Photo: "Young Marines" (Age 13-14) wear combat fatigues to school

I am a new teacher in a low socio-economic area in Southern California. I recently started substitute teaching for local middle schools and was very surprised to find that 1/3 of the boys in class on Friday were dressed in combat fatigues like the boy pictured below. Am I the only one who finds this a bit unsettling?

I talked to one young boy (8th grader) after school who explained that he wanted to be a Marine when he grew up because his father worked in construction and had a bad back. He explained that he would have to take care of his family one day. Aren't these kids too young to be aggressively groomed for the military?

I thought only those in the "axis of evil" had child soldiers...?

Kids shouldn't have to worry about that kind of stuff so young. Let them be kids before pushing a future on them.

Very young guy to worry about a family and all that already. He should be worrying about the next video game he would like to play and hanging out with his friends and learning in school. :\

Following through, when the time comes, is an entirely different matter.

Most boys that age romanticize war. Most get over it.

provided by the marines? do they hold training exercises?

sites. It appears to be run much like the boy-scouts. I know the boys where I teach could not have afforded the uniforms on their own--especially the boots which are small versions of combat boots.

combat tshirts and pants. disgusted to see these little 6 year old bodies both boys and girls. my kids want some i told them not a chance in hell. wont happen.

yes that was the beginning of the end for that school, for us

Or have they adopted it as a fashion, like some kids have adopted what I think of as ghetto dress?

Kessler, Michael natdirector@aol.com
Young Marines
2770 Enterprise Way Suite 126
Anacostia Annex, District of Columbia 20373-5810
United States
2028898745 Fax -- 2028890502

I about lost it! He wanted to join! I think I nearly had a stroke trying to figure out what to say to a 10 year old to let him know it wasn't JUST about the "cool" uniforms!

After my vision had stopped being fuzzy, I sat down with him and explained that these kids had been virtually recruited before they had the capacity to figure out what war was even about and THAT was against the law IMO he seemed to think differently. Of course I am one of those that can beat a dead horse over and over again when it comes to my kids safety. I did sit him down and explains some of the truths about Iraq and the fact that Iraq was only the first in a series of Middle East countries that we would likely end up going to war with and that HIS generation could very easily still be involved in fighting that war indefinitely if something isn't done to stop this mess. Needless to say, I scared the shit out of him as best I could and hopefully he knows the danger!

It's a pretty sad state of affairs when someone who comes from a military family has to teach their ten year old that "stranger danger" now comes in the form of the US military!

I was once in JROTC. We had a uniform day once a week, so there'd be a bunch of students walking around in uniform on those days.

white shirts, black pants, belt & sash. I'm sure the administration is allowing the uniforms in the same spirit as ROTC, but it is the combat fatigues that are unsettling to me. They are too young to be dressed for war.

I was in AFJROTC. We had the full Air Force unifor and everything complete with the cap and demilitarized combat rifles for drill practice and honor guard.

One of the boys handed me a flier with information about how to make a donation.

I have a friend in college now who is in the Air Force ROTC program. I guess I'll ask him about it sometime.

I interviewed a homeless guy last week who had been in it from 8-18, and he was in his late thirties. So much for providing for one's family.

They are getting them early. Bet they are giving the families some type of compensation for their children's souls.
It is ominous that they are getting them that young which could lead you to believe that we are in for never ending wars.
I think I saw a documentary once on the Nazi's that they indoctrinated the kids very early.

Hitler Youth? Not exactly the same but way to close for comfort if you ask me.

Youth. Why must we glorify war? That is a fascist attitude..

I think it is awful. Hitler Youth.

some people really really buy into the militaristic stuff.

????

Our armed forces can't get an 18 year old HS student with enough eduction and brains to sign up for this dirty war, but they can sure as hell convince a bunch of ten year olds who's parents are obviously a little sick in the head that the cool uniforms
they get to wear is a good enough reason for them to "promise" themselves when they are old enough and brainwashed enough to actually pick up the guns that are at this point taller than they are!

I wonder what goes on in those meetings they have? I know what goes on in boot camp. Have they designed a brainwashing/personality stripping technique for children at the elementary school level too? It wouldn't take much to accomplish this feat in a ten year old!

BTW, my ten year old says they run obstacle courses like the "regular military guys" and one of the kids he knows cut himself on barbed wire during one of those weekly "meetings." I don't know how much he really knows. he has only a passing acquaintance with ONE of the kids in his school in this group, but I don't think he is making that up. He's a football player so the obstacle course part of it sounded like "fun" to him!

Did you take the photo? Can you get a close-up of the patch?

the organization. I posted a link to the national site in a thread above, and I am doing some research. The photo is from a "Young Marines" website.

My thought is that during times of war, students in ROTC-type programs should be encouraged to wear a more formal military uniform. (I think it sends the wrong message otherwise). I might be wrong, but I think middle school is too young for this sort of thing period.

I am an Ex-Marine and I find this disturbing. Indoctrination of kids in economically disadvantaged areas for a future role in this nations military is troublesome. Bet you don't find this in affluent areas. Reality, the military is currently strapped, and will be strapped in the future. Recruitment is down, weekend warriors are much less likely to join now that war is a reality. The military needs to maximize efforts to increase it's ranks. Those in a lower economic position are being targeted.

Why is it that Mr. Locy, depicted in the photo, should be sacrificed for the ideals of Neoconservatism when the children of the rich and powerful are off at boarding school blissfully free of nationalistic indoctrination?

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/2651865481D2769D85256DEF003BC19E?opendocument

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Division of Public Affairs
Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Washington, D. C. 20380-1775
Telephone: 703-614-4309 DSN 224-4309 Fax 703-695-7460
Contact:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Release # 1201-03-0552
Nov. 12, 2003

DoD honors Bakersfield Young Marines with National Award for Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Education

WASHINGTON--The office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics awarded the Bakersfield Young Marines, from California, its top youth anti-drug award. The Department of Defense award was presented to the Bakersfield Young Marines at a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington. The Young Marines organization is the U.S. Marine Corps' official youth program to the Department of Defense for its drug demand reduction efforts.

Young Marines National Director Michael Kessler said the Fulcrum Shield Award is a tribute to the hard work and leadership that has been displayed by the Bakersfield Young Marines.

"They committed themselves to 12,000 hours of community service last year," Kessler said. "Their accomplishment is due to superior leadership and dedication to educate young people about a healthy, drug-free lifestyle." The Fulcrum Shield award is designed to recognize "independent" youth-based programs with a military affiliation.

Bakersfield Young Marines unit commander John Bacon said the Bakersfield community is never at a loss for activities. "Bakersfield is one of those big, small towns," he said. "There's a church or a school on almost every corner, and the kids work so hard to lend a hand. It gives each of them a sense of personal pride knowing they're involved with their community."

This is the second time for the Young Marines to receive the Fulcrum Shield Award. The first was presented to the Young Marines National Headquarters in 2000. Kessler said the combination of the classroom curriculum, community involvement and peer mentoring attributes to the recognition Young Marines receive around the country.

At the Pentagon ceremony to receive the award on behalf of Bakersfield Young Marines was Young Marine Corporal Aaron Ramirez (age 10) and his father Rick Ramirez. There to congratulate the winners were; Lynda Cater, best known for her 1970s role as "Wonder Woman;" Susie Castillo, Miss USA 2003; and, Darrell Green, seven-time All-Pro defensive back, four-time NFL Fastest Man, and two-time Super Bowl Champion of the Washington Redskins. Actor R. Lee Ermey, was also on hand to send his regards. Mr. Ermey garnered worldwide acclaim for his portrayal of Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrik's film Full Metal Jacket (1987). Ermey is the official celebrity spokesperson for the Young Marines organization.

The award was presented during the Department of Defense's Red Ribbon Week festivities. Red Ribbon Week began as a local tribute to Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" S. Camarena, who was kidnapped and killed by drug traffickers in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1985. The National Family Partnership adopted the Red Ribbon campaign in 1988, expanding it nationwide to advocate youth drug abstinence.

The Young Marines website is located at www.theyoungmarines.org.



-30-

http://www.s-t.com/daily/06-01/06-04-01/a03lo022.htm

Young Marines saluted for job well done
By Jim Butler, Standard-Times correspondent



NEW BEDFORD -- Almost 30 youths and their families gathered recently to mark this year's achievements of the Young Marines of Southeast Massachusetts. The Young Marines, the official youth program of the Marine Corps League, is for boys and girls aged 8 to 17. The Pleasant Street Regimental Armory accommodated a standing-room only crowd of more than 100 beaming relatives and supporters.

Included in this year's troop of 28 youths, aged 11 to 18, was the group's first female recruit, Courtney Senna, 11, who withstood the rigors of the intense 12-week boot camp training program. The guest speaker was the national director of the program, retired Lt. Col. Michael Kessler. Lt. Col. Kessler said New Bedford is a unique example of what the program is striving to achieve. "What these youngsters have accomplished is worthy of our recognition," he said. "They have shown remarkable moral courage in not only resisting, but overcoming, their environment and outside peer pressures. Their success is measurable and a bold example of what can and is being achieved through the nationwide Young Marines program. I am proud to be a central part of our goal of building lives."

He went on to include each parent and especially the men in attendance as vital ingredients to the program's success. He pointed out "that this regional group has a larger percentage of adult male-to-child participation than anywhere in the country, and this speaks highly of the kind of city New Bedford proudly represents."

George Barrows, representing the Onslow Detachment, Marine Corps League, presents Honor Graduate certificate to PFC Amy Barth. Graduation ceremonies took place 23 March.CO Capt. James Jones looks on.

Source: http://www.angelfire.com/nc3/lejeuneym/

Better drop a pound or two, lard-ass. You're too big a target. Go to Paris Island and sweat it off.

Bake

I guess he DIDN'T make it through basic training!

:headbang:
rocknation

I didn't understand what it was at the time. I thought maybe she had a father or brother in the Marines and this was some kind of support group thing for the kids. How wrong I was. How nightmarishly Third Reich. What a stain on the proud history of the U.S. Marine Corps.

He alone, who owns the youth, gains the Future!
-- Adolf Hitler, speech at the Reichsparteitag, 1935



Shortly after Hitler's rise to power in 1933, all German youth groups were merged into a single, regimented organization called Hitlerjugend, the Hitler Youth. Following the dictator's view that the youth of Germany would preserve the thousand year Reich, all children were heavily immersed in Nazi dogma from the age of 10.


http://militaryhistory.about.com/cs/hitleryouth/

If he's killed in action?

:shrug:
rocknation

That'll keep 'em going for awhile....

uniforms sends cold chills down my spine.

Hitler Youth, indeed.

<<BBRRRRRRRR>>

With patches and everything? If so, that's deeply disturbing. If it's just camo gear that came from regular stores because it's a popular print, that's not very disturbing.

right sleeve during class. (Right sleeve is rolled up).

and just kind of proves how the poor get sucked into the military, doesn't it? And why is it okay for kids to dress like soldiers? I'll bet the same school has policies against "gang-related" attire.

this is just wrong :(

exploitation of children