I volunteered to bring mine for drill because mine is louder and easier to use. We then had morning colors like all mornings and evenings of the en- campment. After that, everyone started to get their gear to- gether. I had gotten mine together that night when I decided to stay up. We then had a final formation and were dismissed. It was an eye-opening experience for both of our units. Since then, our two units have continued to do certain activi- ties together, even had a drill together to get details about both units’ trip to Parris Island, SC this summer. On behalf of our battalion, the 1st Young Marines TN Battalion, I highly suggest unit activities with other units because it builds trust, leadership, and friendship. Two Middle Tennessee Units Join for Fun Encampment They’re not called “Music City” without reason: YMs, relaxing with a guitar and a few songs in Tennessee. Starting a Young Marines’ day with some hearty chow. Last August, 152 Young Marines and 36 Adult Staff Members from the Southern New England Regiment 1st YM Division descended upon Camp Niantic (a Connecticut Army National Guard base) for their annual summer encampment. During this four day encampment, unit integrity was not maintained, and the Young Marines in attendance were placed into four Companies. On Day 2, these newly formed Companies competed in six different areas; PFT, Young Ma- rines Knowledge, First Aid, Map and Compass Skills, and Drill and Color Guard Competitions. Later in the evening, a K9 police officer and his K9 partner from a local police department gave a Drug Demand Reduc- tion presentation. On Day 3, the Young Marines enjoyed time at the beach (where kayaks were available) and also partici- pated in field meet games. On Day 4, Field Day was enjoyed and awards were distributed. Summer weather in New England can be unpredictable, and the average heat index for this four-day event was 102 degrees. This encampment was planned and conducted by the senior Young Marines from within the regiment. The Or- ganizational Risk Management class taught at this year’s ALC was invaluable. --Submitted by Patrick McMahon, Commander Southern New England Regiment Division I: A Summer Encampment in New England 28 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE