A 1992 Post Falls High School graduate and former U.S. Army Airborne cook has been named the Young Marines Adult Volunteer of the Year for Division 6.

Jason Jenkins of Post Falls is the Northwest regiment commander and the unit commander for the North Idaho Young Marines, who meet in Post Falls. Out of six divisions in the U.S., Division 6 encompasses Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and California.

Jenkins joined the Young Marines program as an adult volunteer in 2015. His middle and youngest children, Jordan and Kaylee, participated in the program when they were of eligible age. Kaylee now also serves as an adult volunteer.

"What I've really enjoyed about the program is we're teaching today's youth the valuable life skills — teamwork, discipline, teaching them how to life a healthy lifestyle," Jenkins said Friday. "Just watching them become those leaders is truly fascinating to watch the change happen."

Jenkins said he was shocked when he heard he had been selected for the adult volunteer of the year honors.

"I always say I'm not in this program for me. Everything I'm doing is to help make the program better for the kids," he said. "I don't ever think what I'm doing is going above and beyond or anything that would stand out."

Young Marines national executive director and CEO, retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. William P. Davis, said Jenkins' leadership role as a mentor and teacher, as well as his passion and tireless dedication to the Young Marines, is exemplary.

"April is National Volunteer Month and Jason is the perfect adult volunteer to demonstrate this year’s theme: Shining a Light on the People and Causes that Inspire Us to Serve," Davis said.

Jenkins served in the Army for three and a half years and was in the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg, N.C.

"I jumped out of airplanes," he said, adding that he enjoyed the active duty experience.

He joined the military to honor his grandfather, who also served.

"He ended up passing away my sophomore year in high school," Jenkins said. "When it came to be my senior year in high school, I made that decision to join the military to honor the conversations he and I had."

Jenkins' unit has eight Young Marines, who conduct community service, go on camping expeditions, and learn the disciplines of military life. The Young Marines, a nonprofit education and service program for boys and girls, also teaches leadership, citizenship and self-discipline while promoting mental, moral and physical development and healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Young Marines volunteer with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, the Marine Corps League Detachment, and other local veteran and community groups.

“My work with the Young Marines has honestly been extremely rewarding – getting to watch these kids develop into better people who are more prepared for life after the Young Marines makes me feel proud of what we do,” Jenkins said. “We are always getting comments on how well our kids behave, how respectful they are and how hard they work. I just hope that by providing opportunities for these Young Marines they will be proud of the skills they have gained while in our program.”

As the Young Marines Adult Volunteer of the Year for his division, Jenkins will vie with five other division Adult Volunteers of the Year for the top national honor, Young Marines National Adult Volunteer of the Year, which will be announced April 22 at the Young Marines Awards Banquet in Dale City, Va.

"It's always fun to travel with the Young Marine program, seeing and meeting up with your fellow colleagues" and others who were nominated for awards, he said.

"Just to be around the top of the top of the program as far as Young Marines goes is always exciting," Jenkins said.