Young Marines
Encyclopedia
The Young Marines is a youth program in the United States
, open to children from the ages of 8 years old through the completion of high school.
The creed that every Young Marine lives by is:
The obligation in which they stand by is: "From this day forward, I sincerely promise to set an example for all youth to follow. I shall never do anything to bring disgrace or dishonor upon my God, my country, 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."
US Congress found in the Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 that Young Marines and similar programs "provide significant benefits for the Armed Forces, including significant public relations benefits."
It should be noted that the Young Marines are not a recruitment tool for militaries of any sort, and combat skills are not taught. At the same time, events that Young Marines may participate in may involve close connection with public relations aspects of the armed forces.
in Waterbury, CT. The Young Marines received its charter on October 17, 1965, and continued its affiliation with the MCL as well it became the US Marine Corps drug demand reduction program for youth in July 1993. In 1975 the Young Marines extended its membership to females, and in 1995 the program went international with units in Okinawa, Japan. The Young Marine program was awarded the Fulcrum Shield in 2001.
The Young Marines are similar to JROTC units, but they exist on a national level. It is open to children from the ages of eight years old through high school. Most units require a small yearly fee for registration and uniforms, ranging from fifteen to fifty dollars a year. Generally, units meet on local military bases where a building serves as their headquarters and classroom.
The organization has over 300 units with over 13,000 Young Marines and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and affiliates in a host of foreign countries including Germany and Japan.
Like the Marine Corps, the Young Marines have 7 divisions, each with multiple regiments. The command is from national, to division, to regiment, to battalion, to unit. For additional information see the YM national website.
All units accept new members differently as part of recruit training. Some units train new recruits over a period of several months, led by several drill instructors, while other units train new members of a course of a few weekend meetings. At the end of recruit training, members are officially given the tile of "Young Marine," are allowed to wear the standard camouflage uniform, and earn the rank of private. Honor recruits, recruits that have done exceptionally well during their training period, may begin with the rank of Private First Class.
Upon earning sufficient rank, Young Marines may enroll in a leadership school in order to enhance their leadership skills. Junior Leadership School (JLS) is available for LCpl's and Cpl's, and is necessary for advancement to the rank of Sergeant. The curriculum at JLS often involves leadership skills, map and compass navigation, US and Young Marine history, duties of billeted positions, and squad drill. Senior Leadership school (SLS), teaching Platoon Drill and advanced leadership skills, is available for Sgt's and SSgt's, and is necessary for advancement to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Upon attainment of sufficient rank, advanced leadership school is possible, and it is a requirement for the final rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.
. Unlike the Marine Corps JROTC
, the Young Marines are not authorized to wear the MARPAT
MCCUU. As for dress uniform
, the current dress uniforms allowed are Service Alphas, Bravos, and Charlies. The U.S. Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem is replaced with the a gold Young Marine emblem on all uniforms where an EGA is used. On service uniforms, the garrison cover is the only headgear permitted. Marine Corps Dress blues are NEVER authorized for a Young Marine to wear, unlike MCJROTC units which are allowed to wear modified Blue Dress "A" and "B" for balls and other formal events.
Young Marines may be billeted with both certain ranks and certain positions. Billeted positions include, but are not limited to, the following: Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Guide-on, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Unit Guide-on, Unit Gunnery Sergeant, Unit First Sergeant, and Company Sergeant Major. In some cases, a Young Marine need not have the rank their billet entitles to be granted that billet, such as a Staff Sergeant being able to have the billet of Unit Gunnery Sergeant. Billets may also apply to different positions in the organizational structure, from a position within the squad (i.e. Squad leader) to the battalion (i.e. Battalion Sergeant Major.) Not all billets may be available, depending upon the size of the unit.
Upon completion of the Young Marines, during an honorable discharge at the end of high school, one may enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps with the rank of Private First Class if the rank of Sergeant has been attained in the Young Marines. This typically takes about 3 years.
Ribbons are awarded in 4 levels:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, open to children from the ages of 8 years old through the completion of high school.
Role and purpose
- To promote the mental, moral, and physical development of its members
- To instill in its members the ideals of honesty, fairness, courage, respect, loyalty, dependability, attention to duty, and fidelity to the United States and its institutions
- To stimulate an interest in, and respect for academic achievement and the history and traditions of the United States and the U.S. Marine Corps
- Their three core values are leadership, discipline, and teamwork
- To promote the physical fitness through the conduct of physical activities, including athletic events and close order drill
- To advocate a healthy drug free lifestyle by continual drug prevention education programs
- Can receive a higher initial pay grade upon enlistment in the USMC
The creed that every Young Marine lives by is:
- Obey my parents and all others in charge of me whether young or old.
- Keep myself neat at all times without other people telling me to.
- Keep myself clean in mind by attending the church of my faith.
- Keep my mind alert to learn in school, at home, or at play.
- Remember that having self-discipline will enable me to control my body and mind in case of an emergency.
The obligation in which they stand by is: "From this day forward, I sincerely promise to set an example for all youth to follow. I shall never do anything to bring disgrace or dishonor upon my God, my country, 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."
US Congress found in the Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 that Young Marines and similar programs "provide significant benefits for the Armed Forces, including significant public relations benefits."
It should be noted that the Young Marines are not a recruitment tool for militaries of any sort, and combat skills are not taught. At the same time, events that Young Marines may participate in may involve close connection with public relations aspects of the armed forces.
Organization
The Young Marines was founded in 1959, by the Brass City detachment of the Marine Corps LeagueMarine Corps League
The Marine Corps League is the only Congressionally chartered United States Marine Corps-related veterans organization in the United States. Its Congressional Charter was approved by the 75th U.S. Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The organization credits...
in Waterbury, CT. The Young Marines received its charter on October 17, 1965, and continued its affiliation with the MCL as well it became the US Marine Corps drug demand reduction program for youth in July 1993. In 1975 the Young Marines extended its membership to females, and in 1995 the program went international with units in Okinawa, Japan. The Young Marine program was awarded the Fulcrum Shield in 2001.
The Young Marines are similar to JROTC units, but they exist on a national level. It is open to children from the ages of eight years old through high school. Most units require a small yearly fee for registration and uniforms, ranging from fifteen to fifty dollars a year. Generally, units meet on local military bases where a building serves as their headquarters and classroom.
The organization has over 300 units with over 13,000 Young Marines and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and affiliates in a host of foreign countries including Germany and Japan.
Like the Marine Corps, the Young Marines have 7 divisions, each with multiple regiments. The command is from national, to division, to regiment, to battalion, to unit. For additional information see the YM national website.
Activities
Young Marines learn survival techniques, physical training, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, rappelling, scuba diving, etc. depending upon the geographic location of the unit, and undergo leadership training, such as Junior Leadership, Senior Leadership, and Advanced Leadership. Different schools can be viewed on the Young Marines website. All battalions train differently, so schools may vary. Most schools are done at Camp Pendleton in California for Nationals, but some battalions,regiments,or divisions will do smaller leadership schools. All Young Marines learn military drill based on the U.S. Marine Corps and practice those skills in community parades; some units may have their own drill team.All units accept new members differently as part of recruit training. Some units train new recruits over a period of several months, led by several drill instructors, while other units train new members of a course of a few weekend meetings. At the end of recruit training, members are officially given the tile of "Young Marine," are allowed to wear the standard camouflage uniform, and earn the rank of private. Honor recruits, recruits that have done exceptionally well during their training period, may begin with the rank of Private First Class.
Upon earning sufficient rank, Young Marines may enroll in a leadership school in order to enhance their leadership skills. Junior Leadership School (JLS) is available for LCpl's and Cpl's, and is necessary for advancement to the rank of Sergeant. The curriculum at JLS often involves leadership skills, map and compass navigation, US and Young Marine history, duties of billeted positions, and squad drill. Senior Leadership school (SLS), teaching Platoon Drill and advanced leadership skills, is available for Sgt's and SSgt's, and is necessary for advancement to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Upon attainment of sufficient rank, advanced leadership school is possible, and it is a requirement for the final rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.
Uniforms
The standard Young Marine uniform is the woodland-pattern BDUBattle Dress Uniform
The Battle Dress Uniform were the fatigues that the armed forces of the United States used as their standard uniform for combat situations from September 1981 to April 2005. Since then, it has been replaced in every branch of the U.S. military. Only the U.S. Navy currently authorizes wear of the...
. Unlike the Marine Corps JROTC
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a Federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the United States...
, the Young Marines are not authorized to wear the MARPAT
MARPAT
MARPAT is a digital camouflage pattern in use with the United States Marine Corps, introduced with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform , which replaced the Camouflage Utility Uniform. The pattern is formed by a number of small rectangular pixels of color...
MCCUU. As for dress uniform
Dress uniform
Dress uniform , is the most formal military uniform, typically worn at ceremonies, official receptions, and other special occasions; with order insignias and full size medals...
, the current dress uniforms allowed are Service Alphas, Bravos, and Charlies. The U.S. Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem is replaced with the a gold Young Marine emblem on all uniforms where an EGA is used. On service uniforms, the garrison cover is the only headgear permitted. Marine Corps Dress blues are NEVER authorized for a Young Marine to wear, unlike MCJROTC units which are allowed to wear modified Blue Dress "A" and "B" for balls and other formal events.
Ranks
When Young Marines first join the program they will enter as a recruit, spending anywhere from 3–4 months at that rank. After graduation they are considered a young marine Private (Pvt) (unless they receive the title of Honor Recruit, which advances them to the rank of Private First Class (PFC)). After that, the young marine will have to advance to higher ranks based on actual ranks in the United States Marine Corps. The rank structure, in ascending order, goes as follows: Private (Pvt), Private First Class (PFC), Lance Corporal (LCpl), Corporal (Cpl), Sergeant (Sgt), Staff Sergeant (SSgt), Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt), Master Sergeant (MSgt), and then finally to Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt). After the completion of Master Sergeant (MSgt) you can be billeted as a First Sergeant (1stSgt) and as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt) you can be billeted as a Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) for a short amount of time.Young Marines may be billeted with both certain ranks and certain positions. Billeted positions include, but are not limited to, the following: Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Guide-on, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Unit Guide-on, Unit Gunnery Sergeant, Unit First Sergeant, and Company Sergeant Major. In some cases, a Young Marine need not have the rank their billet entitles to be granted that billet, such as a Staff Sergeant being able to have the billet of Unit Gunnery Sergeant. Billets may also apply to different positions in the organizational structure, from a position within the squad (i.e. Squad leader) to the battalion (i.e. Battalion Sergeant Major.) Not all billets may be available, depending upon the size of the unit.
| Rank Structure of the Young Marines | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia | No Insignia |  |
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| Title | Private | Private First Class |
Lance Corporal |
Corporal | Sergeant | Staff Sergeant |
Gunnery Sergeant Gunnery Sergeant Gunnery Sergeant is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is a staff non-commissioned officer... |
Master Sergeant |
First Sergeant |
Master Gunnery Sergeant Master Gunnery Sergeant Master Gunnery Sergeant is the ninth and highest enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps... |
Sergeant Major |
| Abbreviation | YM/Pvt | YM/PFC | YM/LCpl | YM/Cpl | YM/Sgt | YM/SSgt | YM/GySgt | YM/MSgt | YM/1stSgt [Billet] | YM/MGySgt | YM/SgtMaj [Billet] |
Upon completion of the Young Marines, during an honorable discharge at the end of high school, one may enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps with the rank of Private First Class if the rank of Sergeant has been attained in the Young Marines. This typically takes about 3 years.
Ribbons
To show completion of certain requirements, Young Marines are awarded ribbons. There are currently 67 ribbons that can be earned. Every year a Young Marine is chosen for Young Marine of the Year. There are different types of Young Marines of the Year. There is a Unit Young Marine of the year, Battalion YMOY, Regiment YMOY, Division YMOY, and a National YMOY.Ribbons are awarded in 4 levels:
- Level 1 - Personal Decorations
- Level 2 - Achievement Awards
- Level 3 - Service Awards
- Level 4 - Qualification Awards
See also
- United States Naval Sea Cadet CorpsUnited States Naval Sea Cadet CorpsThe United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a congressionally chartered, U.S. Navy-based organization that serves to teach individuals 13 to 17 years old about the sea-going military services, U.S. Naval operations and training, community service, citizenship, and an understanding of discipline and...
and Navy League Cadet CorpsNavy League Cadet CorpsThe Navy League Cadet Corps is a version of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps program developed for younger cadets, aged 11 through 14... - Civil Air Patrol Cadet
- The United States Marines
- Junior Reserve Officers' Training CorpsJunior Reserve Officers' Training CorpsThe Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a Federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the United States...
- United States Army Cadet Corps (formerly the American Cadet Alliance)
- California Cadet CorpsCalifornia Cadet CorpsThe California Cadet Corps is a paramilitary youth organization in California open for students in the college, high school, middle school and elementary school grades.-Role and purpose:...