US Marines, sailors help Palau youth summer program

U.S. Marines and sailors with Task Force Koa Moana 22, I Marine Expeditionary Force, pose for a group photo with the children participating in the Division of Juvenile Justice’s Omesuub Ngosisechakl Emesmechokl Law Enforcement Explorers Program in Ngeremlengui, Republic of Palau, June 20, 2022. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. SAMUEL FLETCHER)

NGEREMLENGUI, Republic of Palau—U.S. Marines and sailors with Task Force Koa Moana 22 recently volunteered to work with the Palau National Police Force in a youth summer program that taught skills aimed to instill basic tenets of discipline and camaraderie.

The vvolunteers also participated in physical training with the youth, demonstrating the importance of health and wellness through physical activity and drill movements.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Francisco Pallanes Aleho, a landing support specialist with Task Force Koa Moana 22, I Marine Expeditionary Force, describes his career in the Marine Corps to the children participating in the Division of Juvenile Justice’s Omesuub Ngosisechakl Emesmechokl Law Enforcement Explorers Program in Ngeremlengui, Republic of Palau, June 20, 2022. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. SAMUEL FLETCHER)

The program, called the Omesuub Ngosisechakl Emesmechokl Law Enforcement Explorers Program, provides a way to keep young adults productive in a safe environment, with participants ranging from ages 6 to 17. It lasted from June 19 to 24.

“It was a great opportunity to immerse in the community and work with the local youth around us,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Samuel Fletcher, a volunteer from Task Force Koa Moana 22. “Our team jumped at the idea to work alongside the local law enforcement and help impact the community we have been with.”  

“Our goal as instructors is to instill discipline, integrity, honesty, and moral standards that they can learn and use in their daily lives,” said cadet Obak J. Mad, an instructor with the 28th Basic Police Academy. “Having Marines volunteer was beneficial because it inspired the youth, and what better way to set the example to the youth than to teach them some of the Marine Corps core values.” 

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Bennett Shelton poses for a group photo with the children participating in the Division of Juvenile Justice’s Omesuub Ngosisechakl Emesmechokl Law Enforcement Explorers Program in Ngeremlengui, Republic of Palau, June 22, 2022. (U.S. MARINE CORPS/CPL. SAMUEL FLETCHER)

The term “Omesuub Ngosisechakl Emesmechokl” translates to “learning, teaching, instruction, and to put things in order.” The mission of the O.N.E. LEEP program is “to direct oneself toward a life free of crime through teachings and living by standards that create a safe and stable livelihood and community.”

The O.N.E. LEEP program uses role models who volunteer to help teach the participants, run the camp activities, and demonstrate behavior worth modeling. Throughout the week, the participants learned about Palauan traditions, leadership skills, and productive ways to contribute to their communities. 

Marines and sailors from Task Force Koa Moana 22 are in the Republic of Palau from June to August 2022. Named “Koa Moana” after a Hawaiian/Polynesian phrase meaning “ocean warrior,” the task force is designed to strengthen and reinforce relationships between the U.S. and partner nations in the Indo-Pacific region and enhance interoperability with local security establishments in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command strategic and operational objectives. (Saipan Tribune/PR)