Temecula Valley Young Marines Operation Creative Minds

 

 
 

Here are the parameters (the CO’s Rules and guidelines) for Operation Creative Minds:

 

A story may not contain any of the following (Unless the story is about overcoming these odds):

 

  • Racists remarks.
  • Religious slander.
  • Foul, Vulgar or inappropriate words or gestures.
  • Discrimination will not be allowed in stories.
  • Sexual innuendos will not be allowed or tolerated.
  • Gender bashing or chauvinism ( Male chauvinism is a term used to describe the belief that males are superior to females, this also goes for Females as well).
  • Any show of hatred.
  • Hate of our armed forces or our country.
  • Hard Corps graphic depictions of war are not allowed (sorry these are kids stories).
  • If any Young Marine laughs at, makes fun of or says that was a stupid story submitted by another Young Marine. You will be suspended from submitting stories for 30 days. Every story submitted is a good story.
  • Plagiarism will not be tolerated. This is also known as stealing another's work and putting your name on it like it was yours. If you are caught doing this you will be banned from submitting any work for 1 year.
  • Self Plagiarism is not allowed. This is when you steal your own work that you have turned in for a grade and then give it to me for submission as a new story.

 

The Story categories:

  • Fiction --these are stories that are made up and did not really happen
  • Realistic Fiction --these stories are written as if they could happen today
  • Historical fiction --these stories could have happened in the past, but they didn't
  • Science fiction --these stories take place in the future, and make you think about what could happen because of scientific developments
  • Fantasy --Fantasy includes events that can't happen in real life
  • Mystery --these stories have a question or crime to be solved
  • Poetry --poetry uses rhythm, and often rhyme, to explore feelings and to make your mind see images
  • Folklore, myths, and legends --these are traditional stories that storytellers told out loud. Now they are written down
  • Humor --these stories just make you laugh
  • Veterans History --this is a story that is based upon the historical facts of a veteran
  • Patriotism -- this is a story that makes you feel proud to be an American
  • Perseverance -- A story real or pretend that shows how a person has persevered and overcome adversity
  • Westerns -- these are stories that revolve around the old western days.
  • Children’s – stories that are written to help young readers learn and enjoy reading and learning
  • Horror or Suspense – You can guess this one, these are books that keep you on the edge of your seat or just scare you.
  • Essays – Will be accepted as long as it takes on the form as a story (i.e., personal narrative (You were there), journal entry of an experience.)

Story Guidelines:

Stories will be published after all of the below requirements have been met:

  • Stories can have no more than (3) pictures ( not embedded in the document) all pictures must meet the above rules.
  • The story must be typed in Microsoft word and it must be more than (3) pages long or longer (not double spaced and no larger than a 14 font).
  • All stories must go through the unit adjutant first.
  • Every story will have final approval of the CO.
  • If your story has been published at school then you must state that fact. If you have a grade for it, include it when you send it in.
  • There is no time limit, and you must spell check your stories before you submit them please.
  • Historical facts must be correct (unless it is historical fiction).
  • Do not submit a mish mash of stuff that makes no sense.

Award guidelines:

The guidelines for the awards are simple. You must participate the whole time to receive the awards. If you are from another unit and you wish to enter your story for one of the prizes your unit CO must send his/her approval with your story. Your unit must have contributed to the tuition assistance program.

  • 1st Place – You will receive the Temecula Valley Young Marines version of the "Pulitzer Prize" (this is not affiliated with the prize that was established by Joseph Pulitzer ). Along with the units "Pulitzer Prize" you will also receive $500 in the form of a 529 College education savings plan (amounts depend on fundraising or sponsorships).
  • 2nd Place will receive a plaque and unit Meritorious Mast.
  • 3rd Place will receive a unit Meritorious Mast.
  • A Communications Ribbon will be given every 6 months (1 per year) for the most stories submitted.

 

Staff, Parents:

  • The unit staff and parents are welcome to submit their own stories. The same rules apply, and there will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place award. However, all Staff and Parents are exempt from the Tuition Assistance program.
  • Siblings or non-Young Marines are exempt from submitting stories, space is limited on the Web site to only Young Marines, Staff and parent's stories.

Voting timelines:

The story timelines are 1 year, at the end of 1 year all votes for the best stories will be calculated against the number of stories that have been submitted. The winners will be selected from those votes. All Young Marines need to support each other by reading a Young Marines entire story and voting on it. Creative Minds is not a popularity contest, it is a writing opportunity.

Submission timelines:

A story can be submitted every month or every week, as many times as you want to write!

 

OK... Now that you have it, let’s get the creative juices flowing and let’s write some stories! This will be a new on going internal Unit Operation.

What is a 529 College Education plan? click here