February 2, 2000

Beyond basic training

Young Marines graduate from three-month 'boot camp'

By Garret Leiva
Herald editor
       With their eyes staring straight ahead, shoulders back and chins up, nine members of the Traverse City Young Marines put their best pivot foot forward during a graduation ceremony Thursday at the Army Reserve Armory in Traverse City.
      With a standing room only crowd of family and friends looking on, the 'boot camp' recruits received their basic training certificate after nearly 14 weeks of marching, standing at attention, saluting and learning the meaning of semper fidelis.
      Starting last September, these Young Marines met every Thursday night for training exercises. "This group was fantastic, they actually graduated a couple weeks early," noted Brian Wheelock, who worked with the 'boot camp' recruits.
      Receiving a red, white and blue basic training uniform ribbon bar were the following: Travis Deemer, Brian Trstenjak, Chris Charland, Benny Bachi, Michael Slaterline, James Slaterline, Mitchell Cook, Kayla Thomas, Erika Stegmeyer. The graduates also earned the rank of private in the Young Marines.
      Other individual awards presented included two semper fidelis awards. Based on the United States Marine Corps motto of "always faithful," the citations were given out to Brian Trstenjak and Benny Bachi. Receiving the honor recruit award and the rank of private first class (Pfc.) was Erika Stegmeyer. Selection criteria for this award included exceptional leadership skills and excelling in physical training.
      These graduates now join the 40 other Young Marine members of the Traverse City Unit, which originated in the spring of 1973. Nationally, the Young Marine program was founded in Waterbury, Conn. in 1958. At present there are more than 3,000 Young Marines registered in the United States.
      Commander Ed Wilson noted that the Young Marine program is not a pre-military organization. Anyone taking part in the Young Marines is in no way obligated to join the armed forces. Instead, the group takes the disciplines and traditions of the United States Marine Corps and adapts them to a youth level.
      The Young Marines program is for both boys and girls, from ages 8 to 18 years old. Activities include marching in National Cherry Festival parades, compass and map work, first aid and CPR, swimming, camping and safety classes. Members also go on bivouacs all year round, including a weekend camp out this February.
      Beyond learning attention and parade rest, Young Marines also take an active role in the community. Fund-raising and special activities include the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, Koins for Kids and the State of Michigan's Adopt-a-Highway program.
      Before any camping or fund-raising, one last bit of 'boot camp' training remained. This order, however, was simple and painless - yet highly symbolic.
      "Undoing the top button on your uniform is kind of like graduating from high school and throwing your (mortarboard) up in the air," said Wheelock, who noted that during 'boot camp' recruits wear uniforms completely buttoned up. "It is a moment that will stick with them."