Q&A with Rebecca Wilcox

Residence: Warner Robins

Occupation: Freshman, Warner Robins High School

Q: So you're a Marine?

A: Yes, sir. I'm a Young Marine.

Q: What are the Young Marines?

A: It's an organization for anyone 8 through high school age that teaches responsibility, teamwork, leadership, life skills, community service and other character traits. You might call it teaching Marine character to get you ready for the outside world and help you be a better person. Our moto is "Strengthening the lives of America's youth."

Q: What drew you to be a Young Marine?

A: One of my best friends was in it and I saw how much fun they were having and how it was a way to learn about loyalty and leadership. I wanted to become a leader.

Q: Are you having fun as a Young Marine?

A: Yes, sir. It's fun and very challenging. Like, we have encampments which are a lot of fun. At our last one I won a challenge coin for things I did like doing physical training exercises correctly and for a skit I organized for our bonfire night. Also, because I was observed helping others with their performance throughout the encampment.

Q: How long have you been in? What's your rank?

A: About a year. I'm a Young Marine Lance Corporal.

Q: What difference has being a Young Marine made in your life or outlook?

A: Personally, I was pretty much just lying around the house being a couch potato in my spare time before I joined. I didn't have much in the way of social skills. Now I've learned how to get out there and do things for my community and I think a lot better of myself. I have goals and a lot more confidence.

Q: You're a high school freshman, but do you have future plans already?

A: I'm probably looking at a military career or being a CPA.

Q: Who sponsors Young Marines? How did it start?

A: It was begun by the Marine Corps League and chartered nationally in 1965. Our local adult leader is Jim Berres, who's a gunnery sergeant and a member of the Marine Corps League. Our unit is only about a year-and-a-half old.

Q: How many Young Marines are there locally?

A: About 15.

Q: And what does "locally" incorporate?

A: It's the Middle Georgia Young Marine unit and includes Warner Robins, Macon and other area towns.

Q: What are meetings like?

A: We meet Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8 (p.m.) at Rutland High School in Macon. We have physical training, talk about drug awareness -- which is a big part of Young Marines -- and learn and do all kinds of things while we work our way through the Young Marine program. We also play volleyball and soccer and have a lot of fun. It seems like having fun is one of the main things no matter what we're doing.

Q: Outline the program. What are some of the things you learn and work through?

A: There are three Young Marine levels: basic, junior and advanced. You work your way through the levels and advance in rank just like you would in the Marines. Besides local meetings we have meetings and special schools and events we go to here and out of state. We learn things like CPR and first aid, problem solving and solving mental problems, map reading and compass navigation, like navigating with a compass at night through the woods, swimming skills, marksmanship, and we have writing exercises and have discussions. There's really a lot, a lot more.

Q: What benefit is the program to the community?

A: It teaches us not to let our community down and to do what we can to help people around us. We do quite a few community projects.

Q: What are some?

A: We've been involved in memorial ceremonies for veterans and flag dedications. We've placed flags at Rose Hill Cemetery and led the Pledge of Allegiance at a bunch of city council meetings. We visit nursing homes, do things for the Children's Hospital in Macon and have done projects to help families in need and worked with Toys for Tots. We donated a bunch of jeans to Abba House in Perry. One of the big things we've done is arranged for businesses to provide materials for a memorial monument for Sgt. Rodney Davis of Macon. He's a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War. The memorial is at the base of the big flag at Camping World in Byron, and we hope to do more of those for Georgia Medal of Honor recipients.

Q: What's the connection between the U.S. Marines or Junior ROTC programs?

A: Well, of course I'm not a member of the military and Young Marines doesn't recruit you or commit you to serve in the Marines or anything, but it does teach U.S. and Marine history and respect for our country and the Marines, as well as Marine values. We don't learn combat skills, but we do learn drills. It's not like a Junior ROTC program because it isn't part of a particular school and it's a separate nonprofit organization.

Q: How can others find out more or get involved?

A: They're welcome at any Tuesday meeting or can contact our commander, Jim Berres, at 478-297-0034 or gysgtberres@gmail.com.

Answers may have been edited for length and clarity. Compiled by Michael W. Pannell. Contact him at mwpannell@gmail.com.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 10:15 AM with the headline "Q&A with Rebecca Wilcox ."