Thirteen-year-old Amia Moore, a rising eighth grader at Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School in Albany, wants to make the world a better place. She is happy to have found a path to that goal through her recent involvement with the Albany Young Marines, a youth program which focuses on leadership, community service, self-discipline and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
“I JOINED THE YOUNG MARINES LAST YEAR, AND IT HAS INSPIRED ME TO WANT TO DO MORE FOR MY COMMUNITY AND MY COUNTRY,” MOORE SAID. “I BELIEVE THAT THE LEADERSHIP, DISCIPLINE AND TEAMWORK I LEARNED IN THE YOUNG MARINES HAS HELPED ME BUILD MYSELF UP, WHICH MEANS THAT I CAN BUILD OTHERS UP, TOO. THIS HELPS THE COMMUNITY AND JUST MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.” Leadership, discipline and teamwork are, in fact, the core values of the Young Marines, a program for boys and girls ages 8 to 18. Started by several former U.S. Marines in Connecticut in 1959, today the highly respected youth organization has grown to more than 238 units. The focus, though, has remained the same: to strengthen the lives of America’s youth and to develop future leaders. In our community, the Albany Young Marines, under the leadership of Eric Crump with assistance from his wife Adriana, is experiencing a resurgence. With just four participants at the beginning of 2021, the local unit has grown to about 30 active
8 VOL. 22 | ISSUE 3
members and is on track to hit 40 recruits by year’s end. "The Young Marines program is based on the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment,” Crump explained. “Of course, discipline is important. It's a program anybody can excel in as long as they apply themselves." The program offers leadership development and other life skills through training that mirrors the values of the Marine Corps. New recruits undergo 26 hours of orientation training, concentrating on history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness and military rank structure. After graduating from Young Marine Recruit Training, members have the opportunity to earn rank, wear the Young Marine uniform and work toward ribbon awards for achievement in areas such as leadership, community service, swimming, academic excellence, first aid and drug resistance education. The group meets twice a month on Sundays at the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport for several hours of training and drills. Community volunteers make the program possible. In fact, the Crumps are both volunteers who got involved so that their sons could benefit from the program. In addition to the Crumps, other parent volunteers and members of the Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany (MCLB) participate in training activities. Dan Gillan, CEO of the Albany Area YMCA and chair of the
