Iraq veteran, 24, to lead Young Marines unit - 8 to 18 year-old kids

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070726/NEWS01/707260367/1002


PUTNAM -- Inside the cavernous gymnasium of the Putnam National Guard Armory, a platoon of fatigue-clad youths stood ramrod straight while stiff-backed squad leaders meticulously scanned the uniforms and appearance of their charges.

About 25 Young Marines, ranging in age from 8 to 18, adjusted shirt collars and posture, all under the watchful eye of Cpl. Josh Kenney, 24, a Marine Reserve veteran slated to take command of the unit within the next few weeks.

Kenney, sporting a crewcut and sharply creased battle dress uniform, circled around the formation of Young Marines while squad leaders finished up their inspection and moved the youngsters into physical training drills. As the sweating youths rotated through push-ups and jumping jacks, Kenney, a Plainfield resident, occasionally chimed in with suggestions.

"This is sort of the military version of the Boy Scouts," said Kenney, the executive officer of the Quinebaug Valley Young Marine Unit. "We try to instill a sense of focus and self-discipline into the kids -- make them team players."

Kenney credited his stint in the Young Marines for putting him on the path that led him to the shifting sands and dangerous back alleys of Iraq. A self-described "stupid kid," Kenney joined the Young Marines at age 12, and for the next five years worked to improve his attitude and re-evaluate his priorities.

[DS1]

1. I've never even heard of this program

and I was IN the Marines

:wtf:

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I've never heard of it either. I did find a website, however, and

found this info in the FAQ's.

http://www.youngmarines.com/

The Young Marines is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 youth education and service program for boys and girls ages 8 through high school.

The mission of the Young Marines is to positively impact America's future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy, and promote, a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

The program focuses on character building through a combination of self-discipline, teamwork and leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Young Marine units are organized into local units located in nearly every state in the United States.

Although the Young Marines is the U.S. Marine Corps' official focal program to the Department of Defense for youth Drug Demand Reduction, the Young Marines is not a recruiting force for the U.S. Marine Corps. We strive to instill the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment adopted by the Marine Corps to each of our members.

[atreides1]

2. Hitler Youth?

[Posteritatis]

10. Meh, similar things are all over the place

Sounds somewhat like the Army/Sea/Air Cadets organizations in Canada, only it starts a few years earlier. Those don't bother me at all; I don't see why this should, since they seem more or less parallel.

[rockymountaindem]

11. Yeah

One time in Toronto I was suddenly surrounded by a bunch of 11 year olds in Air Force uniforms. I said, "how'd they all break into the surplus store?", but yeah, they were the young cadets. They were collecting money for a veterans group, which was nice.

[Dinger]

3. So Recruiters Are Going After Third Graders?

I'd like to see them TRY that in my classroom!

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. Get them while they are young, indoctrinate them while they are pliable...

And they will be yours for life.

I believe Goebbles said something like that with regards to the Hitler Youth.

[Bluerthanblue]

6. my first b-f was a "sea-bee"

from what i remember it was much like this.

Didn't do much for him though. He's in prison.

:shrug:

[DS1]

7. Well, thanks to the link posted above, I can tell you it's not a Gubmint program

it's more like a charity built around a gift-store.

[MetaTrope]

8. Nice to see the international exchange program there

And no weapons training in evidence...

[Nihil]

9. Classic! Out of the mouths of babes, sucklings and recruiters ...

Re-arranging his last paragraph:
> A self-described "stupid kid," Kenney joined the Young Marines at age 12
> credited his stint in the Young Marines for putting him on
> the path that led him to the shifting sands and dangerous back alleys
> of Iraq.

Sounds like it didn't change him much then!
:rofl: