WATERVILLE -- Twin sisters Stasha and Tia Baldwin would rather tackle obstacle courses and rappelling walls or go four-wheeling than spend hours on Facebook.

The Baldwin sisters, seniors at Winslow High School, actually embrace the concept of discipline. That makes them perfect fits, their commander says, to be Dirigo Young Marines.

"We sleep in snowbanks during winter encampments," Tia Baldwin said earlier this week at the Waterville Armory, where the Dirigo Young Marines hold drills. "We do fun stuff at our encampments in Bethel. But in order to do the fun stuff, you have to earn it."

Floyd Smith, a retired Marine gunnery sergeant who was wounded in Vietnam, is the commander of the Dirigo Young Marines. Smith says the unit is composed of 39 members from Augusta through the Skowhegan area.

The national Young Marines group, founded in 1958 by the Marine Corps League, is not affiliated with the Marines. And there is no intent to recruit, Smith said. He volunteers his time.

"We just like helping kids," Smith said. "It's important to show respect at home and to family. And it's about self-esteem.

"These kids don't quit. If they can't do something themselves, they can collectively. They learn to ask for help, and to give help."

The Dirigo (from the state motto "I lead") Young Marines are about God, family, country and community.

Young people ages 7 through 18 wear camouflage-type uniforms. They go through a boot camp, and attend drill weekends every other Saturday. There is no combat.

"We don't take just anybody," Tia Baldwin said, thumping her fingers on the table for emphasis. "You have to have commitment. More than half of them quit."

The Young Marines' activities aren't confined to the Armory, or to the semi-annual encampments at Bog Brook in Bethel.

"They do fundraisers, and help their neighbors," said the twins' mother, Lori Barnard. "They do a lot of community work. It teaches respect. It teaches them responsibility, and compassion."

The Baldwin girls are in their seventh season with the Dirigo Young Marines. It's difficult to tell them apart. At slightly over 5-foot-7, Stasha is a wee bit taller.

Stasha Baldwin has a slightly higher ranking than her sister. By virtue of slightly better test scores, she is a first sergeant, while Tia is a master sergeant.

They are among four girls in the unit.

Stasha Baldwin loves the discipline part.

"Young Marines isn't something parents should bring their kids here to punish them," she said. "They should want to come."

Baldwin smiles easily. But she takes life seriously, and doesn't go for the foolishness common in high school.

Neither she nor her sister suffer any teasing for their affiliation with the straight-laced Young Marines.

"They know better," the sisters said in unison.

Stasha Baldwin added: "A lot of kids in high school are immature. That bugs me. I don't want to be involved with immature kids."

Baldwin plans to attend pharmacy school next year in Albany, N.Y. Her sister wants to take a two-year course in the training of exotic animals in California.

Barnard is confident that her daughters will enter college with a great attitude.

"They're strong," she said. "They have leadership. When they make a commitment, they finish it."

Smith, who has been training the Young Marines since 1998, said he likes helping kids.

"They learn general subjects such as U.S. history, state history, the U.S. Marine Corps, military and Young Marine history," he said. "They participate in parades and organized athletics. They learn to wear and take care of their uniforms, shining their boots.

"We are a family-oriented program within our unit. We help them become good citizens and the respect their elders, our flag and our armed forces."

Smith, a 1963 Waterville High School graduate, looks forward to Nov. 14, when Dirigo Young Marines will conduct an enlistment sign-up, beginning at 11 a.m. He directs any questions regarding the program to 873-5421, 649-2309 or deritaringer7@yahoo.com.

Parents, Smith said, are expected to help.

"If you can give some of your time to help the kids become better citizens," he said, "it's the will that counts."

Larry Grard -- 861-9239

lgrard@centralmaine.com