In a recent Town Talk with Mike McCool, publisher of the Royal Examiner, he had the pleasure of speaking with a remarkable young man, Milo Medina, and his proud mother, Celia. At just 14, Milo has already become somewhat of a local celebrity, capturing the hearts and minds of our community with his dedication to the Young Marines program.
Milo’s journey into the Young Marines began through family tradition. His father, a Marine Corps veteran, introduced him to the program after being impressed by the discipline and manners of young Marines he met while volunteering. Milo joined the program at the tender age of eight and has since risen to the rank of sergeant, becoming the platoon sergeant of his unit.
“My dad was very impressed with how well-mannered and respectful they were,” Milo explained. “He thought, ‘I want my kids to be in that program when they get old enough.’ So, when I was eight, I joined.”
Milo’s role in the Young Marines involves more than just drills and discipline. He’s a leader and a mentor, tasked with lesson planning and educating his peers on important issues like drug demand reduction. This initiative aims to inform youth about the dangers of drugs, a cornerstone of the Young Marines’ mission.
“The main part of the Young Marines is youth DDR, which is drug demand reduction,” Milo said. “We try to reach all the youth in the U.S., telling them the dangers of drugs and why you shouldn’t do them.”
Milo’s commitment to leadership is evident through his participation in the Young Marines’ leadership academies. He has completed the junior and senior leadership schools, earning ribbons for his achievements, and aims to attend the advanced leadership school next year. These programs teach vital skills such as decisiveness, public speaking, and effective communication.
“We learned how to be better leaders, how to be decisive,” Milo shared. “It was really fun. There were a ton of kids from the East Coast area.”
Balancing his commitments to the Young Marines and his education at Randolph-Macon Academy (RMA) is no small feat. Milo, who will enter the ninth grade, is already making his mark academically and socially. His experiences in the Young Marines have bolstered his confidence and public speaking skills, which he uses in school.
“I used to be petrified of speaking to adults and stuff,” Milo admitted. “But now, what I’m doing right now, I would not have wanted to do this before. The Young Marines taught me a lot about that.”
Milo’s mother, Celia, is immensely proud of his achievements. She credits the Young Marines program with instilling in him a sense of perseverance and discipline.
“He puts so much work and drive into everything he does,” Celia said. “The Young Marines program really helped him with that and taught him how to keep pushing and researching how to get better.”
Milo’s ambitions extend beyond the Young Marines. He dreams of attending the Naval Academy to study engineering and business, with the ultimate goal of becoming an officer in the Marine Corps and starting a hydroponics business.
“Naval Academy is my big dream,” Milo revealed. “I want to do my years of service while also learning and taking college. I want to own a hydroponics business. We’re building a greenhouse at my house right now.”
Milo’s dedication to the Young Marines has inspired his younger sister, who, at ten years old, is also part of the program and holds the rank of Lance Corporal. The Medina family embodies the spirit of service, community, and continuous improvement.
“It’s a competition right now,” Milo joked. “I’m going to see who gets higher first.”
Celia is also deeply involved, supporting her children and the broader community of young Marines. She emphasizes the importance of the program’s communal support and the life lessons it imparts.
“We treat all the kids as if they were our own,” Celia explained. “It’s about being a community and being there for all the youth.”
Milo’s journey with the Young Marines is far from over. Milo’s future is bright, with plans to reach higher ranks and his eyes set on the Naval Academy. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, discipline, and community support. The Young Marines program has shaped him into a leader and prepared him for a lifetime of success and service.
As the Town Talk concluded, Milo gives us a glimpse of his philosophy: “It’s always about perseverance, trying to improve yourself, not just as a young Marine but as a person.”
We look forward to following Milo’s journey and celebrating his future successes. His story inspires all young people striving to make a difference in their communities and beyond.
Click her to find out more about the Young Marines program.
About the Young Marines
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program open to boys and girls from age eight through high school graduation. This program is dedicated to promoting its members’ mental, moral, and physical development. It emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, encouraging members to live and advocate for a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
American youth are taught the importance of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring veterans, good citizenship, and community service through the Young Marines. By focusing on character building and leadership, the program prepares its members to become productive members of society.
In 1959, in Waterbury, Connecticut, a group of former Marines founded an organization for boys that mirrored the values of the Marine Corps. Their vision of offering leadership training and essential life skills laid the foundation for what would become the Young Marines. Today, the program has expanded to include over 236 units nationwide and is highly respected. Despite its growth, the focus remains the same: to strengthen the lives of America’s youth by teaching self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring veterans, good citizenship, community service, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The core values of leadership, teamwork, and discipline are deeply ingrained and practiced by all members.
Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. Let us know if you have an idea topic or want to hear from someone in our community. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com
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