The Santa Clarita Valley Young Marines recently welcomed 11 new Young Marines into their family upon the recruits’ graduation from boot camp training on March 17.

Recruit class 1801 was the “Master Gunnery Sergeant Edgar D. Bressell” platoon, named after and honoring a United States Marine, who not only served more than 40 years of active and reserve duty in the Marine Corps, but was also a Los Angeles Police Officer for 29 years.

The 11 recruits, commanded by Master Sergeant Tim Stratton, USMC Retired, ranging in age from 9 to 17 years old, completed “Boot Camp” that morning after showing up at 0445 hours and hiking up into the hills above Castaic for their “Grad Challenge.”

They completed multiple team tasks which culminated in a run to the top of one of the hills, then formed up and were called “Young Marines” for the first time and each was given the unit challenge coin, which was so well earned by all, to carry at all times.

Recruit training consisted of three weekends of training and classes from drill to 1st Aid, Marine Corps and Young Marine history, officer and enlisted rank structure, the Young Marine Creed and Obligation, the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance plus courtesy to others.

There was also a physical fitness test and a 100-=question written test to pass.

The last day was not only the “Grad Challenge,” but also consisted of a stop by Los Angeles County Fire Station 149, breakfast and finally getting to try on and wear their uniforms for the first time plus a graduation ceremony attended by family, friends and VIPs.

The recruits also received Congressional Recognition Certificates from Congressman Steve Knight and Los Angeles County Recognition Certificates from Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Two recruits were promoted to Private Frist Class: recruit Jaime Orozco for his outstanding drill and performance and recruit Sean Paras for achieving the highest physical fitness score and highest academic score. Private First class Paras was also the platoon honor graduate.