Young Marines
The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. It promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marines is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps' youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.
Significance
REDdimension Wiki Circle member Kevin McNulty was a Young Marine from 1977 to 1979, attaining the rank of staff sergeant and winning the honor of regional and national Young Marine of the Year in 1979. His father, James McNulty was a Young Marine instructor during some of this time as well.
Young Marines, like the Marine Corps Reserve, hold drill once a month and have a summer encampment for two weeks each summer. Kevin's unit held drill at the Seal Beach Reserve Center, and he attended summer encampments on San Clemente Island and Camp Pendleton. It was at the former that he first develeoped a pilonidal cyst.
As part of the Young Marines, Kevin first learned marksmanship. He also learned to perform color guard duties, competitive drill, and marching. His unit marched in several parades. It was during his Camp Pendleton encampment that Kevin first learned the joys of chemical warfare when he was allowed to take the gas mask course and was exposed to CN gas as part of the training. He also learned military bearing, command presence, and common courtesy. To this day, he still frequently addresses people as "sir" or "ma'am."
