With one loud "Ooh-rah!" the 19 children dressed in uniforms ended 11 weeks of physical training, drills and studying and became leaders on Feb. 21.

The youth are recent graduates of the Young Marines and will now help train future recruits in the growing Wildomar organization.

"They need to be proud of what they did and who they are," said Executive Officer Scott Sandler. "These kids are leaving with self-confidence and a sense of belonging."

The US Marine Corps designated the Young Marines as the department’s focus for fighting drugs in nationwide communities in 1993.

The program aims to make youth ages 8 to 18 more responsible in their own lives, physically fit and to build character.

"We allow kids to grow and learn about responsibility," Sandler said. "But we are not for at-risk children. We are not a boot camp and don’t have the training to modify behavior. We are here to help students gain self-confidence."

Wildomar’s program used to be run out of Temescal Canyon High School but the leader had to leave and the unit almost folded.

The VFW Post 1508 in Wildomar invited the Young Marines to use the post as a meeting place and Sgt. Bill McDonald took over.

Last year the program had seven graduates. This year that number jumped to 19, with more recruits expected next year.

Once recruits graduate they remain part of the program but are given more responsibility and help run the Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] training and drills for the new recruit class.

The Wildomar Young Marines have spent time in San Diego and gone to Hawaii, where they raised flags over the USS Arizona.

At the start of the 11-week program, new recruits show up to the VFW Post for physical fitness.

The course focuses on physical training, drills, etiquette and Marine history with the goal for all recruits to graduate.

Mason Ruiz admits he was like most other teens; he spent weekends sleeping in, goofed off in class and got into trouble.

On Saturday, he was honored as the top recruit during the graduation.

"The first day I came I did not want to stay," the 13-year-old said, ending each sentence with "sir." "But the more I came the more I learned. They became my family and friends and I just kept showing up."

Robert Criske, 12, was one of seven to graduate the prior year. He helped train the new recruits and was on hand to congratulate them.

"It’s a great experience," he said. "It’s just the challenge. It keeps pushing you and you do things you never thought you could."

The Young Marines will host a buffet breakfast on March 7 at VFW Post 1508 at 21180 Waite St. in Wildomar.

The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until noon. Cost of the breakfast is $7 for pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and more.

For more information on the Young Marines, visit www.wildomaryoungmarines.com.