Golden Gate Young Marines
F.A.Q.
Home
What is the primary focus of the Young Marines program?
The Young Marines program is not a recruiting tool for the armed services. It is not a residential program, a program for troubled youth, or a "scared straight" program; The program is for any youth aged 8-18. The program focuses on developing a youths' leadership and life skills so that regardless of what choices are made upon graduation from high school, he/she will have the tools be more successful. The longer a Young Marine stays in the program, the more rank can be earned - and more responsibility is given to him/her.
What is Young Marine Boot Camp?
Young Marine Boot Camp is a series of meetings usually totaling about 26 hours of training. Young Marine subjects such as close order drill, individual and military courtesies, rank structure, discipline and citizenship are taught. This training instills a sense of pride and personal accomplishment. Upon successful completion of boot camp, the youth earn the distinguished title of Young Marine. At this time the Young Marines are eligible to wear the Young Marine uniform and begin to earn ribbons to wear on their uniforms and move up in the Young Marine ranks. The Young Marine boot camp does not resemble the U.S. Marine Corps' boot camp, nor does it instruct weapons or combat skills training.
Do Young Marines do more than just attend unit meetings?
Training varies from unit to unit. Many units participate in parades, community service, hiking, camping and other exciting activities. In addition to unit functions, the members of the Young Marine program are eligible to participate in a wide variety of schools, encampments, educational ad- ventures and challenges. Schools consist of Junior and Senior Leadership, Scuba, Ground Aviation and an Advanced Leadership Seminar. Educational adventures are designed with the younger child in mind, usually from ages 8-13. These adventures have rotating venues on a yearly basis usually with a historical emphasis In contrast, the older Young Marines participate in Challenges which consist of training in areas such as wilderness, survival and water-based activities. Young Marine encampments provide the opportunity for Young Marines of all ages within a region to gather together and train as a larger unit of up to 700 youth at one time.
What are the educational benefits of Young Marine membership?
In addition to classroom instruction at unit meetings, the Young Marines opens multiple new doors to its members. Each year, regional commanders from across the nation are asked for their recommendations for Young Marine of the Year. The 6 youth that are nominated for the award are granted $500 scholarships towards their college education. The member that is chosen as the Young Marine of the Year is awarded a $1,000 scholarship. In addition to the scholarship opportunities, Young Marines that earn the rank of Sergeant or above while in the Young Marine program and choose to pursue the U.S. Marine Corps as a career option are advanced to Private First Class upon successful completion of Marine Corps boot camp.
Does the Young Marines teach Drug Resistance?
The Young Marines is the Marine Corps' official youth program for the Department of Defense Youth Drug Demand Reduction program. Young Marines make a pledge to be drug-free and work hard to encourage family, friends, and schoolmates to share in this commitment. The Drug Demand Reduction Ribbon award is awarded to any Young Marine who has displayed leadership, perseverance, visibility and courage in their community, and has either attended 8 prescribed drug reduction lectures or completed a school-based Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) course, given one civic/community presentation on drug demand reduction, and successfully displayed the ideals of a drug-free lifestyle in a newsletter, newspaper or other public media.
When and where do Young Marine units meet?
There are over 200 Young Marine units nationwide. Each unit is run by adult volunteers. Meeting places and schedules vary from unit to unit. This unit meets monthly, usually about one weekend in each month, where we sleep aboard the USS Hornet CVS-12 museum in Alameda California However during the summer more events are usually scheduled as the children tend to have more free time. This unit also attends encampments on military posts, and various campsites throughout California.
How do I go about getting a young person I know involved in the Young Marines?
If you are familiar with a Young Marine unit in your local area, contact the unit Commanding Officer. Those without a local contact may call the Young Marine National Headquarters in Washington, DC at: 1-800-717-0060. You will be given the phone number of the unit closest to your local area. National Headquarters can also be contacted via email at: [email protected]. The Commander for this unit is Caesar W. Batalao and can be reached at [email protected] .
How can I support the Young Marines Program?
There are many ways that you can help. First, you can volunteer your time to a local Young Marine unit. Adult volunteers are individually screened by the National Headquarters based on background information and recommendations provided with each person's registration. You can also make a difference by providing financial or "contributions-in-kind" to the program. You might consider sponsoring a Young Marine or a group of Young Marines through "boot camp", or sponsor a regional or national school or encampment. Another option is to donate goods or services to a local unit, or to the National Headquarters. At the local level, a sporting goods store could donate camping equipment, or an office supply store could donate copy paper. Donation of services may consist of an accounting firm assisting in maintenance of financial books or a service station offering the use of its parking lot for a car wash. At the national level, a corporate sponsor could donate food services for an encampment, travel services for units to travel to activities, or printing services for Young Marine manuals.