Devil Pups, Inc. Liaison Representative of the Year

Our own Sgt. Billion was awarded the honor and a plaque as Liaison Representative of the Year 2021 at an after-Awards Night presentation.  Richard Linsday is president of Devil Pups, Inc. and flew in from Southern California to be with us.  Unfortunately a flight delay caused him to miss a connector flight and he did not arrive until 9:00 p.m., after Awards Night was over.  Sgt. Billion and Donna spent time with him at Donna's home where Sgt. Billion received his plaque.  Of course, we all knew Sgt. Billion deserved this award - we're so glad Devil Pups, Inc. thought so, too!

 Sgt. Billion and Maj. Richard Linsday, Devil Pups President

25 August 2021

14 Aug - Saturday with the Marine Corps League

 As previously published: Please report to the Elks Club (630 W 1250 N, St. George, UT 84770) on Saturday the 14th at 0830 in Devil Pups Uniform, with parents, for recognition by, and introduction to, the Marine Corps League which generously provides financial support to the Devil Pups Program and takes a keen interest in the pups' future success. It will take less than one hour.

In past years, this included a breakfast; however, during Covid, the Elks Lodge discontinued food service.  At this meeting there will be pastries/donuts.  Parents and family are welcome.

Devil Pups should arrive in Devil Pup uniform.  The Marines really enjoy seeing Devil Pups and will likely shake hands with you after your presentation.  Please thank them for their support.

Awards Night - August 25

Please join us for 2021 Southern Utah Devil Pups Awards Night - featuring 9 very impressive Devil Pup graduates.  It is a Wednesday night, August 25, and we will make the program short since it's a school night.  We plan to start dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Pizza Factory in St. George, Main and St. George Boulevard.  Please let Donna know how many will be in your party.  The upstairs room at Pizza Factory holds 85 and we'll need to cut off reservations at that point.

All-you-can-eat pizza (in various flavors), bread sticks, salad, sodas and water provided for $10 per person.  Children under 5 will be $2.  Pizza Factory asks us to collect the food money in advance so we can pay them in one check.  Please bring cash for your party, as we have no way to accept credit|debit cards. Please check in and pay ahead of dinner. Awesome 2019 Devil Pup Caryn Krafczyk will be your cashier.

(Please let Donna know if gluten-free is a requirement.)

Casual is the dress.  Devil Pups, please wear your Devil Pup uniform.
Thankful are the staff of Southern Utah Devil Pups for your support!

Here are the 2019 Pups at Awards Night so you'll know what to expect.

Congratulations 2021 Devil Pups

All nine Southern Utah Devil Pups finished the course and received their Devil Pup challenge coins.  Congratulations!

Newest Southern Utah Devil Pups:

Adilyn Adams

Andrew Barnum

Joey Blevins

Josef Bornhoeft

Tommi Chau, Top 10% Award

Ethan Hanks

Rayden Riddle, Spirit Award Winner

Isaac Stover, Perfect PFT Score Award

Osmar Vasquez

Once again, Southern Utah comes home loaded with awards.  Thank you, Sgt. Billion!

DEVIL PUPS NEVER QUIT! 

2021 Southern Utah Devil Pups!  

Marine Corps League Breakfast

To Pups and parents:

Please report to the Elks Club (630 W 1250 N, St. George, UT 84770) on Saturday the 14th at 0830 in Devil Pups Uniform, with parents, for recognition by, and introduction to, the Marine Corps League which generously provides financial support to the Devil Pups Program and takes a keen interest in the pups' future success. It will take less than one hour.  

I will sharply march the Pups in and they will likely each be asked what they liked the most and least about Devil Pups Camp and Training, so prepare some answers.  Some awards will be given.  Everyone is expected to attend this important meeting.  If unable, please advise.

Thank you,  Sgt Billion 

2018 Thank You Tour - Marine Corps League Breakfast

CLICK HERE FOR 2021 DEVIL PUP PHOTOS

A Couple Snapshots from Devil Pup Camp

 

Sunday, 7/18

Ready to head out for 2021 Devil Pup summer camp!!

Checking in

Bag check

Hurry Up - and Wait!

ALL PHOTOS SO FAR

Southern Utah Devil Pups Arrived at Camp

Sgt. Billion reports that the pups have been checked in at Camp Pendleton for a week of Devil Pup camp beginning tomorrow morning.  Exciting times for these teens.  

2010 Devil Pup Camp Bag Check

Graduation Map and Info

CLICK HERE FOR GRADUATION INFORMATION 

Sugar Cookies - a Specialty of Devil Pups!

 

 

If you shop on Amazon, please consider Amazon Smile. When people shop on Amazon they add the word “smile” with a “.” before the website name and it then asks them to choose an organization to support. For every qualifying purchase, a percentage is sent directly to Devil Pups. 

SMILE.AMAZON.COM

Almost Ready for Camp

Pup Candidates and Parents:  I'm sending to you a Contact List for emergency use when traveling to Camp Pendleton.  By now you should all have a copy of the directions for meeting the shuttle to get into the base.  But I will send another copy via e-mail.

Please note that immediately after the graduation ceremony, we require that all Devil Pups meet Sgt. Billion at a designated spot across the parade field from the stands for pictures.  Parents are invited to meet their pups there and participate in photos.  Then you are free to go.

We are also requesting that each pup notify Sgt. Billion when he/she is leaving with parents so we make sure we leave no one behind and that everyone is safely reunited with family members.

I will be sending this message twice, once from gmail and once from my SunRiver address.  If you cannot open the PDF Contact List, please let me know so I can get it to you in a different format.

Donna Toole

2021 Packing List

 Pup Candidates and Parents:

Here is a link to the Devil Pups website showing the packing list.  Since this year has been impacted by Covid restrictions and this 2021 camp is shorter in duration, please note that 7 pair of underwear and sox are all that's required for this year.

CLICK HERE FOR PACKING LIST

Please wear the white T-shirt, jeans (not skinny jeans), a belt and tennis shoes at departure.  I'm attaching photos of a prior group of SoUtah Devil Pups.  One photo shows tennis shoes on one pup, while the second photo is of pups after check-in with sea bags (which each pup gets after a transfer from your bags is done).  Your bags will be locked up for duration of the camp and you will use these sea bags during camp.

Tuesday Practice - 13 July

In addition to the bag check on Tuesday, which you should already have all the details about, we will be making Sugar Cookies.  It will be delicious!

As we discussed this morning during training, you will need to show up in your boots and jeans, and bring all of your PT gear, a trash bag, and a towel.  Also, for those of you who said you had, please bring a 5 gallon bucket(s) that is fairly clean on the inside.  That is all.

Sgt. Billion

Upcoming Dates - Pack for 2021 Devil Pup Camp

We will have the Packing list check on Tuesday, July 13th, 0545.  

CLICK HERE:  PACKING LIST

Bring your bag packed with everything that is going to camp as listed in the packing list.  

Use a masking tape or duct tape strip (something that will be sure to stick) with your name printed in black marker.  Put one strip on each side of your bag so it can be seen easily no matter how stacked in a pile of bags after graduation.

Buy whatever you need before then.  We want to make sure everybody has everything.  Then go home and do not touch your bag.  We will have a final packing list check on Thursday, July 15, 0545, right after the PFT.  We will keep your bags for you and we will bring them to you Sunday morning.  At that time, you should not need to take anything out of your bag or put anything in your bag.

Final PFT July 15th!   Until then, Eat, Sleep, Breath, Dream, Visualize and Believe in a Personal Best PFT Score.  Then commit to crush that score at Camp.

Drill and Guidon Practice on Saturday, July 17th.  Boots, jeans, white T-shirt (NO logo) and plain belt.  Same clothes you will wear in the van on the way to Camp Pendleton the next morning.  (Except for the shirt.  Put on a clean shirt after you shower and put on deodorant before the Sunday morning van ride.)  It is advised to wear a hoodie, if not for an a/c ride to Camp Pendleton, at least for those chilly oceanside mornings at camp.  It's not St. George weather by the ocean.  Some former Devil Pups even used them to sleep in.

Meet for departure to Camp Pendleton, dressed according to instructions, on Sunday, July 18th, 0545.  Washington Elementary, same place as usual. Bring water and snacks.  We will stop for breakfast.

 

Attention 2021 Devil Pup Candidates

Each pup attending camp needs to make $100 toward their camp fee.  1st Sgt Les needs 5 pups to work 2 half days, early mornings, four hours each day, $50 each day.  Monday, Wednesday or Friday.  

Contact Les at 562.477.0556  ASAP

Graduation Information for 2021 Devil Pups

This year is completely different for Devil Pup Graduation due to Camp Pendleton's Covid precautions.  Parents, relatives, friends will need to meet at a location outside of Camp Pendleton to be bused into the 11 Area Parade Grounds for the graduation ceremony.  Please see map link below for more information.

MAP

2021 Southern Utah Devil Pup Winners

Winning Candidates:

Adilyn Adams

Andrew Barnum

Joey Blevins

Josef Bornhoeft

Tommi Chau

Ethan Hanks

Isaac Stover

Osmar Vasquez

Alternate:  Rayden Riddle

 

Send Photos!

Here is the link for the beginning of our 2021 photo album for Southern Utah Devil Pups.  Please upload any photos you already have so far, and keep adding.  I will eventually rearrange them, and after camp is over I will create a photo book that can be ordered from this site.  There is a plus sign at the top of the album to aid in uploading. 

If you prefer, just forward your photos to me, either thru text at 925-216-8741 or to my e-mail address dtoole at sunrivertoday dot com.  (You know how to translate that address.) I'll add them to the site.

Sgt. Billion plans to attend camp as an observer this year and we are hopeful he can send photos so you might see some of your teens in action.  

ADD YOUR 2021 DEVIL PUP PHOTOS HERE

If this site requires a sign-in, just sign up - as far as I know, it's still free and a great place to store photos.

Camp Physical

I have confirmation from Devil Pup headquarters that the camp physical for your pup can be a recent physical, as long as it is less than one year from the start date of camp, which is 19 July 2021. 

You will soon receive a letter with more instructions for camp - but please go ahead and make motel or hotel reservations now as near to Camp Pendleton as you can.

Devil Pup Hiking Boots

If you do not already have hiking boots for Devil Pup camp, now would be a good time to get them and get them broken in.  Here is a photo of a boot that is a good camp boot – you will need protection for ankles with all the activities at camp. Watch for sales at Big 5 - don't buy heavy (combat-type) boots that won't "breathe." These boots will get a lot of wear at camp. Wear them every day for two or three hours to break them in.  

As for the rest of your packing, please see this list on the Devil Pup website.

June 26 Cut Ceremony

We had a great Cut Ceremony this morning, and I'd like to thank and acknowledge all of the parents who showed up to support their young adult and the Devil Pup Program.

I am grateful and impressed with the number of kids who fulfilled their commitment to themselves and stuck it out throughout the training to this point.  It is my hope that they feel they are better for that sacrifice and will consider returning next year as well as the rest of this year.

There will be no training on Saturday, July 3rd, however, I encourage you to attend the 4th of July Parade which will be happening on Saturday, the 3rd of July because apparently nobody does anything around here on a Sunday. The parade will be led by The Marine Corps League Color Guard and I will be playing the drum to keep them all in step.  Come on out and show your support for one of the biggest supporting groups of the Devil Pups Program.  Give us all a shout out by yelling "Devil Pups" as we pass, and you stand, place your hand on your heart and encourage everyone around you to do the same.  This is the biggest parade of the year in all of Washington County.

Link to parade info 

To clarify, training will resume on Tuesday the 29th, then Thursday the 1st, no training on Saturday the 3rd.  Resuming normal schedule on Tuesday the 6th until further notice.

Again, I would like to thank all of the kids for being Amazing, and thank all of the parents for being Amazingly Supportive!

Sgt Billion

The Cut Ceremony for Devil Pup Summer Camp

THE CUT for 2021 Southern Utah Devil Pup Summer Camp at Camp Pendleton, California, will be at 7 a.m. on Saturday the 26th.

We will meet at our normal time of 0545 and work out until 0700.

MEMO FROM SGT. BILLION - PDF VERSION

MEMO FROM SGT BILLION - WORD VERSION

Healthy Living

Lifestyle change memo from Sgt. Billion for all Devil Pup Candidates:

Word Version 

PDF Version

Message from Sgt. Billion

Parents and Pups,

First of all, I am very proud and impressed with the turnout and the commitment I have seen demonstrated by the kids who have shown up for Devil Pups Summer Training.  This is the largest turnout we have had.  It is an honor to be working with such a fine group of youth.

I have been waiting for the official word on the final status and specific changes to the Devil Pups Program held at Camp Pendleton, and I have recently been informed of the following changes.  Although it will not be like it has been in years past, at least we have a reason to continue our Summer Training, and an opportunity to send some youth to this tremendous program.  My understanding is Camp Pendleton has canceled all but two of the eighty programs that use their facilities throughout the year. I am grateful they have made the concessions to allow Devil Pups to be one of the two.

The dates for the camp are Monday, July 19 – Saturday, July 24.

The usual number of youth in past increments has been 300-400. This year, due to Covid that number has been reduced to 50.

My quota at this time has been reduced to 2 male and 1 female. I have been told that number may increase and I have been asked if I would be able to have some (amount to be determined) kids ready to go as alternates. I have responded affirmatively and have advised leadership that we already have a large group of youth who have been consistently attending training. My understanding is some of the other 40 or so areas that typically have had a smaller quota in years past, and have not yet begun training, may opt out and their quota may be given away. I have been trying to convince The Board that because Southern Utah is the most motivated, most prepared, and most fit group of them all, that we should get some of that quota. We'll see.

On Saturday the 22nd, I discussed this new information with the kids who were at training, and explained that I knew there were a number of them that realized that they most likely would not make the cut, even at the original numbers of years past.  I acknowledged their commitment and reiterated that even if they were not chosen, they would finish the summer with an amazing accomplishment, in the best shape of their life, and have my invitation to come out and try again next year.  I also stressed that those who were currently at the top of the PFT scores may not stay there or may not be chosen for other reasons and those who were close to the top, with focus and hard work, could gain a spot within the time left in the Summer Training.

I am enjoying training the kids and I know that they have been getting stronger, faster, tougher and leaner. I hope to see all of them continue to show up throughout the training and work even harder in light of the stiffer competition.

We will have our next training at 0645 on Saturday, May 29th. That will be our last 0645 start time.

After that, as of June 1st, we will start every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 0545.

The Cut Ceremony will be after training on Saturday, June 26 at 8am. Parents are encouraged to attend. Again, those who do not make the cut are welcome to continue to attend the trainings.  As we get closer to that date, I will be reaching out to parents and the kids who are likely to make the cut or likely to be chosen for alternates to confirm that they are ready and willing to go.  1stSgt Les and I will be driving them to Camp Pendleton on Sunday, July 18th, and parents will be required to attend graduation and pick up their kids at Camp Pendleton on Saturday, July 24th.

For those of you who have not filled out and turned in the Hold Harmless Agreement, please send it with your child on Saturday the 29th.
HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

Thank you,
Sgt Billion  
 

Summer Camp Date Change

Please be advised that camp dates have changed.  Camp dates are now 7/19 to 7/24, with graduation on the 24th instead of the 31st as earlier announced.  We are still getting information and changes on this year’s camp because of Covid precautions in California.  Anyone wishing to participate in training for 2021 summer camp must complete the form in the link below and provide it to Sgt. Billion at the next training session.

HOLD HARMLESS FORM

Devil Pups in Dixie High AFJROTC

 

Devil Pup graduates get lots of awards at Dixie High School's 2021 AFJROTC Awards Night.

You've Got SPAM

For 2021 Summer Camp, please check your spam folders.  For whatever reason our e-mails have been going into spam folders.  The IT Department is checking into this, but in case you are not finding e-mail from us, please look in your spam folder.

 

2021 May 8 - First Devil Pup Practice

Who:  All Devil Pup Candidates 

What: 2021 Devil Pup Training

Where:  Washington Elementary School. 300 N 300 E, Washington, UT 84780

 

When:  0700-0900 Saturdays until further notice (that means 0645 sharp) beginning May 8, 2021.

Bring: Water Bottle

Wear white T-shirt, jeans or shorts and tennies. 

PRESS RELEASE

Get information letter and initial application

 CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION AND INITIAL APPLICATION

 

2021 Devil Pup Camp Parent Meetings

There will be two Parent Information Meetings for the 2021 Devil Pup Camp citizenship camp.  A responsible adult for each Devil Pup candidate must attend one of the meetings.  There will be forms to sign.

This year, the meetings will be held at Pine View High School's AFJROTC building.  

Meeting times 7-8pm on Tuesday the 27th and Wednesday the 28th.