Sheriff’s Activities League Partners with U.S. Marine Corps to Inspire San Mateo County Youth

sanmateocountysal
Sep 20, 2025
5 min read

September 20, 2025 – Redwood City, CA — Today, Sheriff Christina Corpus and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activities League (SAL) partnered with the United States Marine Corps to host a mentorship program designed to inspire and guide youth across San Mateo County.

The program brings together Marine Corps Officer Selection Officers (OSOs) — the Marine Corps recruiters responsible for identifying and developing future officers — with their recent graduates of Officer Candidate School (OCS) and their soon-to-ship candidates. Many of these young men and women are college students preparing to graduate and commission as Marine Corps Officers, representing universities such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, San Jose State, and the California Maritime Academy.

For the past 15 years, this mentorship model has been hosted by the military nonprofit Wine Country Marines, led by Marine Corps veteran James Brown. Mr. Brown, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Sheriff’s Activities League, saw the need to bring this program to San Mateo County.

“At a recent board meeting, we discussed the importance of widening the horizons for SAL youth,” Mr. Brown explained. “With the board’s unanimous support, I offered to bring this program from Wine Country Marines to San Mateo County. Sheriff Corpus immediately took the lead in making it happen.”

The Board of Directors for the Sherriff's Activities League were represented by Chairman James Brown and Acting Executive Director Mason Lok.

Distinguished Guest Speakers

The event featured three keynote speakers, each bringing powerful lessons of leadership, resilience, and service:

Colonel Dean Winslow — A former Air Force flight surgeon with 35 years of military service, including oversight of field hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. Winslow now serves as a physician at Stanford Hospital and spoke about loyalty and faithfulness to one’s team.
Sergeant Major Kimberly Barton — The senior enlisted leader for Marine Corps Recruiting Station San Francisco, marking 18 years in the Marine Corps this month. SgtMaj Barton shared her passion for family, her immigrant roots, and the drive to honor her parents’ sacrifices by never giving up.
Sheriff Christina Corpus — With nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Sheriff Corpus spoke on compassionate leadership and standing strong in the face of adversity. She was baptized by fire, by managing a mass shooting crisis only weeks after taking office, she has always emphasized her long-standing commitment to hiring veterans.

The program also featured personal remarks from Captain Rivas (OSO San Jose) and Lieutenant Gee (OSO Berkeley). Capt. Rivas shared his own journey of overcoming childhood challenges as an undocumented immigrant before achieving his dream of becoming a Marine. Lt. Gee encouraged the youth to stay motivated through life’s toughest moments. Sergeant White, the San Mateo enlisted recruiter, also lent his support, and has pledged to continue the relationship with the SAL youth and program.

Sharing Stories, Building Bonds

A central theme throughout the day was the fear many youth expressed about life after high school and college — the feeling of being “alone” without support.

Mr. Brown reflected on his own experience enlisting at age 17:

“When I boarded the bus to boot camp, I didn’t know a soul. But I quickly learned that as a Marine, you’re never alone. From the yellow footprints at boot camp to every duty station after, the Marine Corps is built on bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood that last a lifetime.”

Following the guest speakers, participants enjoyed a catered taco lunch where Marines, candidates, and SAL youth shared stories and advice in a more relaxed setting. After lunch, OCS graduates preparing to commission formed a panel to answer questions about college, leadership, and preparing for Officer Candidate School.

The questions from SAL youth centered on how to adjust to life away from family, how to succeed in college, and what to expect from military service. The Marine candidates responded candidly, offering practical guidance on time management, mental toughness, and staying focused on long-term goals.

Looking Ahead

The event closed with a spirit of camaraderie and hope. SAL youth left with not only advice but also role models — young men and women close to their age who are taking big steps toward service, leadership, and responsibility.

“This program is about connection,” said Sheriff Corpus. “Connection between generations, between different life experiences, and between community and country. We want every young person in San Mateo County to know they are never alone — there is a network of mentors, leaders, and supporters ready to guide them forward.”

As part of the mentorship day, the Marines also gave the youth a unique, hands-on history lesson. They brought out the iconic Mameluke sword, the ceremonial weapon carried by Marine Corps officers for more than two centuries. The tradition dates back to 1805, when Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon, born in 1766, led a detachment of just seven Marines and about 500 mercenaries across hundreds of miles of unforgiving desert terrain toward Derna, Tripoli. Facing near-daily mutinies and impossible odds, O’Bannon and his Marines accomplished what many thought could not be done — a hallmark of the Marine Corps spirit that endures to this day. In recognition of his victory, the local ruler presented O’Bannon with a Mameluke sword, which became a lasting symbol of Marine Corps leadership and resilience.

The youth also learned that this campaign marked the first time in American history that the U.S. flag was raised in victory on foreign soil — a milestone that still resonates with Marines today.

From there, the Marines introduced the story of the challenge coin tradition. During World War I, a wealthy young American volunteered as a squadron pilot and had gold coins struck with his unit’s insignia to present to his men. Shot down over France and captured by local forces, he was mistaken for a spy. The French resistance had never seen an American before, and with no common language, they prepared to execute him. During a search of his belongings, however, a French officer discovered the coin and recognized the emblem from a newspaper article. That token saved his life — and sparked a tradition. Soon, other units began creating their own coins as symbols of identity, loyalty, and belonging. The practice continues today, uniting service members across generations and branches.

Sharing the sword and the coins not only brought history to life but also underscored the enduring values of courage, honor, and connection — lessons the Marines impressed upon the SAL youth as guiding principles for their own futures. Just as these traditions have bound generations of service members together, SAL seeks to give youth in San Mateo County the same sense of belonging, purpose, and resilience to carry with them for life.

Sheriff Corpus and the SAL Team are looking forward to working with the Marine Corps again on December 19th with our annual Shop with a Hero program, where Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardians mentor and shop for the holidays with at risk and underserved youth from throughout the county.

Learn More About Becoming a Marine?

If you or someone you know is inspired by today’s mentorship event and wants to learn more about opportunities in the United States Marine Corps, here are some local contacts:

Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) San Mateo

📍 2850 S El Camino Real, Suite B, San Mateo, CA 94403📞 650-753-2561

Officer Selection Station (OSS) San Jose

📍 210 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112📞 408-791-0956

Officer Selection Station (OSS) Berkeley

📍 64 Shattuck Sq, Suite F, Berkeley, CA 94704📞 510-295-0136

Recruiting Station (RS) San Francisco – Headquarters (Moffett Field)

📍 546 Vernon Ave, Suite 210, Mountain View, CA 94043📞 650-603-8942

👉 You can also explore official resources here: