Episode 1 - Day one of the Academy

For six months, CBS News has followed a group of high school dropouts who received a second chance through a boot camp run by the National Guard.
Michael Scott, the First Sergeant of a National Guard boot camp for troubled teens, is in charge of the 28 sergeants who've made it their life's mission to turn at-risk students' lives around.
Troubled teens who used to see F’s and D’s on their report cards are now proudly boasting A’s and B’s.
Second Chances are what the Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy program is all about. Sponsored by the California National Guard and the State of California, the Youth Challenge facility has graduated more than 2,000 teenagers since 1998 and more than 1,700 have earned their GED or a high school diploma after attending this 22-week residential program. The National HS graduation rate is 78% while it is 72.5% in California. If you know of teenager that could use a second chance to turn their life around - please tell them about this program.

[@leannarozo5790]

Sgt edwards was awesome man I miss that guy he taught my class so much thanks sgt all the sgts we’re great love you sunburst 🙏💖✨ I will forever be grateful for being there

[@socaladvertising9515]

Such a difficult day for all candidates! My son is in class 21. The staff know what they're doing. Prayers for all

[@issaacxxx6202]

This looks way harder than what i went through. Mad respect.

[@kbh1]

my story isn't as sad or much of worth as some of these kids, I hope I'll be able to get through this if I get into it

[@lisalozano1408]

Best decision my son made!!!! Class44 rough riders!! 💪🏽❤️😊

[@zackonz9216]

yeah my meeting is on June 1st. And about a week later I find out if I am approved to go. then I'll go on July 15th. and good luck other guy

[@cj51458]

Did ya go?

[@drosticky2160]

i was in class #2 back in 2008 this is a great program, kids listen to your parents and get in this program you will never regret going. not one day spent there did I wish I was not there , you'll meet fuck ups just like yourself and band together to get your diploma or GED . the staff where cool as ice . great opportunity is ahead of you don't hesitate get your ass in line and go...

[@KarenCantrellglobcalambassador]

I am so amazed ! This is wonderful !

[@benfranklinpoop7]

that was the best thing i did and the people that want you to go love you and care about you and want the best for you thata why my grandmother sent me there ans i went to the program in virginia beach and i got my GED at 16 and i graduated agust 26th 2017 and ill never forget that date lol class 47 1st platoon worriors lead the way

[@DavidHPUMA]

Lincoln’s Challenge Academy of Illinois in 2010 let Us make phone calls for 7 minutes on Laundry day, Saturday, and write and receive letters 6 days a week, or 5, I believe and write back as well! Other then that, Our interactions with central Illinois was doing community service, handing cups of water to marathon runners, shoveling mulch for a newly built playground, a variety of other things as well as Our march in Chicago during the Italian pride parade of 2010!

[@zackonz9216]

let's go in going to the Youth Challenge Program in Mississippi

[@zackonz9216]

Lol. May bad I'm*

[@sukoHAHA]

Is this where I’m actually going bro..

[@SpaceGhostFan]

Props to you from Grizzly!

[@wholesalergal7854]

Girls got they periods o man

[@codyburtch593]

As someone who grew up in a very strict home to where others said it was military strict punishment was strict to grounded for months hard labor to where I have scars to . Not only was I taught value of hard work but of respect discipline commitment and courage but of loyalty and honesty also been asked on the street if I'm military cuz how I carry myself walk and act

[@justinfilipovic8939]

Sounds like your parents were abusive

[@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me]

This is on a thin line between abuse and structure/discipline. I’m sorry about your scars and I hope you are able to make yourself happy in life.

[@JustinSaysRadio]

This sounds like a copy-and-paste answer that someone in denial of abuse that they recieved would say.

[@zptro6316]

you sound traumatized

[@mortis3732]

I almost had to go to this place back in 2016. Luckily since I have a mental disability I needed to go through an extra process. Never had to go.

[@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me]

I hope you are doing well. Praying to God can help you out of anything 🥰

[@susanooten2824]

My granddaughter needs this in the worst way. But she will never volunteer to go here.

[@robert7838]

Wasn't worth it. I went here a few years back. Dont come at me saying I was a bad student and ruined it for everyone else, I graduated at the top of my platoon.

[@kentvazquez908]

why wasn’t it worth it, i go in 2 days and i can’t back out cause of my probabtion

[@NgJackal1990]

Ah c'mon parents, it's just academy. It's not like they're going to war for crying out loud!

[@johnhogle5977]

i loved it it really helped me

[@shadxd3213]

Wow these kids -_- I’m 11 and I joined to lose weight AND 4 AM DANM I thought I was the one on boot camp and my class woke up early

[@seanshamblin9613]

SHADXD 321 bull the minimum age to get in is 15

[@thatkidjordan7875]

Sean Shamblin 😂😂😂

[@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me]

Good job sweetheart. Wanting to better yourself is the first step. Jesus loves you. Talk to Him.

[@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me]

@@seanshamblin9613 probably went to another camp

[@noela9046]

I needed this at there age but military life Dosent cure addiction or tramaua. I was on anti depresents by 14

[@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me]

God does. Reach out to Him. He wanted me to tell you this.

[@johnhogle5977]

i went i was class 2019-1 my name is cadet private hogle

[@jobabaso1266]

How'd I join that school

[@graciedudek5113]

interesting

[@jonathanacosta1538]

Nice 👍

[@shiftdaddy4371]

What happen if the little youngster just sock shit out of the military sergeant because he got yelled in his face

[@hollow3922]

they dont do shit but yell bruh if someone socked the shit out of one of them that would be a waste of time lmao. Gotta work out for urself, not because of authority. Them yelling about authority would be the most annoying shit ever

[@luismarquez1650]

You go to juvi for assault wdym 😅

[@michaelhowe8674]

im going to the washington youth academy

[@calebnunley8869]

Michael Howe yea how did that go bro? XD

[@calebnunley8869]

Michael Howe yes. It's Nunley.

[@bobiphett4633]

Try Grizzly Youth Academy

[@robert7838]

Same shit

[@williamdiemert2116]

That what Nebraska need.

[@Nik-L-M]

This looks much worse than what it was. I want graduated last June.

[@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me]

Do you have to be willing to go? I’m looking for a way to help my son who is hanging out with the wrong people💔

[@susanooten2824]

@@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me Same as my granddaughter.

[@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me]

@@susanooten2824 I feel your pain. I contacted both sunburst and grizzly academy and they have to be willing to go. 😢 I keep bringing it up to him though, telling him he better pick where he wants to go or I’m going to pick a place he doesn’t want to go. Hope he decides & puts his energy into it💕 I wish the best for your granddaughter too. Maybe try that approach. I don’t know, it may work. I’ll pray for a breakthrough in you family. God bless you💕🙏🏼

[@DavidHPUMA]

Lincoln’s Challenge Academy of Illinois segregated the Men from The Women, well my class of 35-10, I know team 1 The Bomb Squad was all men and men staffed!

[@eunicajanecabanilla401]

I did mine in Hawaii

[@jadabarends9166]

can they join the army after

[@coltoncrockett4444]

Jada Barends yes

[@joannavelarde471]

Colton Crockett I have two friends r there right now

[@mihailosvabic902]

Was reden die ich verstehe kein Wort

[@chrome7029]

m9a XD

[@hollow3922]

Stupid narrative bruh lmao