By YM/Cpl Michael Manley Atlantic Coast (FL) The Atlantic Coast Young Marines welcome their newest Young Marines from Recruit Class 3107. They successfully graduated and we can’t wait to have them become part of our unit. They showed outstand- ing motivation during recruit training and worked hard. Keep up the good work! Now that you are a Young Marine you will still need to work hard but will see how much it is worth it. We help so many people from supporting our veterans, to feeding the homeless, to edu- cating the community about the dangers of drugs. The YM program has so much to offer. My advice is to get involved and take advantage of all of it. You will not just be helping people, but see how good it feels to have people appreciate you just because you are helping them. The National offers leadership programs, SPACES, and trips. Our unit also has special trips and events that you can be part of, so do it all. Study hard and get as far in the program as you can. Welcome and we can’t wait to have you in our unit! We Welcome Our New Graduates from Young Marines Recruit Class 3107 Young Marines of the Atlantic Coast (FL) unit . Welcome aboard! YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 23 By YM/Cpl Michael Manley Atlantic Coast (FL) As Young Marines, it’s important to make kids that we know aware of our program. When I have told my friends that I am a Young Marine, some have never even heard of the program. Others feared that being a Young Marine meant that they had to go into the military when they were adults. I explained that you don’t have to join the military if you don’t want to, and it’s not a disciplinary program. The Young Marines program will teach you how to be an outstanding citi- zen. You will learn confidence, respect, and the importance of education. You will also learn the importance of honoring our veterans. When volunteering at events you will be amazed at how much veterans appreciate us, while it is really us who should appreciate them. The Young Marines program is against drug abuse. You will not only be educated on the dangers of alcohol and drugs, but just how badly they can affect your life.As a Young Marine, you will not only volunteer at community events, but have the opportunity to interact and educate the community about the dangers of drug abuse. They will teach you how to shake someone’s hand and look them in the eye while talking, to use good manners, and how to take care of yourself. You may be thinking that looking some- one in the eye and good manners aren’t hard to do, but I’ve been amazed to hear adults say how many kids don’t do that anymore. Besides volunteer activities, there are so many fun events, too. There are trips, leadership schools, parades, and parties. You will be part of it all. It’s not easy being a kid. There is a lot of peer pressure to follow friends’ bad choices, there is peer pressure to do drugs, drink alcohol, and smoke cigarettes, there is pressure to do well in school, there are a lot of issues with social media and bullying whether in text, online, or in person. Everyone wants to feel like they fit in, so sometimes even though you know it is wrong, you may give in to one of those things just to be liked, or be included in part of a group. Before that happens, or you let it happen to a friend, join the Young Marines. You will be part of a group that will make you feel proud of making good choices,you will find a second fam- ily and great friends in your fellow Young Marines.You will find parent figures in your unit commander and staff, and you will belong to a group that will never let you down. So the next time you talk to your friends, ask them if they ever considered joining the Young Marines. They won’t be sorry for joining and you will have guided your friend in a positive di- rection that will forever change their lives. Recruiting Young Marines: Why It’s So Highly Important to the Program, (And also for All of Your Friends, too!)