Devil Pups Get Marine Corps Lessons on Growth Through Challenge
By: Dick Taylor
Topics: marines, Devil Pups, youth, training, Military, summer camp
Posted by rdtusmc Mon Aug 11, 2008 13:42:44 PDT
Viewed 401 times
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Preparing young men and women, ages 14 to 17, for what life will bring them may seem like a valuable goal for a summer camp, but it takes on a new meaning when it is instilled by sweat and by screaming Marine Corps Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs).
That’s exactly what happened for 300 teenagers from California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton this summer. The 10 day program ended with a graduation and awards ceremony at the base on Saturday August 9th, attended by hundreds of family members and friends. The Devil Pups Youth Program for America was created in 1954 as a better way for young individuals to spend part of their summers in a military environment.
U.S. Marines were referred to as “Devil Dogs” in World War I by enemy troops for their battlefield accomplishments and ‘never give up’ spirit. The Devil Pups name is derived from this Marine Corps heritage.
The program is tailored to build self confidence and discipline, through a series of mental and physical challenges, and that is putting it lightly. Under the watchful eyes and “encouragement” of Marine NCOs, camp participants achieve a myriad of tasks like beach runs up to 5 miles, tower jumps into a swimming pool, and a formidable hike up ‘Ole Smokey’, a foreboding mountain overlooking the School of Infantry and the Pacific Ocean. They also learn teamwork, and respect for others, their family and their country.
One of those NCOs, Sergeant Douglas A. Hawks, is a Devil Pup Platoon Commander and an active duty Marine from Craig, Colorado said, “It’s not just building our youth, it’s building our Country. If you have squared-away citizens, you’re going to have a squared-away Country”.
Twenty four graduates of this year’s program were selected from Kern County: Joseph Armijo, Arthur Bermudez, Jordan Finch, Tyler Hayes, Daniel Hernandez, Rene Hernandez, Michael Machado, Brandon McClay, William Mosley, Denzil Nutall, Christian Peterson, Charles Porter, Aaron Ramirez, Wesley Ruments, Alejandra Tarango, Mitchell Taylor, Felix Trevino, Emilio Valdez, Warren Williams, Shanisha Wandick, Ali Willingham, Tommy Willingham, Charles Wise, and Matthew Wright.
At graduation, three young men and women from Kern County were presented additional awards for their accomplishments at camp by Colonel J.B. Seaton III, Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. Joseph Armijo and Felix Trevino were recognized for scoring in the top five percent of the 300 participants for their exceptionally high physical fitness scores; Ali Willingham was selected as the female platoon Honor Graduate; and Joseph Armijo was presented the Robert Petersen Award for demonstrating extraordinary leadership skills.
Retired Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael A. Rhodes, an instructor in the program says, “There’s a better way for kids to spend their summer and this is it. It’s the mentorship, the goal setting and dealing with difficult situations that makes a difference in these kids. Everyone experiences fear, but it’s the choice of what you do with that fear that sets you apart from your peers”.
For additional information on how to apply, visit the Devil Pups website at: www.devilpups.com
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