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Who are the Young Marines?
The Young Marines is a youth education and service program
for boys and girls, ages 8 through high school. The only requirement
for membership is that the youth must be in good standing at
school. The program educates and inspires the youth within our
communities by promoting a healthy and drug-free lifestyle through
educational and adventurous activities.
As Young Marines we believe in:
- Community Service
- Physical Fitness
- Academic Achievement
- Pride in Appearance
- Respecting our Parents, Teachers, Ourselves and Others
- Our Veterans
- Our Country
- Our God
Membership
The Young Marines is open to all youth ages 8 through completion
of high school. The only membership requirement is that the youth
must be in good standing at school. Since the Young Marines’
humble beginnings, in 1958, with one unit and a handful of boys,
the organization has grown to over 300 units with 12,000 youth
and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia,
and, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.
Our Volunteers
Young Marine units are community-based programs lead by dedicated
adult volunteers. Many of these volunteers are former, retired,
active duty, or reserve Marines who believe passionately that
the values they learned as Marines had a positive affect on them.
It is through these caring adults that Young Marines learn the
inner values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Adult volunteers
are individually screened by the National Headquarters based
on background information and recommendations provided with each
person's registration.
Training
Upon joining the Douglas County Young Marine unit, the youth
undergo a 60-hour orientation program which is conducted every
Saturday from 0900 to 1530 (9:00 am until 3:30 pm) for 9 weeks.
This orientation program is called "Recruit Training".
The youth learn general subjects such as history, customs and
courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness, and military
rank structure. Recruit training culminates with a two day field
training exercise (FTX) where the recruits put into practice
the skills they have learned. After graduating from Young Marine
recruit training, the youth have the opportunity to learn more
new skills, earn rank, wear the Young Marine uniform and work
toward ribbon awards. Young Marines earn ribbons for achievement
in areas such as leadership, community service, swimming, academic
excellence, first aid and drug resistance education.
National Programs
During the summer months, Young Marines have the opportunity
to attend the Young Marines National Summer Programs of: Adventures,
Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES). Schools consist
of leadership courses. Adventures, have a historical emphasis
and are designed with the younger child in mind. In contrast,
older Young Marines can participate in Challenges. Challenges
consist of training in areas such as survival skills, wilderness
training, and water-based activities. Young Marine Encampments
provide the opportunity for Young Marines of all ages to gather
together and train as a large unit of up to 700 youth at a time.
Over 3,000 Young Marines participate in the SPACES programs each
year.
Motto
Strengthening the lives of America's Youth.
Young Marine Obligation
From this day forward, I sincerely promise, I will set an
example for all other youth to follow and I shall never do anything
that would bring disgrace or dishonor upon God, my Country and
its flag, my parents, myself or the Young Marines. These I will
honor and respect in a manner that will reflect credit upon them
and myself. Semper Fidelis.
Young Marine Creed
1. Obey my parents and all others in charge of me whether
young or old.
2. Keep myself neat at all times without other people telling
me to.
3. Keep myself clean in mind by attending the church of my
faith.
4. Keep my mind alert to learn in school, at home or at play.
5. Remember having self-discipline will enable me to control
my body and mind in case of an emergency.
To view the Young Marines National web site click here.
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