Teens Get a Preview of Life in the Military at El Toro Marine Base

Inside a hangar at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, twins Corey and Todd McKeown, 18, took turns learning to strap on parachutes and simulating jumps from a military cargo plane.

In a warehouse at the opposite side of the base, Carrie Axton, 17, of Fountain Valley and Adam Mercado, 16, of Santa Ana learned how military police train dogs to search for narcotics.

These teenagers had signed up to learn about the military and to see if they wanted someday to enlist.

They are members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Valley Forge Squadron, based at El Toro. The nationwide Sea Cadet program started 38 years ago under the auspices of the Navy, and now includes 45 teenagers locally.

The year-round program gives them a glimpse of military life at El Toro and the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station.

“If they decide they want a military career, they get an idea of what the day-to-day life is,” said Master Sgt. Dennis Miller, who oversaw the cadets at a recent training session. “Everyone sees the ‘Top Gun’ movies, the glamorous side. This gives them the chance to see the nuts and bolts of the military. . . . We expose them to a side that most people don’t see.”

The cadets, who can achieve various ranks, go through a two-week boot camp, participate in two-week training missions, living on base, and go on monthly weekend drills where they learn military maneuvers.

“There are a lot of demands to being in the program,” said Julie Hoxsie, 39, of Fountain Valley, a parent volunteer who serves as the squadron’s recruiting officer.

But cadets said the program offers a number of benefits: They learn leadership skills, responsibility and discipline.

“I respect my elders more,” said Casey Hoxsie, 18, who hopes to attend the Coast Guard Academy, and promptly answers with a “Yes, ma’am!” or “Yes, sir!”

The McKeown twins of Huntington Beach, who will be seniors at Marina High School, became cadets four years ago. As boys, both had dreamed of military careers, and now, the cadet program has reinforced that.

“We plan on going to college first, and then join the Marines as officers,” Corey McKeown said. “Now I have a broader view of what’s out there for me and the different choices I can make in the future.”