MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Students at the Phoenix Academy in Apple Valley, California are finishing out their 10-week SHOCK course with mentorship by three Marines from Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
SHOCK stands for Self-Discipline, Honor, Obedience, Character and Knowledge and the program was created by the Apple Valley Police Activities League in 2007 due to a need for intervention for students between the ages of 12 and 17.
“The program is 10 weeks, and we meet three days a week for about three hours,” said Cpl. Manuel Ruiz, heavy equipment operator and mechanic at Strip 8, Fleet Support Division on the Yermo Annex aboard MCLB Barstow. “It is designed to guide kids that are making poor life decisions into more positive directions. It is also intended to make them realize the negative consequences of their actions. We want to see them succeed in life and to accomplish goals.”
SHOCK is intended to do just that, shock the students into realizing that their life choices matter. It also helps to combat some of the negative influences facing youth in today’s society. This is something that some Marines can connect with and understand, which motivates them to want to help the students.
“The program is special to me because I was a troubled youth, coming from a pretty chaotic home life and hanging out with some wrong people,” said Sgt. Kenneth Mullins, training noncommissioned officer for the base. “My goal is to help at least one of these kids overcome their circumstances. A lot of these kids come from broken homes, abusive homes, and single parent homes. Sometimes the damage is too overwhelming and it may seem impossible. However, these kids are incredible.”
Corporal Ruiz speaks to a similar drive to help people in general, but especially kids and teenagers.
“I can relate to them,” he said. “Believe it or not, I used to be one of these kids. I've had several of these problems that these kids are going through, from arguments with sibling to abuse in the family, gangs, fights, drugs, alcohol, bullying, to getting kicked out of a foster home, and even being sent to juvenile detention facilities and being placed in group homes… all before I turned 15. I was living on my own and being an adult by 17 and still trying to take care of my older siblings.”
It was at juvenile hall that Ruiz met with a staff member who intervened in his life and helped him realize his mistakes.
“Now I want to return the favor to as many kids as I can,” he said. ”On graduation day of the first SHOCK class I was involved with, I received a Thank-you card from one of the students. He pretty much said how I opened his eyes and helped him realize that he was making bad decisions and how I had an impact on his life. He said he will always remember me for that. So, I made it a goal to at least have a positive impact on another kid, again.”
The program is designed to simulate a boot camp atmosphere, with students dressing in uniforms, and engaging in physical fitness training, as well as some military type of activities like close order drill maneuvers. The leadership team, consisting of police officers, cadets and Marines, use the physical activity as a way to promote teamwork and improve impulse control.
SHOCK staff and guest speakers teach classroom portions and cover topics such as Life Skills, and even includes a mandatory “Parent Project” to assist parents and guardians with effective parenting tools.
“Statistically, those who graduated SHOCK got better grades and got better chances to go to college instead of jail,” said Sgt. Maxim Krymov, retail assistant manager, combat marksmanship trainer for the base. “Apple Valley PD are tracking performance of all those who graduated in the past and it's proven to be a successful program.”
They started the session with 22 students, and 15 will graduate on Thursday, April 25. Included in the graduation ceremonies are families, friends, as well as local dignitaries, ready to show the students just how proud they are, including the staff.
“I believe the majority of the kids who participate in the class and put effort in are impacted in a positive way,” Ruiz said. “They are still growing into young adults and I hope that they have a positive role model in their lives. For me as a volunteer, I learn how to talk with kids and tell my life experiences. It makes me happy that at one point I was one of these kids and had the choice to make myself better. I just like helping them out.”
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