Marines TV

More than 100 high school students from across the nation participated in the 2019 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, July 15-20, 2019. During SLCDA, students were challenged to step outside of their comfort zones and strengthen their confidence and leadership skills while being immersed in Marine Corps culture. The goal of SLCDA is to return students back to their communities more confident, selfless and better equipped to improve the lives of those around them. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Haley Mathers)

Connor Meadows from Milford, Michigan credits the Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy for choosing to attend the Naval Academy over the other service academies. Meadows is a student-athlete that excels both on and off the hockey rink. Meadows had an impact on four of his teammates joining the military as a direct result of his positive mental attitude and mentorship that he took from the SLCDA. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Immanuel M. Johnson)

Melina DeMars of North Branch High School speaks about what motivated her to apply for the Marine Corps Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy. She looks forward to building relationships and using her new skills toward a career as a United States Marine.

Rheygan McQueerir from Bishop McNamara High School to attend this year's Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy in Quantico, Va.

The Summer Leadership Character Development Academy selects students who embody the Marine Corps' spirit and look for opportunities to challenge themselves. Srihari Yamunan, a selectee for the academy this summer, speaks about his desire to pursue a career in the military. This story includes sounbites from Srihari Yamunan, Piscataway, N.J. This story is available in high definition.

Approximately 200 students graduated Marine Corps Recruiting Command's 2018 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA) aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, July 22. The students were accepted into the academy, hand-selected by a board of Marines who look to find attendees with similar character traits as Marines, and spent a week aboard the base alongside dozens of Marines. Specifically, they conducted several physical fitness sessions, toured the National Mall in the District of Columbia, visited national museums and heard from guest speakers. They learned Marine Corps martial arts techniques and experienced Marine Barracks Washington’s Sunset Parade featuring the iconic Silent Drill Platoon and the Commandant’s Own Drum & Bugle Corps. Exposed to the culture of the Marine Corps, attendees participated in several leadership and character development classes that were oriented around Marine Corps leadership and ethics, based on knowledge passed down from one generation of military leaders to the next. They also visited Officer Candidates School, where attendees maneuvered across an obstacle course and learned what it takes to become a Marine officer. Inspired by the Marine Corps’ third promise of developing quality citizens, the program was designed to challenge and develop the nation’s top-performing high school students so they could return to their communities more confident, selfless and better equipped to improve the lives of those around them. “Not everyone who wanted to be here, got the chance,” said Maj. Gen. James Bierman, the commanding general of MCRC. “We had more than 800 applications, and we would have liked to take all of them, but there wasn’t enough capacity for everybody, so we had to make choices … all of you here today stood out among your peers. The reason why we picked all of you comes from the tangible and intangible; it was your potential that attracted us to you. All of you have the chance to go out and do something great in our society.” (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Haley Gawronski)

Brandon Santiago a junior at Saint Raymond High School for Boys and a Bronx New York native, has been selected to attend the Summer Leadership and Character Development Program at Quantico Va. Brandon has aspirations to win the Marine Corps NROTC program and attending the SLCDA program will help him continue to become a leader and mentor at his high school and for his hometown.

The Summer Leadership Character Development Academy selects students who embody the Marine Corps spirit and look for the opportunity to challenge themselves. Kathryn Altman, a selectee for the SLCDA this summer, speaks about how she embodies Marine corps Traits. This story includes soundbites from Kathryn Altman, Randolph, N.J. This story is available in high definition.

Marine Corps Recruiting Command host the 2015 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy in Quantico, Va. SLCDA is a program which teaches high school students the importance and value of leadership as well as teamwork through periods of instruction and hands-on learning.

Marine Corps Recruiting Command hosted the 3rd Annual Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy. Students from across the United States and beyond gathered for a week of leadership talks, team building exercises, and physical fitness.