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 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54By YM/MGySgt Elijah Rico Tarrant County (TX) Imagine the best of the best in the program coming together, bettering themselves and each other through challenges mentally, physically, and emotionally tough. This year, as one of those who follow their dreams, I was one of those Young Marines at Ad- vanced Leadership School 2016. Arriving at the airport in Portland, OR, I had no idea what to expect. I rec- ognized a few faces from my past four units and national events. I didn’t know how I’d interact or work with these Young Marines, for they were new to me and the way I lead.They didn’t know who I was, but thanks to the six-hour wait for the buses, we quickly be- came acquainted.When the buses arrived there was chatter on the bus, but upon arrival to our bar- racks in Camp Rilea, it got eerily quiet. Standing outside the barracks were finely dressed Young Ma- rines in their crisp Charlies. They stepped on the bus with great command presence, and hur- ried us off the bus to grab all of our gear off the bus. We checked in and were assigned barracks. I was assigned to Pruitt Bay, it was an honor it was to be a part of the Pruitt family. Pruitt Bay would prove a very motivated bay the next week, and would help me along my stay at the Ad- vanced Leadership School. The first week of Advanced Leadership School was quite fun. The classes were long but became very useful to me as a Young Marine leader. The Young Ma- rines teaching them inspired me so much. The classes were important for not only the future, but the following week where we as advanced leaders would split up into teaching either Senior Leadership School or Junior Leadership School.How we did the first week would determine the outcome of the second week. Our usual day was composed of classes, drill, and team-building classes, but of course some fun and motivated activities in between. With that being said through everything I went through I built a bond with not only my bay (Oo- rah, Pruitt Bay!), but my entire Senior Leadership School class. I loved getting to learn, discover, and develop with my Young Marines. One of my favorite moments (or I should say time of the day), was drill. It absolutely incredible drilling with the sharpest Young Marines I’ve ever seen. Hearing all 47 of us dig our heels into the deck was awesome.All of us looked super sharp with our Charlies at final formation and inspection.All the Young Marines Master Sergeants, Gunnery Sergeants, and Sergeants Major (three Division YMOY’s attended ALS) in step, flanking, pivoting, sounded like a rum- bling tornado, a force never to reckoned with. I’ll put it as simple as possible when I say it was just incredible. The second week was also awesome. I was selected to teach Senior Lead- ership School as the battalion First Sergeant, and it was such a privilege leading Young Marines from all over the country. With the Senior Leader- ship School director Mr. Jones driving the bus, it was always an interesting time for me and the rest of the Young Marines. As anyone knows in Senior Leadership School or Advanced Lead- ership School, Mr. Jones loves accurate headcounts. (81 SLS, 21 ALS Mr. Jones, I haven’t forgotten, sir!) It was a fun and awesome time, one which has also made me a better lead- er. Even though the School was split, in the Advanced Leadership School family I had leading Senior Leadership School, as well as the senior Young Marines in Senior Leadership School. It was such a fantastic experience. When graduation day rolled around, Young Marines were anxiously wait- ing to finally graduate. JLS was first, the SLS, and finally ALS. They announced the honor grads of the first two schools, now it was time to announce the Top Ten Young Marines as well as the honor graduate of ALS. They started counting down… and my name was called! I made it! I was number seven in my ALS class. I was so proud of my accomplishment as well as for my Young Marines who made it with me as well! Later on, when we were waiting for our early ride to the airport (at 2 in the morning) the Top Ten were called into the ALS adult staffs’ office. Mr. Huff had told us that our place in the Top Ten, wasn’t really our actual number…there had been a miscalculation. So he read the new arrangement of the Top Ten... and I bumped from number seven, to number four! As well as the announcement of the Top Ten, Mr. Huff and the Young Marines National Execu- tive Director, Mr. Davis, gave us the breakdown of our respon- sibilities as Top Ten Young Ma- rines. The biggest one being a part of the National Leadership Sympo- sium, where we as the Top Ten, the Di- vision YMOY’s, and the National YMOY would come together and develop ideas to change and improve the Young Ma- rines program. I could’ve only dreamed of that moment. I wanted that moment more than anything in my Young Ma- rines career, to make a difference in the Young Marines program. The National Leadership Academy 2016 was phenomenal and Advanced Leadership School was unbelievably motivating and inspiring! The memo- ries and friendships I made at the acad- emy, I will never forget, and is one of the most memorable highlights of all my Young Marines career. Never give up on your dreams Young Marines, and continue to push yourselves to pursue the very best and beyond! YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 17 Advanced Leadership School: Challenges and Rewards It was such a privilege, leading Young Marines from all over the country.