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By Bill Davis

Posted: Jan 9, 2012 11:31 AM

Bossier Sheriff's Department is currently accepting applications for Class 24 of the Young Marines which begins Feb. 18.

Bossier Sheriff Young Marines is open to all Bossier Parish youth, aged 8-17, and is sponsored by Bossier Sheriff Larry Deen and the Bossier Sheriff's Department.

"Our Young Marines program is the best tool to help shape the lives of young people," said Deen. "The young men and women learn skills that will take them into adulthood - character building, discipline, leadership and teamwork."

Upon joining the Young Marines, recruits undergo basic recruit training for 13 weekends at the Young Marines facility at 601 Ogilvie Street in Bossier City. They will learn military history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness, rank structure and other subjects pertaining to life skills. Most importantly, the youth will learn to bond and relate with other young recruits and the opportunity to interact with caring adult mentors who are committed to providing them with a safe place to develop and grow with special emphasis on the love of God and fidelity to our country.

Once they complete recruit training and become Young Marines, they will have opportunities to learn new skills, earn rank, wear the Young Marine uniform and have unique opportunities for learning and adventure.

Young Marines is a national program founded in 1958 and is the official youth program of the United States Marines Corps. The Bossier Sheriff's Department was the first law enforcement agency in North Louisiana to implement the program, which began its first class of recruits on Dec. 7, 2002. Since then, the lives of nearly 900 young men and women have been impacted by the Bossier Sheriff Young Marines program.

"For nearly 10 years, the Young Marines program here at the Bossier Sheriff's Department has transformed boys and girls into young men and women," said Lt. Norman Craig, commanding officer, Bossier Sheriff Young Marines. "It's a program for any youth...those who doing well in school and those who might be struggling. We teach traits that all young people can use, such as how to make wise choices, and help give them the confidence they need to handle the problems they will encounter in life."

To sign up for the Young Marines, call the Bossier Sheriff's Department at 965-3500 or 965-2203. You can obtain an application and find out more about the program by going to www.bossiersheriff.com and clicking on the "Special Services Division" tab.

Bossier Sheriff Young Marines Class 23, which completed its 10th weekend of training on Jan. 8, will graduate on Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Viking Drive Substation at 2510 Viking Drive in Bossier City.