Young Marines Ruck March

I haven't posted too much about John & Jim joining the Young Marines.  They haven't been doing it too long.  Just since after the beginning of the year.  We've always had a sense that John would be a military man.  Makes sense, since Jim & I served in the Army/Army Reserves.  Not that we ever expected him, or any of our kids, to follow in our path.  We try to keep that middle ground of encouraging them to do what THEY want to do, not what we want them to do.

We heard about this group called the Young Marines & went to go check it out.  John was hooked immediately upon the idea, before we even knew the real specifics to it.  It's not required that Jim help with the group, but honestly they could use a few good men (haha, get it!) to help with the group.  With Jim's military background and the fact that he misses certain aspects of it, it made perfect sense that he join the group as well as a leader.

John is still going through the training process of being an official Young Marine.  He is still considered a recruit, but has advanced nicely in his training.  To give you an idea of what the Young Marines is from an organizational stand point, read this: 

You might say that the Young Marines are one expression of people beating
their swords into plowshares--in this case taking a 236- year-old
institution and using its standards and codes and traditions to help train
and guide our youth to be good productive citizens (not more Marines). The
Young Marines uses the Marine Corps as a source of mentorship, a metaphor
for how to address problems we face and ways to improve ourselves, and as a
method to access our American past by learning many of the customs,
courtesies, history and traditions of our adopted parent organization.

The Marine Corps has adopted the Young Marines as its official program for
youth drug demand reduction because it understands that many young people
hunger for the structure, courtesy, discipline, and challenge a
service-oriented program such as this can provide. The Young Marines
delivers on these as well as providing opportunities for outdoor adventures,
performing community service, and meeting local business leaders,
manufacturers, and other citizens who contribute to our community. Founded
over fifty years ago by Marine Corps League members in Waterbury,
Connecticut, the Young Marines has grown into an organization of
approximately ten thousand members that reaches from Japan to Germany.

The Young Marines in our unit, like Young Marines around the world, learn
from both civilians and military about the customs, courtesies, history, and
traditions that make our nation an important part of human history. Young
Marines learn that our nation needs good, virtuous and hardworking citizens
to keep American liberty alive. They learn that perfecting themselves and
their community is part of their patriotic duty. Our Young Marines are
challenged to use their mind, body, and character through the many
challenges put before them.

Young Marines emphasizes manners, personal discipline, physical fitness, achieving
personal goals, and a brand of strong servant leadership. This is the Young
Marine Obligation that every Young Marine tries to live by;

"From this day forward, I sincerely promise, I will set an example for all
other youth to follow, and I shall never do anything that would bring
disgrace or dishonor upon my God, my Country and its flag, my parents,
myself or the Young Marines. These I will honor and respect in a manner that
will reflect credit upon them and myself.
Semper Fidelis"

I know that is a lot to read, but it gives a good report of what this group is about.  It is highly likely this will encourage John to join the military even more.  It does not mean he will necessarily chose the Marines and there is still the chance that he won't join at all, but these values will help propel him into the adult world with a good upbringing.

Recently the Young Marines joined the National Guard unit on a 5 mile ruck march.  Even though they were not quite to the phase of having the YM cameo uniform, Jim & John both participated in this event as well.  The day was cold & rainy.  They joined the others with a full weighted ruck (military word for backpack) and marched, sometimes running, in formation, 5 miles across town.  I followed them to get pictures & video. 

John (in the blue) as they started out from the National Guard unit:

John as they arrived at the VFW.

In formation:

Jim & John now do have the complete cameo uniform.  My little boy & husband are SO HANDSOME in uniform!  After all, this is what I totally fell in love with over 17 years ago.  I'll have to take pictures of them soon.  The Young Marines is such a great group, they give plenty of good wholesome activities for many youth in our community.  I look forward to many years of being a part of this organization.