Twice a month a group of young men and women gather for Marine drills. They also help out in the community with various projects. They are called the Richland County Young Marines, and they mean business.
There are approximately 20 of Young Marines in the county and they are fully dressed in U.S. Marine Corps uniforms. They learn the three core values: Discipline, Teamwork, and Responsibility. The program is commanded by Colette Prosser, who once served in the military. She has been involved for about five years and said it is a great program.
“It’s neat to see the differences in the kids who come through and stay all through high school,” said Prosser. The Young Marine program is available for the eight to eighteen year old age group of both genders.
They meet for drills every other Sunday at their headquarters, which is located in the West Park Shopping Center, by Dunham’s Sports and China Club. At these drills, the Young Marines learn to recite the creed, the obligations and how to pass uniform inspection. They do physical training and learn how to properly march. They even do benevolent projects like writing thank you letters to veterans in the area.
On Sunday, April 27 the Young Marines met for a routine drill day, which promptly started at 1 p.m. and lasted until 5 p.m. Along with the routine drill, they each wrote a letter to a veteran in the area thanking them for their service.
Some of these Young Marines will graduate from the program by entering the military–whether it be the Marine Corps or not. If they decide to do so, they will graduate with a higher rank from actual boot camp because the program gives them a leg-up. Some of the mothers present at drill on Sunday were torn. They were proud, but scared.
“As a mom, I don’t want to discourage what my son wants to do with his life, but I’m scared for him, too,” shared Rebecca Davis. Her son, Mason Davis, joined the program a year ago as a nine-year-old. He would be first in the family to join the military if he decides to later in life.
Rachel Wesstler said she is proud of her 15-year-old son because the program has made him a better person, but she doesn’t want him to join. “I’m proud, but I don’t want him to [join]. Especially with what’s going on today,” said Wesstler.
Whether or not the youth decides to join the military after this program is uncertain, but one thing is widely accepted among the parents and staff: they learn common courtesy and to respect authority.
“Common courtesy starts to kick in for the kids, and that’s the thing that keeps me coming back–seeing them mature and develop,” said Prosser.
The Young Marines program has a boot camp coming up at the end of the month: May 31. Registration for this is on Sunday, May 4. For any interested in signing up call 419-565-0871. More information is available on the Young Marines website. Inquiries can also be made to Person of Contact (POC) Aaron Herring, our Training Officer (TO) at 567-241-8431 and aherring49@gmail.com.
“Common courtesy starts to kick in for the kids, and that’s the thing that keeps me coming back–seeing them mature and develop,” said Colette Prosser.
