A lifetime of service, in and out of the military

YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz.-- In the United States military, all who serve give some.

But some give more than others, and continue doing so long after they have taken off the uniform.

Some do it by distinguishing themselves as civilian employees for the military: In Navy veteran John Bacon's case, it is overseeing the maintenance of some of the ground combat arsenal's most depended-upon combat vehicles as they undergo punishing testing at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG). His performance in this capacity recently earned him recognition as one of YPG's civilians of the quarter.

"We were lucky to pick him up," said Phil Rojas, maintenance group supervisor. "He's just as focused at work as he is in his outside activities. He's very dependable and job-first."

Some do it by participating in groups like the Patriot Guard Riders, motorcycle enthusiasts who volunteer in a variety of ways to assist veterans and the families: Bacon is a proud member of the local chapter.

But a select few give back to their community by dedicating countless hours to the youth of their community. Bacon devotes at least 30 hours per week as operations officer of Yuma's chapter of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, a program for youth between the ages of 11 and 18 interested in a career in any of the nation's sea-faring branches of the military. Nonetheless, Bacon feels youth who don't intend to serve once they become adults can still benefit from the program.

"Even if you don't want to join the military, this is a place to learn structure, discipline, bearing, and physical fitness," he explained. "The cadets use their minds in the STEM program and cyber team."

The depth of Bacon's commitment is exemplified by his taking two weeks off from work during the holiday season to serve as a recruit division commander--the Navy equivalent of a drill instructor-- at a Sea Cadet boot camp in Phoenix's Papago Park. The training the teens experienced was rigorous, and for good reason: if they intend to join the services once they reach the age of majority and have completed boot camp and all other requirements of the program, they can enter the Navy or Coast Guard as a Seaman, and the Marine Corps as a private first class.

"It has a lot of advantages," said Bacon.

Having only been in existence for seven months, the Yuma cadets had a rocky start against other statewide units at the boot camp. In the first week, for example, eight recruits failed a physical training test, and none of the cadets did better than an eight minute mile. This set-back only motivated Bacon more, who led his cadets in extra physical training.

"We don't cuss at or physically touch the kids. I told them, 'I'm not here to break you, I'm here to push you and make you succeed.'"

In large part, Bacon did so by subjecting himself to everything he asked of the recruits, and then some. Bacon's duty day began and ended at least two hours before the cadets'. Twice he was officer of the deck and had to pull all-nighters on top of his other duties. He came down with a cold during his time there, but had to persevere.

"You always have to be squared away, top notch: your hair needs to be cut a little shorter, your boots have to shine like glass. You can't show the cadets you are tired or sick: you have to keep going and going."

By the end of the two weeks, Bacon's cadets were the camp's honor squad: every single cadet graduated, two with honors.

"It is just overwhelming to see them getting excited and doing well, whether they are going into the military or not. They're a good group of kids that do a lot of service in the community on their own."

Back in Yuma, the cadets continue their monthly weekend drills at Castle Dome Middle School, and conduct a variety of community service projects: sometimes front and center in a parade, sometimes behind the scenes helping out at the Crossroads Mission and other local charities.

"This unit has been extremely successful. We are a year ahead of where they projected us to be now. They didn't project us to have any cadets ready to go to boot camp until this July."

Bacon expects to participate in the group for the foreseeable future, and finds the experience is its own reward.

"I love working with children. I think troubled kids need structure and opportunity. The Navy gave me the structure and tools I needed, and my family gave me the drive to succeed."