Approximately 300 teenagers from California, Arizona New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada graduated from the Devil Pups Youth Leadership Program at the First Marine Division Parade Field aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, on Saturday, July 20, 2024.



Above: 300 Devil Pups and their Marine Corps instructors climb Old Smokey on Thursday, July 18

Some adults may think that America's teens will not be prepared to lead this nation in the future because America's teens have all gone soft. Think again. Since 1954, the Devil Pups program has helped teenagers gain self-confidence and leadership skills through mental and physical challenges, teamwork, discipline, and education. Participants must undergo a selection process which evaluates their health, physical fitness, character, and most importantly, their desire to succeed at the 10-day camp.

Nine Kern County teen boys and girls, aged 14-17, successfully completed the acclaimed program:  Anthony Altamirano, Joaquin Garcia, April Olaya, Austin Petersen, Caitlyn Stitt, Miguel Trejo, Nesse Trevino, Valeria Vargas, and Roy Venegas.

Julio Garcia, Assistant Liaison Representative for Devil Pups in Kern County and a Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy stated, “The biggest thing we look at when selecting participants is a strong desire to complete the program. We don’t want to send someone who would give up easily and want to go home when there are other kids who could’ve filled that spot”.



Above: After making it to the top of Old Smokey, the Devil Pups reassembled in formation on Alpha Shelf for the presentation of colors by the Color Guard Thursday, July 18

“For a lot of these kids, the liaison representative and the Marine Corps Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers are their first introduction to the Marine Corps. It’s a very positive experience for most kids,” said Garcia, who still serves in the Marine Corps Reserve. “We are also grateful for the support from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and the Kern County Board of Supervisors; and our individual and corporate donors as well”.

Some Devil Pups overcame their fears and self-doubt when it came to completing some of the challenges, such as jumping off a 25-foot diving board. Many Devil Pups walked away feeling different and ready to take on life’s challenges.

The Devil Pups Youth Program for America was created as a better way for teens to spend part of their summers in a military environment. U.S. Marines were referred to as "Devil Dogs" in World War I by enemy troops for their battlefield accomplishments and "never give up" spirit. The Devil Pups name is descended from this rich Marine Corps heritage.

The Devil Pups program is behaviorally oriented and tailored to build self-confidence and discipline through a series of mental and physical challenges, and that is putting it lightly. Devil Pups strives to develop its participants, with qualities of confidence, courage, self-control, discipline, and good citizenship. Teens also attend classes on history, first aid, leadership, teamwork, and respect for others, their family, and their country. Camp participants complete days full of tasks like working up from a one-mile run to a 5 ½ mile beach run, 15- and 25-foot tower jumps into a swimming pool, and the legendary, heart-pounding hike up "Old Smokey," a mountain overlooking the Camp Pendleton and the Pacific Ocean.



Above: April Olaya of Bakersfield stands in formation after successfully climbing Old Smokey.

Retired Marine Corps Colonel Trace Deneke, the Devil Pups Encampment Commander, states that graduates realize they can accomplish much more in life than they ever felt possible. He said that commitment and perseverance are two valuable traits the program seeks to instill in those who ultimately graduate from camp, in addition to learning how to overcome one's fear. Col. Deneke states the program's goal remains the same today as it was in 1954: "to develop better citizens, based on our philosophy of 'Growth Through Challenge.'"

Applications and tryouts for next summer's Devil Pups camp will begin in March 2025. For information about Devil Pups or how to apply, visit www.devilpupskern.org, contact us at devilpupsbakersfield@hotmail.com or (661) 376-0271.

All the Devil Pups received a Challenge Coin, presented by their Marine Corps instructors at the culmination of their training, and received words of encouragement and congratulations for their accomplishments on Thursday, July 18.

Graduation happening Wednesday, July 31st, 2024!

We are pleased to announce the Annual Devil Pups Awards Ceremony and Dinner will be held Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the Larry Reider Education Center, 1st-floor conference room, located at 2000 K Street in Bakersfield for the nine Kern County teens who participated in this years’ Devil Pups Youth Leadership Program at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

The purpose is to highlight the accomplishments of these young Kern County men and women who recently graduated from the program and will attend the ceremony; their parents and other family members will likely be in the audience, as well. Several local elected officials are expected to make remarks as well. Undersheriff Larry McCurtain of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled to be the guest speaker. Additionally, the Lance Corporal Mason C. Parnell Award, the Deputy Phillip J. Campas Award, and the Milton Rudnick Integrity Award will be presented to several exceptional teens. The entire ceremony will last approximately 55 minutes. Media is invited to attend.

Contact Kern County Devil Pups Liaison Representative Dick Taylor at 661-332-8394 for additional information.

Photo Credit: Mark Duffel