Devil Pup joins Devil Dogs at celebration
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| Devil Pup graduation ceremony, July 27, 2013 |
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| Marine drill sergeant Finch and Devil Pup Jaeger Schnuerle. |
For those who don't know, "Devil Dog" is the endearing appellation bestowed by German soldiers upon the ferocious U.S. Marines they were forced to fight in World War I. Camp Pendleton is one of two Marine Corps training bases that turn everyday youthful recruits who have what it takes into Devil Dogs.
In 1953, retired Marine Corps Colonel Duncan Shaw, Sr., learned that a group of teenagers burned an American flag at a Southern California high school.
Aggravated by this activity and the attitudes among American youth it represented, Colonel Shaw and a group of retired Marine Corps Reserve Officers, now prominent Southern California businessmen, asked the Commandant of the Marine Corps to help with a community benefit project that would aid the development of character qualities in teenage boys and girls, and enable them to become healthier and more successful young citizens.
That was the birth of the Devil Pups (http://www.devilpups.com), a non-profit organization designed to help western state boys and girls ages 14 to 17 from all backgrounds gain self-confidence and learn to take responsibility for their actions.
Jaeger, who has long professed a desire to serve in the military, heard of the program last year and wanted to go then. After looking into it, though, his parents, Toby and Jamie, thought it sounded a little too intense for what they feared was a whim.
When, a year later, Jaeger remained insistent, his parents relented.
But you don't just waltz into Camp Pendleton or Devil Pup training. First you have to be vetted; you have to earn the right to attend. Jaeger did, passing interviews, fitness and medical tests. Of 300 Devil Pups in his training cycle, he was one of only three from Idaho.
While not officially affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps, Devil Pups are trained by active duty Marine Corps drill instructors, a group of highly trained professionals not noted for being either warm or fuzzy. Within sight and sound, Devil Pups can see the rigors Devil Dog recruits undergo in boot camp.
When he came off the parade deck after graduation, Jaeger tearfully hugged his Mom.
"I love you and missed you, Mom," he said. "I will be a Marine."
On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution creating “two Battalions of Marines be raised,” and in every war and conflict since, the United States Marine Corps has earned the world’s respect as an elite and reliable fighting unit wherever put into combat.
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| Bill Sills, Jaeger Schnuerle and Eldon Koon celebrate the 238th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. |
Jaeger was surprised to have been invited as a guest of retired Marine top gun fighter pilot Tim Wilson, a Marine Jaeger looks up to as a mentor and role model.
He was by far more surprised to be called forward and introduced as Boundary County's youngest Marine, and asked to take part in the solemn cake cutting ceremony with two tried and battle tested Marine veterans, Bill Sills and the county's eldest Marine, Eldon Koon, one of the "Chosin Few" who fought in the terrible "Frozen Chosin" during the Korean Conflict under the legendary Marine Lewis "Chesty" Puller, who said at the time, "We're surrounded. That simplifies our problem of getting to these people and killing them."
While he's not officially a U.S. Marine as yet, Jaeger is amazed at being accepted and welcomed into that storied fraternity, especially by Marines who lived and are part of the legacy.
Semper Fi, Marines. Happy belated birthday. Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are.
Editor's Note: As a former enlisted artilleryman in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, it was difficult not to apply the appellation "Jar Head" in the writing of this article. As a citizen of the United States, I salute and thank all who have served, are serving and will serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves and National Guard. Not just on Veterans Day, but every day.