MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz -- A group of Young Marines from schools in Phoenix and surrounding areas visited the station June 17-24 to interact with Marines and participate in a modified corporal's course.
The week-long program was held to instill Marine Corps values in the Young Marines, age 8 to 18, and was put together by corporal's course instructors as a condensed version of the course's current curriculum. The Young Marines were taught leadership, discipline and confidence to help them resist peer pressure and drugs, said retired Marine Capt. George B. Meegan, regimental commanding officer, Grand Canyon Regiment of the Young Marines.
Seven Marines from prior station corporal's courses led and mentored the young Marines throughout their stay on station.
Cpl. Joshua Estep, air control electronics operator, Marine Air Control Squadron-1, volunteered to help instruct the course, along with six other corporals from previous corporal's courses.
"I wanted to volunteer for this program because many of these kids don't have a positive mentor in their lives," said Estep, a Coal Grove, Ohio, native. "It is important to have a person that they can really look up to."
"This course gives the Young Marines an opportunity to work with each other and Marines in order to build a sense of pride in them," said Meegan, a Tempe, Ariz., native.
Meegan said since he became the commanding officer four years ago, he has noticed a significant, positive change in many of the Young Marines. His 23 years in the Marine Corps has helped him lead the Young Marines and instill values in them, which has improved many aspects of their lives, including school work, he said.
"One of our Young Marines was a D-student when he joined the program; now he is an A-student and recently got a meritorious promotion," said Meegan.
Young Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Armstrong said he enjoyed attending the course, because he enjoys learning about the Marine Corps. He said he hopes to someday be a Marine, and plans to work hard to achieve that goal.
Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. John Urban, Young Marine volunteer and resident of Gold Canyon, Ariz., said the program has also experienced a substantial increase in size since they attended the corporal's course here last year. The membership has risen nearly 30 percent with 35 now participating.
While on station, the 35 Young Marines learned close order drill, how to rappel and they participated in a four-squad competition. They also attended classes and lectures on drug prevention, customs and courtesies, etc.
"These children continue to come each year because there is a great enthusiasm here," said Urban. "This is a great experience for them to come here and be around active duty Marines. There is no better role model than a hard-charging corporal."
Urban retired after 23 years in the Marine Corps and decided to mentor Young Marines because he wanted younger children to get the discipline and decisiveness that he learned as a Marine.
Denette Reid, regimental adjutant and Mesa, Ariz., native, said she decided to volunteer with the Young Marines because she noticed the positive influence the program had on her two sons.
"When they joined the program, I think it saved the family," said Reid. "I noticed they had more discipline and confidence. I wanted to volunteer to give something back."
Reid said the annual trip is something the Young Marines look forward to each year, and she plans to come as many years as possible.
The Young Marines graduated from the course during a ceremony Friday at the station theater.
Urban said the Young Marines unit plans to continue coming back to the course each year.