(Really) Young recruits graduate at Pendleton

[unhappycamper]

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/aug/23/young-marines-camppendleton-kids-training/?st



Young Marines opens new recruit training session

Young recruits graduate at Pendleton
By Linda McIntosh
6:30 a.m.Aug. 23, 2013

CAMP PENDLETON — Thirteen youth from North County and surrounding areas earned the title of Young Marines after completing several weekends of training at Camp Pendleton. The group of boys and girls ages 8 to 18 graduated from recruit training and joined the ranks of Eagle Young Marines during a ceremony Aug. 10 on base. The guest speaker was Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood, a supporter of the program.

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Once students complete recruit training, they can join Young Marine encampments and class sessions that build leadership skills. Students advance through the ranks as they prove themselves.

The training instills discipline, leadership and teamwork“ it strengthens kids mentally and physically,” said Patti Siegmann, executive officer for the Eagle Young Marines. Siegmann, a retired Marine who runs the program with her husband, Dwayne Siegmann, also a retired Marine, who serves as the group's commanding officer

Young Marine's training covers topics ranging from citizenship, drug education and military courtesy to Marine Corps history, military terms and the Pledge of Allegiance. The program includes exercises to build physical fitness and classes on subjects such as land navigation and compass training, close order drill and mountain survival.