Lebanon Teen Wins Inspire Award and Top Ten at Leadership School

Youth member of the Young Marines, YM/MSgt Jason Glaskox, 15, of Lebanon, Tennessee, received the Inspire Award from the Young Marines Alumni Association. He was chosen for the Inspire Award by his peers attending the Advanced Leadership School held in August 2020, at Headquarters Young Marines in Dumfries, Virginia.

Glaskox trained for a week to become a more effective leader alongside Young Marines from across the country. After physical and written tests, leadership classes, and close order drill, he was honored again as one of the Top Ten graduates of the Advanced Leadership School.

“The Advanced Leadership School substantially expedited my growth as a leader,” he said. “What I learned about leadership is truly life changing. The academy teaches every aspect of leadership, from what type of leader you are to learning how to mentor others. I am blessed to say I am a different person than I was a few short weeks ago, and I am so thankful for it.”

A national youth organization, the Young Marines is a leadership and service program for boys and girls age eight through high school graduation. The program emphasizes the core values of teamwork, leadership, and discipline. It focuses on American history, physical fitness, public speaking, citizenship, community service, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

“The Advanced Leadership School is the highest level of leadership training offered by the Young Marines,” said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “YM/MSgt Glaskox will take his new leadership skills back to his community and to his unit, the Mid-Cumberland Young Marines.”

He joined the Young Marines in 2012 and currently, he is in his eighth year in the program. Glaskox is a member of the Mid-Cumberland Young Marines under the command of Charles Ware. The unit meets in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He is home schooled / New Life Academy and will graduate in 2023.

“I had my first interaction with the Young Marines when I was seven years old, and immediately I was interested,” Glaskox said. “Once I learned about the main principles of the program, I was hooked. For the first time in my life, I had older kids mentoring me. I felt so welcomed.”

After Glaskox completes high school, he plans to join the Marine Corps. He hopes to serve for 20 or 25 years, and once he retires, he would like to be a commander of a Young Marines unit.

He is the son of Teresa and Ken Glaskox. Mrs. Glaskox is the unit adjutant for the Mid-Cumberland Young Marines.

About the Young Marines

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 235 units with 8,000 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

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