Meet The Staff

We consider it an honor to work with your Young Marine. We want you to know a little about the instructors and unit staff members.

Commanding Officer - Cary Hill

Marine veteran Cary Hill served on active duty in the late 1950's, including an amphibious landing of Marines into Beirut to suppress a rebel uprising.  Marine Hill has been serving this community for more than 30 years.  He is the Commandant of the Gator Detachment (Marine Corps League).  We enjoy his knowledge and experience here within our organization.

Executive Officer - Eric Kidwell

Okay, that's not his real picture. Sgt Kidwell (USMCR) served on active duty from 1982 to 1988. He is a highly motivated person who works very well with the Young Marines. He also serves at the Senior Vice Commandant for the Gator Detachment, Marine Corps League.  

Adjutant - Jamie Hill

Mrs. Hill, wife of the CO, has been with us for several years and has lent her organization and communication skills to the unit. She keeps attendance, documents awards, prepares paperwork, submits reports, responds to inquiries about membership, publishes information to our Young Marines, and much more. Her dedication noteworthy and the unit benefits from her talents.

Paymaster - Rebecca Kidwell

Mrs. Kidwell, wife of the XO is the mother of one of our Young Marines and also Mom to a little guy who will be eligible to join the unit in the year 2015. She serves as our Paymaster, keeping the financial aspects in good order.

Marksmanship Instructor - Richard Lester

Mr. Lester is a past Commandant of our sponsor, the Gator Detachment of the Marine Corps League and Commander of VFW Post 2811.  He has always enjoyed working to make the lives of young people better.  A Vietnam veteran, this Marine is also a certified National Rifle Association instructor and brings his expertise to our air rifle competition program.  He is also the official driver for the Milton Lewis YM Bus.us!

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About those volunteers ...

All of our positions, including the Commanding Officer, are volunteers.

Our staff follows strict guidelines from the national organization on a code of conduct required of staff and Young Marines.

At the local and national level, the safety of our Young Marines is paramount. All that we do is done with constant monitoring of child safety.

Training of our volunteers is carried out on the local, state and naitonal levels.  The Registered Adult Training Sessions are conducted annually in the various regions of America by the national staff with a full day of training.

All volunteers submit applications for membership and detailed background checks are performed at the National level before applications are approved.