Our children are the future—future world leaders, captains of industry, teachers, scientists, change makers. The Young Marines mission is to empower them, helping them maximize their potential to become the citizen-leaders that our nation needs. Here, they hone and uphold values such as discipline, self-confidence, the desire to live a healthy life, and the motivation to excel academically. Values that stand as the cornerstone of our success as one of the leading nations in the world.
Our goal is to empower future leaders—but perhaps even more importantly, to create conscientious, empathetic, and productive members of society.
Ours is a mission of growth. Since our humble beginnings in 1959, we’ve expanded to more than 280 units with more than 9,600 members and 2,500 adult volunteers; we are spread over 46 states, the District of Columbia, Germany, and Japan; and have affiliates in a host of other countries. We help by initially focusing on character building and on fostering leadership qualities—helping to mold productive citizens through programs that help instill the qualities that will help them step into the shoes of the leaders of tomorrow.
Our nationally recognized “Closing the Gate on Drugs” initiative educates our young members about the dangers of the most-common gateway drugs (tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, prescription drugs, and marijuana). It is taught by our senior Young Marines to convey how healthy, responsible living starts closer to home.
A large part of being a Young Marine is learning the value of personal sacrifice and shared responsibility. Each year, Young Marines from across the country travel to Iwo Jima, Pearl Harbor, and the home of the Navajo Code Talkers at Window Rock, Arizona, to honor surviving veterans and their families for their historic and dedicated service to our nation.
Training is what sets Young Marines apart. All recruits undergo a 26-hour orientation program spread out over several weekly meetings. The focus of the orientation program is firmly on physical fitness, history, customs and courtesies, close-order drill, and military-rank structure.
From survival skills to aviation to rock climbing and more, the Summer Program of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES) provides Young Marines with the opportunity to attend numerous leadership schools and programs around our great nation. SPACES summer activities are designed to enrich the Young Marines experience with valuable, team-based skills.
Our nationally recognized “Closing the Gate on Drugs” initiative educates our young members about the dangers of the most-common gateway drugs (tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, prescription drugs, and marijuana). It is taught by our senior Young Marines to convey how healthy, responsible living starts closer to home.
Each member of the Young Marines learns how to personally implement this knowledge, so that they are prepared to share their experience and information with members of their community.
A large part of being a Young Marine is learning the value of personal sacrifice and shared responsibility. Each year, Young Marines from across the country travel to Iwo Jima, Pearl Harbor, and the home of the Navajo Code Talkers at Window Rock, Arizona, to honor surviving veterans and their families for their historic and dedicated service to our nation.
Each November, all units participate in Young Marines Veterans Appreciation Week—a campaign that challenges our Young Marines to show appreciation for, and to help, veterans in their local communities. Young Marines participate in projects such as sending thank you cards to hospitalized veterans, cleaning up a disabled veteran’s yard, visiting veterans in the hospital, and organizing a community function to socialize with local veterans. Each unit is encouraged to design projects to best serve their local community—cumulatively reaching out to thousands of veterans across the nation.
Training is what sets Young Marines apart. All recruits undergo a 26-hour orientation program spread out over several weekly meetings. The focus of the orientation program is firmly on physical fitness, history, customs and courtesies, close-order drill, and military-rank structure.
After orientation training, the recruits can learn additional skills, earn rank, wear the Young Marines uniform, and work toward ribbon awards. Ribbons signify achievement in areas such as leadership, community service, swimming, academic excellence, first aid, and drug-resistance education—They are badges of honor that symbolize the achievements they have made.
From survival skills to aviation to rock climbing and more, the Summer Program of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES) provides Young Marines with the opportunity to attend numerous leadership schools and programs around our great nation. SPACES summer activities are designed to enrich the Young Marines experience with valuable, team-based skills.
Young Marines can take part in programs such as the Great American History Adventure, Space Camp, Space Academy, Aviation Mach II and Mach III Challenges, National Outdoor Leadership School, SCUBA and Master SCUBA Diver Schools, and the National Encampment.
The Young Marines National Foundation provides financial support to the mission, values, and programs of the Young Marines through the solicitation, preservation, and distribution of gifts, grants, and matching funds from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
The mission of the Young Marines is to positively impact America’s future by providing quality youth-development programs that nurture and develop boys and girls into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.