Tyler Wermann-Jones Named Young Marine of the Year

The Young Marines youth organization has named its Division 6 “Young Marine of the Year” – YM SgtMaj Tyler Wermann-Jones of Oceanside, CA. Wermann-Jones is a member of the Camp Pendleton Young Marines. He is a junior at Julian Charter (homeschool).

“I feel incredibly honored to be chosen for this prestigious award knowing how many other Young Marines in my division could have just as easily been chosen,” Wermann-Jones said. “It makes me feel accomplished to know that all of the hard work and dedication I have put into the Young Marine program is paying off.”

He will represent his division in competing with five other regional Young Marines of the Year for the title of National Young Marine of the Year which will be announced at the Adult Leaders’ Conference for Young Marines on May 9, 2015, in Las Vegas, NV.

Wermann-Jones joined the Young Marines at age nine and is currently in his seventh year in the program.

“I joined the Young Marines, because my mom was a Young Marine when she was a kid,” he said. “She said it was some of the best years of her childhood, and her adult leaders were inspiring to her and like a second family. I wanted to have what she had, and it means even more to me that I am part of the same unit she was in. It feels great that we have this program in common. It’s an extra connection we share.”

He also joined, because he wants to be a Marine pilot after college, and he felt the program would provide a great head start.

“My dad is a Marine,” he said, “and it would be an honor to follow in his footsteps.”

Since joining, Wermann-Jones has earned 40 Young Marines ribbons, many of them multiple times. He was named the Young Marine of the Year twice, and he has completed more than 1,000 hours of community service. He has earned awards for good conduct; academic achievement; community leadership; and for junior, senior and advanced leadership school.

In addition, he is in the planning stages of an April golf tournament for which proceeds will be donated to a local veteran’s organization. This event makes him eligible for the Distinguished Order of Merit Award, one of the Young Marines’ highest honors.

As Division 6 Young Marine of the Year, Wermann-Jones is invited to the annual Reunion of Honor trip to Guam and Iwo Jima. The year 2015 is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima and the 71st for Guam. Annually, American and Japanese veterans come together for remembrances of their fallen brothers and to recall the fierce battles that took place on the two islands during World War II. The Young Marines act as escorts for the veterans during the trip.

“I am very excited to travel to Guam and Iwo Jima, because I feel like it will be a once in a lifetime experience and opportunity,” he said. “Also I feel it will be quite humbling to speak with veterans and be in a place where so many paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

Outside of the Young Marines, Wermann-Jones holds a staff position with the Civil Air Patrol. He also enjoys things related to space, robotics, and aerospace.

He plans to attend college and participate in the ROTC program. After graduation, he would like to be a pilot in the United States Marine Corps.

“I feel the Young Marines is a key asset in my future college and career goals, in addition to the maturity and leadership level that I have gained by being in the program,” he said.

Wermann-Jones is the son of Jeremy and Patricia Jones. He has a 12-year-old brother who is also a Young Marine.

How it works

The Young Marines organization is divided into six divisions across the United States. Each Young Marine goes through a series of selection processes starting at the unit level, going through battalion, regiment and on to the division. Then one Young Marine of the Year is selected from each division. From these six winners, one will be named the “National Young Marine of the Year” which will be announced on May 9, 2015, at the Adult Leaders’ Conference in Las Vegas, NV.

Mike Kessler, national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines, calls each division winner to congratulate her or him. Then he invites each to travel to Guam and Iwo Jima for the annual Reunion of Honor trip.

“The trip serves as an invaluable history lesson unable to be found in any book,” Kessler said. “I get to know all the Young Marines of the Year and see how each interacts with others. This is important information for selecting the National Young Marine of the Year, but I want to underscore their accomplishments in getting to this level. The competition is tough and the decision to make a selection a difficult one. We have some quality citizens in these Young Marines and their communities should be very proud of their achievements.”

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 300 units with 11,000 youth and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information, visit the website at: http://www.YoungMarines.com/.