MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE, Barstow –Marines aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow and the Apple Valley Police Activities League worked with 18 students from the Apple Valley School District in a 10-week program called SHOCK, the acronym for self-discipline, honor, obedience, character and knowledge. The program is designed to help direct troubled teenagers ages 13 to 17 in the right direction to a brighter future.
The students graduated the physically demanding and emotionally challenging class on Nov. 18, at Vista Campana Middle School
in Apple Valley.
“I got involved in the program when my parents recommended it to me through the school,” said David Caldera, 16, a student at
Granit Hills High School in Apple Valley. “At first, I thought I didn’t need (the program), that it was a waste of time.”
Before the program, Caldera was involved with gangs and drugs and because of SHOCK, he re-evaluated his choice of friends and
changed the group he hung out with, he explained.
During the 10-week program, Apple Valley Police Department officials and MCLB Barstow Marines conducted three classes a week
for the participants. The classes incorporated one hour of physical training and one hour of classes ranging in topics from teen pregnancy to everyday leadership skills. This is where the
Marines came in and shared their knowledge and personal experiences.
“These kids come from all different kinds of homes,” said Staff Sgt. Ruben Garcia Jr., the company gunnery sergeant for Headquarters
Battalion aboard MCLB Barstow. “We teach them that what they’re doing with gangs and drugs are wrong. We’re here to guide them to a better future.”
SHOCK is broken down into three phases. The first phase, when students first encounter their instructors, lasts for three weeks. The students are “shocked” by facing the reality of the consequences of their past choices and subsequent actions. What follows is an awareness of how to make better decisions.
“During the first phase, we shock the students by basically telling them that they’re wrong with what they’ve been doing,” said
Garcia. “At first it’s hard for them to understand, but there’s a reason for everything we do in this program.”
Ultimately, the Marines help the students to realize they are responsible for their choices, good and bad.
In phase two, the Marines teach the students more in-depth about the dangers of doing drugs, teen pregnancy and becoming involved with gangs. Volunteers come in and speak with the students about bullying, peer pressure and job opportunities after completing high school, said Garcia.
In the third and final phase, the students are encouraged to put their new-found knowledge to use. Marines and officers still correct the students, but do so in a more individualized manner.
At graduation, parents filled the audience and the students made a military style formation to receive their awards and certificates for
successfully completing the course. During the ceremony, the audience viewed a slide show that showed the strenuous and challenging experiences the students endured throughout the course. After the certificates were given out, students were reunited with their families to celebrate with cake and refreshments.
After the refreshments were served, families were introduced to other students in the program and the Marines and officers who helped guide them in the positive direction for the grueling 10-week program.
“Their lives right now might not be that bright,” said Garcia. “(But) we’re teaching them that they can have bright futures by teaching them better values.”