The First Junior Boot-Camp came to a close Sat. Nov. 8th Morning at 11am and boy what a Great Boot-Camp it was.

It all started with a Registered (15) prospective Junior Recruits signing up.  It actually ended with only (6) daring Juniors. 

They carried the weight of the other (9) that backed out. Starting yesterday at 6pm the recruits started the day with a ride to Back-Bay.  We marched them into the sand with backpacks on.  Then we hustled them back through the dunes.  (1) Hour of humping through the dunes and sand.  The next objective was to get them fed, but before that they would have to hump another 5 laps around the Karate Parking lot.  Then came there first Junior Marine Corps Dinner. They had all of two minutes to down their food.  None finished before they had to throw the rest away.  Then came more running and then it got real good with the low crawl infiltration course.  They all

had to low crawl through smoke grenades and then stand through the smoke while at attention.  At one point you could not even see the kids, they had so much smoke around them. Then came the night time assault course of which two juniors would have to protect their fort.  None past the course and all had to run for it.  Then came more food with a little more time to eat, (all of 5 Minutes).
 

Then more running with each member having a chance to be squad leader.  The squad leader led the team and also took the fall for the team when any of them messed up.  The Team Leader had to carry the flag the whole time and if dropped they dearly paid for that.

 

The night started with each Junior learning how to March and Stand at attention as well as Left Face and Right Face.  They hit the sleeping bags around 10:45pm. They were tired but they new they would not get much sleep.  After 45 minutes of outside sleeping on the ground, they were rudely awakened and had to drag their sleeping bags and run.  Back inside they went to do drills up and down the stairs with Medicin Balls, Up-steps and Down steps. Then back in the sack, but there was a problem.  Somebody was messing with the troops so each had to stand a 30 minute watch

and all the recruits had to sleep with there weapons just in case.  ( Weapons were pads and sticks).  During the night they were awoken 3 times and

finally at 3:45am the drill instructors let them get 2 and 1/2 hours of sleep.  At 6:50am Drill instructor Mr. Bill took charge and straightened them all up. 

They will always remember Mr. Bill.  In the evening hours the night before it was Mr. Mark and Mr.Craig but then Mr.Markus who joined the Drill Instructors later in the evening. Mr. Bill drilled the recruits for 1 Hour and a half until 8:30am when they broke for chow.  Each recruit had to write two pages of why they Love the Junior Marine Corps and also how Karate has helped each of them.  Here are some of what they said:

 

What has Karate done for me and what do I think of Craig Smith Karate:
 

Markus writes:  The karate gives me discipline and self defense and also keeps my body fit.  As well as respect for other people.
 

Emilee writes: Karate is important to my life and I love karate.
 

Darius writes: Karate and Kickboxing is good exorcise and a way to make friends. (He did in this camp because everyone had to help each other and work together.No recruit was leftbehind, they ran together and slept together and PT'd together.)
 

Jessica writes: Karate helps me keep safe so if anything happens I know how to defend myself.
 

A.J.writes: I have been here 4 years and have met allot of friends and I Love Craig Smith Karate.
 

Eve Writes: It helps you learn self defense and Mr. Craig and the others are good teachers, and also helps me with my school grades.

 

How has Boot-Camp helped them and what do they think of it:
 

Eve: Boot-Camp makes you very respectful.
 

Darius: Boot-Camp is almost like Playing, I like it.
 

Jessica: Boot-Camp is very Respectful as well and I cannot wait to tell my friends that I did it.
 

Emilee: Boot-Camp is very fun.
 

Markus: What Boot-camp has done for me is realize how the Marines are.
 

A.J.: Hey guys come join us I am having fun, Boot-camp is fun.

 

BigE. joined the Drill Instructors about 3am and also helped Friday night and this Sat. morning.  After Mr. Bill left, the team did field day (Cleaning).

At that time they were finishing up cleaning with Mr.E.  He is asking them questions and had some fun with them.

The morning was almost coming to a close and the parents would be picking them up at 11am.
 

One thing that ALL the instructors had noticed and said about these young Marines is:  They are ready to be Real Soldiers One Day and have a head start on all the rest of the recruits who try and do what they have done, especially at such a young age.
 

I for one have been really impressed with all of them. Jessica's Leadership skills to Darius giving 100%.  As well as the youngest Emilee keeping up with all the rest and also out doing some of the recruits.  They all are GREAT kids and this will help them all. We are hoping to continue this program, maybe even once a month.  Maybe in the future these young Marines can be the Team Leaders of the next group and help show them how its done. Thanks to all of the parents who allowed this to happen and to all the Young Marines, Great Job!!!