Chingiz Bahadur of Fairfax, Virginia, has been named Division 1 Young Marine of the Year. He will compete with Young Marines from five other divisions for the title of National Young Marine of the Year to be awarded in April.
The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has announced Chingiz Bahadur, 16, of Fairfax, Virginia as Division 1 Young Marine of the Year. He has been a part of the Young Marines for six years and is currently a member of the Potomac River Young Marines located in Washington, D.C. A junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Bahadur will represent Division 1 in competition with five other division winners for the title of National Young Marine of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by the Young Marines organization nationally.
Being named the top Young Marine in Division 1, Young Marine Sergeant Major Bahadur will travel to other units throughout the division to lead, motivate, and serve as a role model for other Young Marines in the program over the course of a year. Division 1 consists of 40 units in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
Bahadur will now compete for National Young Marine of the Year. The Young Marines organization is divided into six divisions across the United States. Each Division Young Marine of the Year must meet vigorous requirements such as graduating from Advanced Leadership School at the Young Marines’ National Leadership Academy, maintaining high academic achievement in school, and maintaining high standards of physical fitness. The National Young Marine of the Year will be chosen at the 2025 Adult Leaders Conference which will be held in Dallas, Texas, in April.
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation.
“Chingiz is a proven leader and an exemplary Young Marine,” said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “He is an outstanding example and role model for his fellow Young Marines. His academic, unit and community accomplishments are outstanding. Like each of our six division winners, Chingiz shows strong leadership qualities. His tireless dedication to the program, mentoring others and aligning his personal mission with that of the Young Marines to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle makes him an ideal candidate to earn the National Young Marine of the Year title.”
Honors Chingiz received at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology include:
*Competed in varsity wrestling and football for all three years
*Symphonic Band award for two years
*National Honor Society Award for extensive community service
Future plans: Young Marine/SgtMaj Bahadur is working toward an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and a career as a Navy Seal. Speaking four languages fluently, he feels this will be an advantage to a U.S. Navy career.
Among many honors Bahadur has earned while a member of the Young Marines:
**Meritorious Service at Division level
*Academy Achievement with Golden Lamp
*National Leadership Academy - Perfect three-time physical fitness score
*Distinguished Unit Citations
Asked about the strongest aspects of the Young Marines program, Bahadur describes how the experience has given him structure and guidance when he needed it most.
“The Young Marines transformed my life and gave me a sense of purpose,” said Bahadur. “The program has taught me leadership skills, self-discipline, and the importance of giving back. I learned all this from role models in the program and am now honored to serve in that role for younger members.”
His favorite part of the national program has been the opportunity to travel to many events throughout the nation, learn new things, meet interesting people, and build strong bonds.
“Making an impact on diverse groups of youth has given me great joy and personal satisfaction,” Bahadur said.
For more information, visit the website at https://www.YoungMarines.org.