2011 Devil Pups graduate training

On July 10, 16 Northern Nevada teens completed in the annual 10-day Devil Pups summer encampment at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Only the most motivated volunteers are accepted into the program. The Devil Pups encampment is hosted by the U.S. Marine Corps. Highly qualified Marine personnel conduct every phase of their training.

While at Camp Pendleton the candidates attend numerous classes on leadership, the importance of education and the dangers of drug and alcohol use. They are challenged physically every day with mountain climbing, runs (up to 5 miles), swims, rubber boat training and abandon ship drills by jumping from a three-story tower into a pool.

They also learned close order drill (marching), and their proficiency was demonstrated when they marched onto the parade field for their pass in revue and graduation.

Lucas Spencer of Dayton and Hunter Hendricks of Minden were each given a special award for their outstanding physical achievements, during the Devil Pups graduation.

Spencer scored 400 points from a possible of 400 points and Hendricks scored 376 points on their final physical fitness test.

Carson-area 2011 Devil Pups are as follows: Cameron Fricke and Hunter Hendricks of Gardnerville, Daisy Tanner and Savannah Hall of Minden, Benjamin Ply and Lucas Spencer of Dayton, Luke Imison, Zackary Keener and Michael Moore of Fallon and Elise Porter of Carson City.

The generous donations of organizations, companies and individuals made the encampment possible and affordable. These donors are as follows: Kenneth and Marrietta Alexander, Jack McLeod, George and Lee Shaffer, Department of Nevada, Battle Born and High Desert Detachments of the Marine Corps League, the estate of Gary Magenhiemer, Tony Klein, Pat Rhodes, Jeff Johnston, Scott Frazier, Dennis Niehoff, A-1 Auto Body (Sparks), ICE-CWA Local 89118 (Fallon) and Master Craft (Carson City). Our screeners and testers are; CWO-4 Dennis Hansberry USMCR Retired, SgtMaj Wayne Baker USMC retired, 1stSgt Bob Roach USMC retired and Harry Hines. CWO-4 Dennis Hansberry USMC (Ret), Lee Hansberry, 1stSgt Bob Roach USMC (Ret) and Msgt Harry Marshall USA retired served as drivers.

Major George Class USMC (Ret) (Northern Nevada Devil Pups Liaison Officer) wishes to thank everyone that made the 2011 Devil Pups encampment possible.