Teen From Connecticut Named Young Marine Of The Year

The Young Marines, a national youth organization, named its Division 1 Young Marine of the Year – YM SgtMaj Mitchell Barstow. He is a member of the Natchaug River Young Marines under the command of Joseph Couture. The unit meets in Danielson, Connecticut. Barstow is a junior at Plainfield High School.

Barstow is the top Young Marine in Division 1 which includes seven states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine. Over the course of the year, he will travel to other units throughout the division to lead, motivate, and serve as a role model.

“I feel so honored to receive this award,” Barstow said. “I am just beginning to understand how prestigious it is. It makes me feel like I’ve done something that no one else has before.”

Barstow joined the Young Marines at age eight and is in his seventh year in the program. Originally, he joined because his older sister joined. Barstow said joining made him come out of his comfort zone, and he realized that he’s comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Twice, he received a perfect score in the physical fitness test. He also received the Distinguished Order of Merit. In 2018 Barstow received Young Marine of the Year for his unit and battalion. In addition to Division Young Marine of the Year, he also won Regiment Young Marine of the Year.

Outside of the Young Marines, Barstow is a Life Scout working on becoming an Eagle Scout with Troop #1706. He also participates in his school’s marching band as well as outdoor track.

Following high school, he would like to attend a four-year college and earn a degree in Political Science, Sports Management, Business Management, or Journalism.

As Division 1 Young Marine of the Year, Barstow will escort WWII veterans next spring to the annual Reunion of Honor trip to Guam and Iwo Jima.

He is the son of Jessica and Mark Barstow, both of whom are former adult volunteers with the Young Marines. His older sister, Karina Barstow, retired as a YM/SSgt, and his younger sister, Makayla Barstow, is a YM/SSgt.

“The Young Marines has built my character,” Barstow said. “It’s taught me that you don’t have to be afraid to make mistakes or to meet new people. Most important, it’s taught me how to build great, long-lasting relationships. I don’t think I’ve ever found this level of camaraderie and sense of family anywhere else.”

How it works

The Young Marines organization is divided into six divisions across the United States. Each Division Young Marine of the Year must meet vigorous requirements, such as obtaining the rank of YM GySgt, graduating Advanced Leadership School at the Young Marines’ National Leadership Academy, high academic achievement in school, and maintaining high standards of physical fitness.

Barstow will represent his division in competition with five other division Young Marines of the Year for the title of National Young Marine of the Year which will be announced at the Adult Leaders’ Conference in May 2019.

"The Young Marine of the Year division winners are exceptional individuals," said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. "Each shares qualities of leadership, self-confidence and good citizenship, and each lives a healthy drug free lifestyle which is a cornerstone of the Young Marines. It will be quite a challenge to select just one as the National Young Marine of the Year."

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 270 units with 9,000 youth and 2,600 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

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