Sgt. Billion Johnston and 2022 Devil Pup Hannah Rigby at Toys for Tots Fundraiser

2023 Devil Pup Camp

The dates for 2023 Devil Pup Camp at Camp Pendleton, California are July 13-22, with graduation on July 22, 2023 at 12 noon, California time.

More info coming next March for our 2023 season.

Southern Utah Devil Pups in the News

 CLICK HERE TO READ DAVE LOUIS' ARTICLE

Gathering Photos

As I get photos from parents and/or the camp photographer, they will be posted here:

SOUTHERN UTAH DEVIL PUP PHOTOS

As of early September, the camp photographer photos are not yet uploaded and posted on Devil Pup's site.  I'll let you know when they are ready.

1st Sgt. Les Covey, i.e., Cookie Monster

Awards Night at Dixie HS for Southern Utah Devil Pups

 

24 Aug 2022

Looking for

If you would like to train to become a part of the Southern Utah Devil Pup staff in the coordinator position, we are looking for someone with organizational and secretarial skills to organize each season’s summer camp experience for this Southern Utah youth citizenship program.  It would involve observation and training through the 2023 program, moving into Assistant Coordinator in the 2024 season.  The program is extremely rewarding and all volunteer.  It takes approximately five months of the year in a part-time capacity and needs to be someone with great people skills, good decision making skills, good grammar and writing skills, organizational skills, website hosting and event planning capabilities as well as communication skills, working with the training staff, parents and youth.  Please contact Donna Toole at sudevilpups (at) proton (dot) me for more information.

Huge success - Awards Night for 2022 Devil Pups

 

Awards Night for 2022 Devil Pups and Eagles

Dixie High School 24 August 2022

Map for Awards Night

In case you are unfamiliar with the Dixie High School campus, this link will provide a map.  It is across the street from Dixie's AFJROTC brick building.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE MAP

 2022 SUDevilPups Awards Night, 24 August 2022, Dixie High School Commons

Good job!

Thank you to the pups who showed up for the Marine Corps stop on our Thank You Tour.  The Marines were super impressed and that's what we were hoping for.

Remember Awards Night is August 24.  Tell whoever you need to tell this far ahead that Awards Night is too important to miss. Tell your boss or your parents or your best friend - you are at Awards Night at Dixie HS Commons area at 6:30 p.m. in your Devil Pup attire.  It's super good pizza, salad and bread sticks by The Pizza Factory.

Thank You to Marines

Hey, Devil Pups:  Remember tomorrow (Saturday Aug 13) morning 8:45 at the American Legion Building – it’s behind the Senior Center and the address is 245 N 200 W, St. George, UT 84770.  This is our only stop on this year’s “Thank You Tour.”  After the presentation, it would be good for you to thank as many Marines as you can for their support for Devil Pups.  Wear your Devil Pup uniform.  The Marines will put you first on their program and then you can leave before they close the doors for their monthly meeting.  

 

Thank You Tour

Parents and Pups:

You are invited and encouraged to attend the Marine Corps League meeting to be recognized, as well as allowing the League members who so generously donated their own money to the Southern Utah Devil Pups Program to meet the kids they sponsored and the parents who supported their children throughout their incredible commitment. It is through the donations of individuals, the Marine Corps League, and some other organizations that allow our team to pay for the costs associated with this program. 

Please plan on attending the meeting on Saturday, August 13th, which will be held at the American Legion Building, 245 N 200 W, St. George, UT 84770 (Behind the Senior's Center). The meeting starts at 9 am, so come a few minutes early. We will put you on the calendar first so you should be done by 9:30 or so. Pups to wear their Devil Pup uniform, and will be asked to say a few words about their Summer Training and The Camp. 

For the parents who have seen the value of this amazing program and have donated to the cause, I would like to again thank you. For the parents who have not yet had a chance to donate, but would like to, you can bring cash or check (made to Devil Pups Inc.) to this Marine Corps League meeting, or the Awards Ceremony/Pizza Party on August 24th as posted in the Blog. 

Thank you very much!

Sgt. Billion 

Be sure to wear the Devil Pup uniform - like this:

2019 Devil Pups

2018 Devil Pups

And the 2022 Devil Pups are:

Dixie High School:

Lauric Brown

Wyatt Conklin

Kaedon Cox

Cayden Deim

Brooklynn Deim

Tui Fa'apuna

Mickayla Hanks

Xander Hellus

McKinley Mann

Kenneth Nelson

Garrett Pearson

Ariano Reclosado

Melanie Rivera

Yleana Serrata

Jonathon Van Noy

Michelle Vasquez

Marcos Villagran

Pine View High: 

Isaac Alva

Sofearus Barrett

Jordan Boopor

Elijah Colon

Ma’a Faumui

Bridger Jaggi

Hannah Rigby

William Stant

Rebekah Sterett

Save the Date - and LET ME KNOW!

Devil Pups and Eagles:  Now's the time to put August 24th on your calendars for our Awards Night.  6:30 p.m. at Dixie High School in the common area.

So the Pizza Factory knows how many pizzas to build and bread sticks to bake, please send me an e-mail at sudevilpups.com and let me know how many from your family will attend.  Also, let me know if any family members are under the age of 5.

The cost for the meal will be $9 per person.  ($2 for under 5)  Pizza Factory always blesses us with a special "Devil Pup" cost and it includes tip.  Since we will need to make just one payment to Pizza Factory, you will need to pay our cashier as you arrive at Awards Night.  We will be set up to accept cash, as close to your total as you possibly can.  It's a little clunky, but it needs to be done this way.  

School instructors' meals will be comp'd.

I will be nagging you until I know who all, and how many, will be attending Awards Night, so please respond asap!! 

Post Your Photos of Devil Pups

Here's the link for our 2022 Devil Pup photos:

SHUTTERFLY ALBUM DEVIL PUP PHOTOS 

Post your photos so we can all enjoy!

Three Awesome Eagles

 

Josef Bornhoeft, Dominick Alamares and Osmar Vasquez

2022 Southern  Utah Devil Pup Eagles

Save the Date - August 24

SUDP 2022 Awards Night has been set for August 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the common area of Dixie High School.  Pizza Factory is catering.  Dinner will cost $9 per person with children under 5 at $2 each.  Pizza Factory requires one payment from SUDP so we need everyone to bring the right amount of money for your family.  Cash is preferred.  We will have a cashier at the door.  Also included will be a raffle table, and a cookie table by The Blessed Cookie as you leave.  

We will keep the program short since it will be a school night.  We'll start once the Devil Pups have been fed but the rest of you can continue eating as we start.  It will take a little longer this year with more than our usual number of Devil Pups - plus three Eagles.

We hope to see you there for a special time celebrating the accomplishment of this year's awesome bunch of Devil Pups. 

Devil Pups, please come in your Devil Pup uniform.  See photo below.  Eagles, please wear your Eagle uniforms, too.

2015 Awards Night

2022 SUDP Graduates

 Missing one pup who showed up late for photos.

I'll post more photos from Nikki or one of the parents.

Day 6

 

21 Jul 2022 - Atop Ole Smokey - Last Challenge

Day 5

Wednesday, Day 5. One of the newest additions to the schedule of events is the Combat Convoy Simulator. This is the closest the kids get to gaming while they are here. No cell phones. No social media. Just good old fashioned face to face interaction with other human beings. What a concept. 

 

Day 4

 Day 4 involved:

Day 4 was full of physical exertion from starting the day with PT then on to the Obstacle Course and the Pool Jump...always a favorite...and a couple more role model speakers. 

Day 5 is the ultimate challenge - climbing Ole Smokey.

Looking forward to seeing all of you Saturday at Graduation - be sure to meet the shuttle in time to get into Camp Pendleton.  It'll be sunny - around 79-80 degrees.  Maybe we St. Georgians will actually be chilly!!

Photos at Graduation

Parents, graduation is coming up in just a few days.  Please remember that all pups are to meet wherever Sgt. Billion directs immediately after graduation for SUDP photos.  We need some awesome group photos as well as individual family groupings.

I would like to encourage all parents to take photos that they can send to me as I will be working on a coffee table book after graduation.  And we will share them on our Devil Pups Shutterfly 2022 album.

Examples:

What Are Your Kids Doing?

 

SUDP Joined LVDP for a ride to Camp Pendleton

16 Jul 2022

 

Leaving for our Las Vegas Connection

Parent Drivers: All who agreed to drive to Vegas tomorrow as primary or alternate drivers, meet at Washington Rec Center (same as usual) at 0500 a.m. with a full tank of gas (and earplugs since you'll be driving a carload of excited teens). We will then figure out which drivers we need and who will drive with whom. Thank you all for all you do! (Pups when you see this, show your parents.)

All pups wear your departure uniform, bring your boots, and be sure to bring anything else you need to put in your bag. 

Departure Uniform

Alternate Drivers Needed

These are the parents I have who have volunteered to drive to Vegas at 5 a.m. on the 16th. Thank you! I'd like to get one or two more who will volunteer to be alternates in case something comes up, either before then, or worst case, that morning. It is super important that we have drivers ready just in case we need them. I can't emphasize the importance of this carpool. Can I get some more parents who would be willing and ready to go that morning, just in case? Thank you!  Sgt. Billion

Halli Cox, Kaedon's Mom – 4

Billion, 3 plus Nikki

Summer Hanks, 12

Michelle Durham, Kenny Nelson's mom, 3 plus Kenny

Ariano's mom, 4

Eli's Grandma, 4

 

Parent Contact List

The PARENT CONTACT LIST will be published today.  Please check your e-mail this evening.  And be sure to let me know if any changes need to be made. 

Graduation

All family and friends are welcome at Devil Pup graduation - just need to be at the shuttle at Mance Buchanon Park to catch one of the buses into the base.  

Here's a photo from 2008 when we were at the same parade ground.  Remember sunscreen or hats.  It's usually warm and sunny.

Graduation is at 12 noon sharp - remember it is 12 noon California time, not Utah time.

Eagles will be acting as guides and will have a list of what platoon  your pup is in and therefore where it would be best for you to sit.  Look for an eagle in a blue t-shirt and give him/her your pup's name.  While there are usually platoons 1 thru 6-8 (however many they will have this year), they are not always lined up that way because the platoon with highest honors gets to be first in formation.

PLEASE do not forget that we want photos immediately after graduation.  If pups don't meet with Sgt. Billion after graduation, they won't be in photos that we will want to publish.  Pups often want a photo with their platoon leaders.  We usually will take photos of you as a family with your pup - a treasure for sure!!  

Packing Instructions

If you have no insurance, just write "no insurance." 

Leave out one pair of jeans, belt, undies, socks, athletic shoes, sweatshirt, and white T-shirt. They will count for your packing list, but you will wear them as the Departure/Arrival uniform when we meet at 0500 on the 16th at the usual place and depart from there shortly after. 

Boys will be issued swim trunks. All will be issued athletic shorts and shirts. 

Call TODAY to schedule your physical. Get Physical form STAMPED!

Stamped envelopes, and $35 envelope goes in your bag. EVERYTHING must fit in the bag. Give Sgt. Billion $100 in an envelope with your name on it Thursday if you haven't already. 

Thank you!  Sgt. Billion

 

Date of Graduation for SoUtah Devil Pups - July 23

Clarification on graduation date.  Date is July 23rd at noon at Camp Pendleton, California.  The attachment in the SRB package found after Sgt. Billion's letter was included for information about graduation, but the dates were published after the initial camp dates were announced.  Due to changes at Camp Pendleton, the increment dates were changed after most DP printing was complete.

Please be assured our graduation date is July 23, not July 30 as DP HQ originally announced.

Parent Contact List

Parents:  Please take a look at the draft of the Parent Contact List I sent out today (Saturday 7/2) and let me know if your info is correct or incorrect.  I will make all corrections and get the final draft back to you by next Friday, July 8th.  

If you haven't read the letter Billion included in the SRBs, please do so - there are attachments with camp instructions.  Don't miss those instructions.  E-Mail me with questions.

sudevilpups at gmail dot com 

Boots!

 Copying this post:

For all of you who are now ON YOUR WAY to 2022 Devil Pup summer camp, this is for you.  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 - do not 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. 

Awesome News!

Congratulations to all of our awesome 28 Devil Pup applicants who qualified to be sent to camp at Camp Pendleton July 17-23.  We were able to pick up unfilled slots from other regions and are super excited about sending so many eligible applicants.

PARENTS:  Get those hotel reservations made in the Oceanside area!!!

How Do We Donate to Southern Utah Devil Pups

For donors who wish to support our Southern Utah Devil Pup program, here are the steps:

(1)    Make check payable to DEVIL PUPS, INC.

(2)    Send check to

        Donna Toole, 1760 Amethyst Garden Circle, St. George, UT  84790

I will post the donation to our account to make sure this region is credited and forward the check to Devil Pup HQ for recording.  After camp is over and I have photos, I will send a receipt/thank you letter and include a photo of the current pups you have helped to support attain their citizenship and leadership goals.  

Devil Pups is a 501c3 organization; tax identification number is 95-6067317.

We are working on a digital donation solution and will let you know when it is available.

What About "The Cut"

MEMORANDUM

TO: PUP CANDIDATES AND PARENTS

FROM: SGT. BILLION

DATE: June 25, 2023

RE: The Cut Ceremony

We have had great success and improvement so far during our Summer Training Camp, and I am very impressed, happy, and proud that so many kids have stuck it out. Soon it will be time for The Cut Ceremony.  So please support your kids and show up at 7 a.m. on Saturday the 2nd.  We will meet at 0545 and work out until 0700.  The pups will be doing some fun and unusual exercises for those parents who will be staying to watch until 7 a.m.  We have some fun relay races and team workouts planned for your viewing enjoyment.  After the workout, at 7 a.m. we will commence The Ceremony.  At this time, my quota is 7 boys and 5 girls, but it has been hinted to me by Headquarters that my quota may be substantially increased so most, if not all, pups will be considered alternates and will prepare with the others in case they are chosen, even if it's at the last minute, like what happened last year.  

As always, there will be elation and disappointment in the choosing, which myself and my team of assistants will have discussed at length.  This is by far, the hardest part of all of the three months or so we work with your youth.  For those who don't make the cut, they will receive a Certificate of Appreciation, a Marine Corps League Challenge Coin, and an invitation to return next year. For those who make the cut and for the alternates, we will help them start preparing for Camp.  We will focus more on Drill, Guidon movements, and Boots and Jeans training such as hiking and rucksacking.  There will also, of course, be tons of forms and a packing list we will assist them with.

Also, for those who are chosen, $900 of the $1000 cost of camp is covered by some very special donors who love this program.  We do, however, ask the pups who are going to camp to come up with $100 to show good faith and have some "skin in the game."  We suggest the pups earn that from either their jobs, or we have some folks who like to hire the pups for a day and put them to work to help them earn the $100.

For those who don't make the cut, there may be questions as to why not.  Our decision is always based on who we think will thrive at camp while also representing Southern Utah.  We take pride in our history of never having a pup fail or not complete the program.  In addition, we must live up to the reputation we have built as the most prepared, most motivated, most fit, and most disciplined group out of the 60 or so groups that attend the camp.

I would like to say that I would prefer not to answer any questions or address specifically why we did or did not choose a certain individual.  I can tell you that the criteria are PFT Scores, participation, attendance, leadership, discipline, motivation, attitude, determination, and all of the other JJDIDTIEBUCKLE traits. (Ask your pup what that means).  If someone was not chosen, and they really wanted to go, the best advice I can give is try again, harder, next year.

I promised that at the end of Summer Training they would be stronger, faster and leaner.  I think that due to their efforts they have attained that goal.  It is my hope that they continue that path.  All who are not chosen on The Cut day are encouraged to continue with us, as alternates, until training ends when camp starts.  Workouts will resume on Tuesday the 5th.  Chosen pups will depart here at 0500 on the 16th.  Graduation will be at Camp Pendleton on the 23rd.  More info about camp will be supplied soon. Thank you,

Sgt Billion 

Thinking of a Packing List for Camp??

For those of you who are thinking ahead and hoping to go to 2022 Devil Pup summer camp, this is for you.  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. 

SoCalifornia Lodging for Graduation

I usually encourage those parents whose son or daughter might be a good candidate to be chosen for camp, or even could be chosen if we can get extra slots - to make a hotel reservation now.  July/August in SoCal is prime vacation time and it would be good to find accommodations in the Oceanside area, anywhere close to CamPen, now.  You can always cancel them a few days before graduation if things don't work out.   I Googled "hotels close to Camp Pendleton, California" and came up with a few so I hope that works for you.

As soon as we get further information and a map, we'll send it out to you, and once the pups get to camp, they will also send a letter with instructions for getting to graduation on July 23.  

06/23 Special Event

IMPORTANT: I have arranged for General Kathy Thomas, USAF Ret. to speak to all the pups on (THIS) Thursday the 23rd at 0830-0850. Please attend if you can and feel free to bring your parents to listen to her motivational message after we work out from 0700 to 0830.  

Sgt. Billion

GOOD NEWS - More Training!!

Workouts will be starting three days a week starting Tuesday the 31st and every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until camp starts. Same time; same place.

Support Devil Pups thru Amazon Smile

 

Did you know you can support Devil Pups, Inc. when  you shop at Amazon?  

Here is a link to help you sign up:

DONATE TO DEVIL PUPS, INC. WHEN SHOPPING

Memorial Day 2022

 

New Cut Ceremony Date

Pup Candidates and Parents:  As you already know, the camp date has been moved up to the week of 17 July to 23 July - leaving on Saturday the 16th for the trip to California.

Accordingly, the Cut Ceremony date has also been moved up to July 2 instead of July 9.  This date has been changed on the blog.   

Pull Ups

 

Pup Candidates:  Please note that our webpage (the Southern Utah blog) address is at the bottom of every e-mail I send out.  If you have deleted my e-mails and no longer have the address, please go to THE BLOG and bookmark it for quick future use.

If you don't know how to bookmark, or add to favorites, on your cell phone, please go to Google and research "how do I bookmark a website on my phone."  You can change "phone" to your particular phone - IPhone, Android, etc.  Follow the instructions so that in the future just a couple taps and you'll reach the SUDevilPups blog.

Devil Pup Update – NEW CAMP DATES

This announcement of new dates for 2022 Devil Pup summer camp just came down from Devil Pup headquarters.  Please note the new camp dates.

Devil Pups 2022 will consist of a 7-day training, with a half day prior to prepare. Each increment will commence on a Sunday, and graduate on the following Saturday.

1st Increment: 9-16 July 2022

2nd increment: 16-23 July 2022  (This is our increment.)

The following info will be of interest to the families of Southern Utah applicants who are chosen to go to camp this year.

All Pups are requested to arrive between 1500-1800 SATURDAY (July 9 & July 16).  (SU Devil Pups will be bused to Camp Pendleton on July 16.)

Our training plan is to in-process, have dinner, and allow the kids a good night’s rest before we begin training the following day (highlighted by the Leaders Reaction Course, an event that hasn't been approved the past four years).

We will be billeted in the 14-Area, the same area as last year. What specific barracks building has yet to be determined, so please stay tuned.  We will again enjoy graduations at the 11-Area - same as last year.  We will again organize and execute bus shuttles for family and guests to and from graduation. Like last year, the rally point is Mance Buchannon Park.

Unlike last year, and due to reduced staff, we will ask parents of Eagles serving 1st increment, to pick up their Eagle, following 1st increment graduation, at Mance Buchannon Park, via the existing bus shuttles returning parents and guests back to their vehicles following the graduation.

Eagles serving only 2nd increment will report to Mance Buchannon Park between 1000 and 1130 in order to be transported (with luggage) to the graduation site on Saturday 16 July.  These Eagles will travel with parents and guests attending the 1st increment  graduation.

Following the 2nd increment graduation, 2nd increment Eagles (and those serving both increments) will return to their parent/guardian via the bus shuttle.  The same bus shuttle returning family and guests to their vehicles located at Mance Buchannon Park.

FYI - The Eagle application has been updated on the website and reflects the new dates of service, rally points, and direction to Mance Buchannon Park.

 

Paperwork for DP

Those of you who are beginning training tomorrow have already filled out the four pages necessary at this point.  There will be 18 pages of personal information for those who are selected this year to go to Camp Pendleton in July.  It's a camp requirement.  Those 18 pages will be entered in a certain order in a folder (called an SRB - Service Record Book) that is handed in at arrival at camp.

If you've been wondering, be assured that as soon as camp is over, all those papers are shredded.  I also have copies and my copies are shredded, also.  I do keep my distribution e-mail lists in case of a reunion at some point, but all personal info is destroyed right after camp.   

SUDP Training Begins May 7

White t-shirt and shorts; no tight skinny shorts - wear something easy to move in.

Water container - not plastic water bottle.  Work on pull-ups!

Check the blog for info on training site address and parking.  Text Sgt. Billion your reason for not attending - 435-215-6615.

Update on 2022 Applicants

As of today, 29 April, I have 46 Devil Pup candidates with paperwork turned in.  I have only one parent e-mail address I can't read and hope to have that soon.  The first training session is 7 May at Washington Elementary School, 300 N 300 E,  Washington, UT 84780.  South East Grass Field.  Park in the Rec Center Parking lot. 

Sgt. Billion knows about the Ironman event, but if you are working Ironman and can't make that first training session on 7 May, please text him at 435-215-6615.  This should be standard practice if any issues arise during summer training - contact Sgt. Billion.

Check the blog for any questions on dates for the program.  To access the full blog page on your cell phones so you can see the left pane with dates and times of Devil Pup events all summer, find the red Home button at the bottom of your cell phone screen and tap the link UNDER the Home button.  Finger zoom and you can check the program stats on the web page.

soutahdevilpups.blogspot.com