MARINE CORPS AIR STATION KANEOHE BAY - Pyramid Rock Young Marines in Recruit Platoon 2-14 graduated from recruit training during a ceremony in Hangar 101 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, May 17, 2014.
This is the fourth recruitment class to graduate from the Pyramid Rock Young Marines since the unit’s establishment at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in October 2012.
The class completed more than 46 hours of training in the course of eight weeks. Training included instruction in Marine Corps drill, an encampment in one of the hangars as well as various written and physical tests.
“It was not easy for any of them, and a great achievement by all,” said Lt. Col. John DiGiovanni, commanding officer of the Pyramid Rock Young Marines.
Young Marines Dalton Cadd, Felipe Faria and Christopher Hicks received congratulations and a certifi cate of completion from DiGiovanni and the guest of honor, Sgt. Maj. William R. Sweet, the sergeant major of Headquarters and Service Battalion for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacifi c.
“Finally recruits, you’ve completed recruit training and today will earn the title ‘Young Marine,’” Sweet said. “You represent your family, this unit, our base, and our program of more than 300 units across the United States and overseas. We will continue to follow the Corps values (of) honor, courage (and) commitment, joined with the Young Marines’ discipline, leadership and teamwork. You will use these traits in everything you do, and you’re a Young Marine (24 hours a day, seven days a week). Congratulations on a job well done.”
Recruit training also includes a physical fitness test, based on The President’s Challenge, from the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. Young Marine recruits must complete many exercises, including situps, push-ups, and a mile or half-mile run depending on the recruit’s age, according to the Young Marines Training Offi cers Manual at www.youngmarines.com.
During the ceremony, Hicks received the Ironman Award and Academic Achievement award and was promoted to Young Marine private first class. He said he joined the Young Marines to show his parents that he can improve his performance in aspects of his life like school. He said he was happy to receive the award.
Cadd said he wanted to join the organization because his father is a Marine and he will have something to do on Saturdays. Faria said he joined the Young Marines because he thought it would be fun.
All three recruits agreed that the most challenging part of their training was the PFT. Hicks said the hardest part about recruit training was the physical fitness test.
“I normally start my speed off really fast so it was tiring for me to do that,” Hicks said. “I tried my best to get through it.”
According to DiGiovanni, the Young Marines spent the year performing various types of community service, including volunteering for Marine Corps Community Services Hawaii races and various events for the American Legion and Marine Corps League.
The Young Marines supported in various ways, from handing out water to guiding participants during races to providing color guard formations for veteran events. The Young Marines volunteer at the Aloha Shelter on a monthly basis, and have also celebrated children’s birthdays at the shelter.
DiGiovanni said he hopes the Pyramid Rock Young Marines unit remains active aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii and continues “to grow so we can support our community better.”
For more information about the Pyramid Rock Young Marines, email PyramidRockYM@gmail.com.