FAQs About the Young Marines Program
For Parents and Prospective Young
Marines
Following
is a brief introduction to the Young Marines Program for parents and
prospective Young Marines. The best way to find out more is to talk to a Young
Marine.
Why does the Young Marines
program exist?
The
Young Marines (YM) program is the drug demand reduction effort of the Marine
Corp League and the United States Marine Corp.
The
official mission of the Young Marines is:
·
To
promote the mental, moral and physical development of its members.
·
To
instill in its members the ideals of honesty, fairness, courage, respect,
dependability, attention to duty, love of God, country, and family.
·
To
stimulate an interest in and respect for, academic achievement and the history
and traditions of the United States of America.
·
To
promote physical fitness through physical activities, including participation
in athletic events and close order drill.
·
To
advocate a drug-free lifestyle.
What is the nature of the
Young Marines Program?
The
Young Marines program is run in a military fashion using similar staff
structure, courtesies, customs, and discipline as the US Marine Corp. The
Marine Corp enlisted rank system is used in the program--Young Marines wear the
same uniform and enlisted rank insignia as members of the US Marines Corp, with
the addition of Young Marine patches.
Young
Marines work toward ribbons for personal achievement similar to badges earned
in other youth programs. They also work towards promotions in rank. Rank
promotions require positive reports from the Young Marine’s teachers and
parents; mastering knowledge and skills outlined in the Young Marine guide
book; and meeting physical fitness requirements.
What do children in the
Young Marines program do?
Children
attend weekly training sessions and many special events and activities. Life
skills such as first aid, CPR, camping and survival skills, swimming,
etiquette, communication skills, and land navigation are a regular part of the
program. Other activities include camping, hiking, boating, orienteering
events, obstacle courses, rappelling, participating in parades and civic
ceremonies, and community service activities. State and national encampments
provide opportunities for special programs such as leadership, scuba diving, aviator training, and historical trips.
The
staff is challenged to maintain an interesting, challenging and productive
training schedule that will retain the interest of the Young Marines while
achieving the objectives of the program.
Is this a boot camp?
No, but
all Young Marines start out as recruits and must complete a 13-session training
course modeled after the US Marine
Corp boot camp. Recruit training includes Marine Corp and U.S. history, close
order drill and marching, team building, military courtesy, and physical
fitness. This rigorous training program instills a sense of pride and personal
accomplishment and improves confidence and self-esteem. At the end of “boot
camp”, recruits graduate at a ceremony where they can wear the YM uniform for
the first time.
Is the
Young Marines program intended to recruit young people for the Marine Corp?
No!
What kind of children is
the program intended for?
The
Young Marines program is open to all young people, male and female, from the
ages 8 through 17. Having as diverse a cross section of young people as
possible helps enhance team building and “people skills” training.
Some
have the impression that with the boot camp and military discipline, the YM
program is targeted for young people with serious behavior or discipline
problems. This is not the case. We expect all of
our members to strive to exemplify the Marine Corp Values of Honor, Courage and
Commitment.
The
program is intended for all young people who are enthusiastic about being a Young
Marine and value what the YM program stands for.
Does the U.S. Marine Corps
run this program?
No. The
YM program is sponsored by the Marine Corp League. The Commanding Officer of
each Young Marine unit must be a former Marine or an active duty Marine. All
staff are volunteers and active duty or retired military personnel, as well as
civilians. The United States Marine Corp, while not overseeing the program,
does provide logistic and staffing support.
How big is the YM Program?
There
are currently over 200 Young Marine units across the United State and
internationally, with membership currently at 15,000+ Young Marines. In recent
years it has become one of the fastest growing youth programs in the country.
How much does it cost to
join?
The CCYM
registration fee varies from unit to unit. The fee includes insurance for one year, a cover, web
belt, YM T-shirt, unit T-shirt, patches and guidebook. Parents will also need
to purchase a set of cammies, boots, red shorts for physical training, and a
gray sweatsuit (for cold weather training).
In addition, there may be monthly dues to cover administrative
costs. There is a small charge for some field trips and encampments
How do I join?
Boot
camp for new recruits is held several times during the year. Check the website
or email one of the staff for the next scheduled boot camp. New enlistees must
have basic physical exam before
training can begin.