Virginia Teen Named Division Young Marine of the Year

The Young Marines, a national youth organization, named its Division 2 Young Marine of the Year – YM SgtMaj Macie Ross, 16, of Woodford, Virginia. She is a member of the LCpl Caleb John Powers Young Marines under the command of Kirk Ross. The unit meets in Fredericksburg.

Ross is the top Young Marine in Division 2 which includes five states: Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Over the course of the year, she will travel to other units throughout the division to lead, motivate, and serve as a role model.

“This is an incredible honor,” she said. “I have worked hard throughout my time in the Young Marines, and I am grateful to have this amazing opportunity.”

Ross joined the Young Marines at age eight and is in her eighth year in the program. She joined because her best friend did.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities the Young Marines has given me,” she said. “Some of my favorite parts of the program are the incredible trips, the friends I’ve made, the leadership opportunities, and the appreciation of our veterans. I joined because of local friendships, and I stayed because of friendships with Young Marines all over the country.”

Ross attended Molly Marine Recruit Training, and she won a trip to WWI and WWII sites in France. She was named Director’s Choice for the National Symposium and named Old Dominion Regimental Young Marine of the Year. She attended the 1st Public Affairs Course and was assigned the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Event.

Outside of the Young Marines, Ross is on student council. She is captain of the Disciples Cheer Squad and was named Disciple of the Year. In addition, she received the Character Award in Volleyball.

After high school, she plans to attend college and major in Communication as well as to spend time serving in the military. She wants to pursue a career in Public Affairs or law enforcement.

As Division 2 Young Marine of the Year, Ross will escort WWII veterans this spring to the annual Reunion of Honor trip to Guam and Iwo Jima.

"Macie Ross is an exceptional individual," said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. "In fact, each division winner shares the 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."

Ross is the daughter of Kirk and Stephanie Ross. Kirk is the unit commander and Stephanie is the adjutant. Her sister Brenna is a Young Marine adult volunteer and is involved in the Young Marine Alumni Association. Ross has three brothers: Ian Ross is a Young Marine Sergeant, Malakai is a Young Marine Private First Class, and Liam is an aspiring Young Marine.

“The Young Marines has challenged me, pushed me, and inspired me to be a better version of myself,” Ross said. “It gave me the opportunity to attend the first Annual Public Affairs Correspondents Course, where I learned the basics of Public Affairs. It was there where my future came into focus.”

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.

Ross will represent her 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.

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/.