Pain is weakness leaving the body !! - Young Marines of Miami-Dade

Unit Commander: Kenneth Ottley

Editor: Beverly Lopez May 12th, 2012 Edition

"In recent months, the Young Marines of Miami-Dade staff have been receiving inquiries from parents regarding their unmanageable, unruly, and/or problematic children. They were recommended or are inquiring about a program to help correct their child's problems. Please, understand that The Young Marines organization is not a summer camp, day care program or military school. We are not chartered as a "scared straight" or "boot camp" type of program for troubled youths nor can we "fix" children with discipline problems. Most importantly we are not credentialed social workers.

Although we have been successful in many of the above situations with our registered children who have completed basic training and remained with our program, it must not be an expectation that the program structure or our staff will work miracles in behavior modification with your child. Our staff members are parents just like you, not professionals qualified to handle such issues. Our staff, however, will try to re-enforce standards of good citizenship, leadership, behavior and academic achievement expected by any parent. These are the expectations of our society and the intent of us all. Let me be clear, if for whatever reason your child cannot adjust to the program or it is deemed that the program is not suited for the child's individual needs, you can withdraw them at anytime. (If their behavior is deemed unacceptable or a risk to the overall safety and security of our other children, they will be summarily discharged.) The Young Marines organization and the Young Marines of Miami-Dade are not responsible for their lack of correction or any perception thereof.

It should be noted that our MOTO is: "Strengthening the lives of America's youth". Our focus is on Drug Demand Reduction....."

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL 'SCHOLARSHIP FUND' TICKET STUBS AND MONIES ARE DUE ON SATURDAY, AS WELL AS PAYMENT FOR OUR WEEK-END ENCAMPMENT ($40.00)

JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER'S DAY: MS. AMORES WILL HAVE A MULTITUDE OF FLOWERS FOR SALE ON SATURDAY. ONLY $5.00 A BUNCH (CASH ONLY)

Mr Garcia wants everyone to be sure that their hair is at the proper length. If you need a haircut, please get one before Saturday. If you have ANY missing gear, they should be replaced. Please see Ms. Robin or Ms Beverly to place an order or to purchase an item that you are missing. HAVE ALL UNIFORMS NEAT AND PRESSED. I have seen some uniforms that are really unacceptable.

PARENTS: All parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to participate in the Parent Support Group which helps plan, organize and carry out many of our Young Marine activities, fundraisers and operations. Parents play a big part in their child’s success. We highly encourage parents to be part of the program whether it’s helping their son or daughter with learning their basic Young Marine skills to volunteering in unit activities. The biggest commitment a parent has to make is to assure your son or daughter comes to drill and takes advantage of opportunities the Young Marines have to offer.

Its very important that each year (just like you do for the schools) we receive an updated Physical Exam paper from the doctor. So when you have this done for the schools, please make a copy to turn in to us for your YM records. ALSO; It's just as important that we receive a copy of their report cards for their records. Remember they can receive ribbons for keeping their point averages up.

Chef Kathy will provide ‘Box Lunches’ to your Young Marine on Training days for the cost of $10. The box lunch menu will be different each time : The menu for the Training Meet of May 12th, 2012 is as follows:

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

garlic bread

Dessert

Fruit

Beverage

DIETERS CORNER, Chef Salad, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, ham, turkey, and eggs. (ummmm sounds great)

All of Chef Kathy's lunches are nutritious. Payment is to be made when you bring them to training that morning.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: If for any reason you have changed your address, house phone number, cell phone number or job phone number since you enrolled your child, please let us know. You need to inform us of these changes. We have run into circumstances where it was necessary to contact a parent only to find out that all numbers on the original enrollment forms are no longer valid. For emergency situations, the unit must have a contact number at all times.

Come dressed in your PT gear, black PT shorts and lite beige PT shirt. Have your Camouflage uniform without ribbons on a hanger preferably in a clothing bag with the rest of your gear in the Camouflage back pack. Remember to place your ribbons in your uniform pocket to have on hand at all times. Ensure you follow the instructions from Mr. Garcia for care and cleaning of your Camelbak. Bring it full and on your back. AS PER YOUR TRAINING OFFICERS, ALL YOUNG MARINES ARE TO BRING PAPER AND A PEN WITH YOU AT EVERY TRAINING MEET.

Remember, male YM’s are to have a fresh hair cut. Female YM’s have your hair in the approved bun.

There have been a number of Young Marines showing up for training with incomplete uniforms (missing covers, boots, etc), over and over again. BE ADVISED THAT IF YOU COME TO TRAINING WITHOUT YOUR COMPLETE UNIFORM, YOU WILL BE SENT HOME. You will be inspected prior to your parents leaving the premises.

There is a NEW form that must be filled out for any ribbon requests. This form will be handed out to everyone on Saturday:

YOUNG MARINES OF MIAMI-DADE

RIBBON REQUEST FORM

For new ribbons, appropriate documentation must be attached to this form. If you have a question about a certain award or device, please see your chain of command or check the criteria on the unit website or in the awards manual. This form and the supporting documentation are to be turned into the Mrs. Hood for review. Please keep a copy of your documents & allow at least 2 weeks for processing.

For replacement ribbons/devices, you must bring in the old ribbon and/or device or a copy of your award certificate to receive a replacement. Ribbons are $0.50, devices range from $0.50 to $1.50, and ribbon bars range from $0.40 to $4.85 and must be paid for before you will get a replacement. Replacements will be issued no later than the week after this form and ribbon, device, or certificate is presented to the Adjutant, unless they need to be ordered from National. If a ribbon or device needs to be ordered, the Young Marine will be notified as soon as it is received, by the Adjutant.

RECRUITS: All Recruits will be taking their written examination, along with being required to recite all of the verbal requirements (YM Obligation, Pledge of Allegiance; National Anthem and YM General Orders).Recruits, it is your obligation to study and know the information which has been taught to you repeatedly. Everything you need to know is in your guidebook and should have been highlighted!!!! If you fail to know the knowledge or pass the written exam, it will have an effect on whether you will be eligible to graduate recruit training at the end of the encampment. There are 4 recruits that still need to re-take and pass their PFT. In order to graduate, a recruit must pass their PFT. All recruits be prepared to retake the PFT, but those recruits that have not passed it , have been informed. Make sure that you have all the required uniform requirements, along with your guidebook, notebook, pen/pencil and yellow highlighter!!!

All new recruits, once you are signed up with the Young Marines and have paid the initial deposit, you will receive a Red YM T-shirt and a cover (camouflage hat). You are to wear these when attending all special events unless instructed otherwise. The following items should be placed in a bag marked with the Young Marine Recruits name for each training session. (You will be advised what to send on encampment week-ends via the newsletter).

When coming to ALL Young Marine Training Meets,

Come dressed in your PT gear (Black PT shorts, white t-shirt & running sneakers).
Until you are issued your Hydration Pac, Please be sure to bring a water bottle that can be refilled during the day.
Recruits MUST follow the requirements for Young Marine Regulations for hair grooming. Male YM's are to have a fresh haircut (cannot touch the ears or neck). Female YM's have your hair in the approved bun above the collar.
There is a 'SIGN IN' sheet with all the Young Marines / Recruits names on it. It is THE PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY to sign this sheet both when you bring your son/daughter to the training meets as well as when you pick them up. They are NOT to be driven off the premises unless this is done.
All Recruits and Young Marines MUST report to the training center at 7:00 AM.
Training day is over at 3:00 PM. PARENTS must be here at the center no later than 3:00 PM

The following items must be placed in a bag marked with the Young Marine Recruits name for each training session. (You will be advised what to send on encampment week-ends via the newsletter).

A Packed Lunch (unless you ordered a box lunch)
Basic Guidbook
Yellow Highlighter
Pen, Pencil & notepad
Plastic bag for wet clothes
2-white T-shirts - will be wearing one
Black PT Shorts - will be wearing
Running sneakers (not cross trainers) - will be wearing
2 pair of socks - will be wearing one
Long Blue Jeans
Belt
Baby Wipes
Hand Towel

Personal Hygiene kit if necessary (comb, brush, toothbrush, etc)

The National Adult Leadership Conference is scheduled for May 9-13, 2012 in Reno Nevada.

I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion." ~ Mia Hamm

Shake a Can Fundraiser for the Navajo Code Talkers Trip........

Publix- 15729 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines

May 19th and 20th

9 am to 4pm

Uniform of the Day: Camis (pressed) with ribons, white t-shirt, belt, boots (polished), boot bands, camel bac, cover, hair cut for boys and bun for girls. Professional appearance is a must. If you show up put of regulation you will be sent homw !!!!!! ******Be sure to bring a bag lunch or money to purchase lunch.

Car Wash – Future dates will be announced very soon.

The funds collected by the unit paymaster, are based on partial payments made by our parents. These funds will pay for YM uniforms and equipment that will be ordered after the final payment and issued prior to graduation. Other funds collected are from our fundraising events. Funds collected on April 28th and deposited are as follows.

$ 1000.00 recruit payments, JLS/SLS, sale of ribbons, uniforms & books,

$ 150.00 Lunch Fundraiser