Mitchell Barstow was a little intimidated the first time he walked into a Natchaug River Young Marines meeting as an 8-year-old.

“It seemed a little bit scary at first. You saw all the camo uniforms and you say, ‘Oh, gosh.’ But after it was finished, it was the neatest thing. The door of opportunity really opened.”

Eight years later, Barstow, now a junior at Plainfield High School, has been named Young Marine of the Year for the national organization’s District 1, which includes New England, Pennsylvania, and New York. He was one of only five eligible Young Marines from the district who were invited to submit applications and be interviewed for the honor.

Three of the five applied, Barstow said.

“I personally knew both of [the others]. We all deserved the title,” he said.

The standards for applicants are high: they must maintain good grades and physical fitness, participate in community service, and have graduated from the Young Marines’ advanced leadership school.

Barstow submitted a resume, letters of recommendation, and an essay - and was interviewed by a six-member selection board.

“It’s probably one of the worst job interviews you would go for,” said Joseph Couture, commander of the Natchaug River Young Marines. “Not many 16- or 17-year-olds can say that. It’s pretty amazing what they expect of Young Marines.” Read more in the Hartford Courant >>

By Janice Steinhagen