Douglas County Young Marines

Staff Information

Young Marine units are community-based programs lead by dedicated adult volunteers. Many of these volunteers are former, retired, active duty, or reserve Marines who believe passionately that the values they learned as Marines had a positive affect on them. It is through these caring adults, military and civilian, that our Young Marines learn the inner values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

Chris Proctor, Commanding Officer

I joined the Marine Corps in 1972, one week after graduating from high school, and served until 1976. I was with 1/4 (1st Battalion/4th Marines), 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa for a year and the remainder of my duty was with WTB (Weapons Training Battalion), Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, California, as a marksmanship instructor.

I started the unit in 2005 because my son was interested, I saw value in the program and felt that the lessons we could pass along to the youth of our community was a worthwhile endeavor. I was right. It has been more beneficial than I ever could have imagined.

Jeff Cooper, Executive Officer

MGySgt. Jeff Cooper (USMC Ret.) enlisted in the Marine Corps in August of 1970.  Upon graduation, he attended Basic Infantry Training at Camp Pendleton and was assigned to Hotel 2/9, 3rd MarDiv and deployed to West-Pac.  Returning to the States, he was attached to Marine Barracks, NWS, Seal Beach, CA.

Upon his first reenlistment in 1973, Sgt. Cooper was transferred to NAS, Memphis, TN for technical training in avionics.  Upon completing his schooling as a radar technician for the A-6 Intruder, his first assignment was with MAG-14, 2nd MAW, MCAS, Cherry Point, NC.  Following another deployment to West-Pac with VMAQ-2, SSgt. Cooper volunteered for Drill Instructor Duty in 1977 and was transferred to MCRD, San Diego, CA. SSgt. Cooper trained five recruit platoons as a Drill Instructor before he was meritoriously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in Oct. 1978.  Subsequently, he was reassigned to the instructor staff at Drill Instructor School where he taught the SOP for Recruit Training.

Returning to MCAS, Cherry Point in May 1979, he deployed with VMA (AW) 533 to West-Pac.

His second tour on the drill field brought him back to MCRD, San Diego in August 1983.  For the next three years he held the positions: Series Chief Drill Instructor, Company First Sergeant and Chief Instructor at Receiving Barracks.  Promoted to Master Sergeant in March 1985, he was the last Marine of that rank to serve as the Chief Instructor at Drill Instructor School.

MSgt. Cooper completed his second tour in October 1986, and was transferred to MAG 24, MCAS, Kaneohe, HI as the Group Avionics Chief. MSgt. Cooper was reassigned to Marine Barracks, Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, CO in 1990 and promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant.  He was transferred to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve in 1991 and was formally added the Marine Corps retired list in 2000.

Nancy Proctor, Adjutant

I am the wife of the commanding officer and have been responsible for all Young Marine records and awards since the unit's inception in 2005. I believe that the Young Marines program is an outstanding youth program and I love to watch the achievements and growth of the Young Marines.

 

Suzy Whittier, Paymaster

I am the proud mom of a Young Marine in the program. Ever since my son joined the Young Marines I have enjoyed watching his achievements and growth. I wanted to be part of this wonderful program and am honored to serve in the position of paymaster. I look forward to watching all the boys and girls continue to grow and achieve things as both Young Marines and as individuals.

Tom Gilchrist, Training Officer

I am a 17 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. My primary MOS was 2512/2519 (Field Wireman/ Chief). In my time in the Marines I was stationed with artillery, infantry, air wing, and base units. I also served a special duty for two years as a drill instructor at Parris Island. My last duty station was at MCAGCC (29 Palms) where I was the Chief Instructor of the Field Wire School as well as serving the billet as the Company GYSGT. I left the Marines in December of 1999 at the rank of SSGT.

I have been for the last five years the Sr. Manager of Infinera’s Technical Documentation and Technical Training team. The training and skills that I learned while in the Marines has led me to a very successful career in the business world.

Chuck Shear, Unit Staff

Chuck Shear is a retired Special Forces Army 1st Sergeant, bringing a lot of knowledge and experience to the unit.

Hope Farnsworth, Unit Staff

I enlisted in the USMC in 1994 and spent several months (9 to be exact) in boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.  This is where my motto “never give up” came into action and I strive to live by this every day. I was a Communications Center Operator (MOS 2542) in Twenty Nine Palms, California, where I was privileged to gain a Top Secret Clearance and know where the Marines were 24/7.  During my enlistment I did a great deal of work with Information Systems and Property Control so when my MOS became fully automated I was then transferred to Supply.  In 2001 my enlistment ended and the real world began.

Currently, I live in Castle Rock, Colorado, with my husband and daughter. I am a full-time student at Regis University as well as employed full-time with a small government agency, Farm Credit Administration.  My hope is to have my BA in Communications with a minor in Psychology as well as my Leadership Certificate by early next Spring. My daughter is in the Young Marines and I can’t say how important it is to have others on your side while raising children. It takes a village, so thank God for the Young Marines.

Chris Swanson, Unit Staff

In 1983 I left for Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego, CA.  After completing ITS (Infantry Training School I was assigned to 1st Battalion 6th Marines 2nd Marine Division Alpha Company 2nd Platoon at Camp Lejuene, NC. In October of 1983 our Battalion was going to play a support role in the Invasion on the Island of Grenada. During my 4 years at Camp Lejuene I was deployed for infantry training in places like Panama, Korea, Okinawa, Diego Garcia and in California for Cold Weather training. I participated in a multi military exercise called Team Spirit in 1986 with the South Korean Army, the Army Rangers and a detachment from the Navy.

My last year I was working with the Base Motor Vehicle department registering cars and handing out id’s to military personnel and their families.  When I was discharged I returned home to Denver and began my life as a civilian.

CJ Cox, Unit Staff

CJ Cox, is a retired USMCR Major.  His bio will be updated soon.

 Allison Cox, Female Support Advisor

Allison Cox, wife of a retired USMC reservist, has been on staff as a Female Staff Advisor with the DCYMs since 2005 when her then, 8 year old son, Kyle joined. Kyle is now 13 and is a corporal in the unit. Allison's 9 year old son, Gabriel, just joined the unit in 2009.

Allison enjoys helping out where she can and especially likes camping overnight with the Recruits on their Field Training Exercise (FTX).  

 

Mary Finders, Assistant Adjutant

Bio coming soon.

 

 

 

 

Deb Rhodus, Female Support Advisor

Bio coming soon.

Additional Staff Member

One additional staff member is in law enforcement. For his protection, his information will not be published, He is a former Marine MP and has been with the unit for approximately 3 years as a staff member. 

Staff Members

DCYM staff members may be contacted by email by clicking on a name below.

Commanding Officer:	Chris Proctor (USMC)
Executive Officer:	Jeff Cooper (USMC Ret.)
Training Officer:	Tom Gilchrist (USMC)
Adjutant:	Nancy Proctor Mary Finders Asst. Adjutant
Paymaster:	Suzy Whittier
FSA(s):	Allison Cox Deb Rhodus
Unit Staff:	Hope Farnsworth (USMC) Chuck Shear (Army Ret.) Chris Swanson (USMC) CJ Cox (USMC Ret.)

 

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