Welcome to the web site of the Capital City Young Marines.

We have included this information so you can learn more about the Young Marine organization.

Young Marine units are organized into local units located in nearly every every state in the United States. Each unit is an independent community-based program led 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.

They volunteer their time and make every effort to pass those positive values on to those under their charge before other destructive influences take root. Upon joining a local Young Marine unit, the youth undergoes a demanding 26-hour orientation program, generally spread out over several weekly meetings. This orientation program is affectionately called "Boot Camp."

The youth learn the general Young Marine subjects such as history, close order drill, physical fitness, customs and courtesies, and military rank structure. After graduating from "Boot Camp", the Young Marine continue the character building process and begin a lifelong pursuit as productive and contributing citizens in their community, During the summer months, Young Marines have the opportunity to attend Summer Programs of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES) offered by the National Headquarters.

Although the Young Marines is the U.S. Marine Corps' official youth program to the Department of Defense for youth Drug Demand Reduction, the Young Marines is not a recruiting force for the U.S. Marine Corps. We strive to instill the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment adopted by the Marine Corps to each of our members.

Mission

The mission of the Young Marines is to positively impact America's Future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Guiding Principles

The health, welfare and safety of the Young Marines are paramount We value our volunteers and will provide them with the tools they need to succeed We will never forget that this program is for our youth and uphold the core values Honor, Courage and Commitment We pledge to the parents to serve as positive role models to their children We get by giving.

Objectives

Promote the physical, moral, and mental development of our members Advocate a healthy, drug-free lifestyle through continual drug prevention education Instill in our members the ideas of honesty, fairness, courage, respect, loyalty, dependability, attention to duty, love of God, and fidelity to our country and its institutions Stimulate an interest in and respect for academic achievement and the history and traditions of the United States of America Promote physical fitness through the conduct of physical activities, including participation in athletic events and close order drill.

History

1958: First Young Marine Unit (Young Marines of Waterbury) formed in Waterbury, CT by members of the Brass City Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

1960: Young Marines of Waterbury grow to 300 Young Marines and 20 adult instructors.

1962: The Young Marines program grows to over 1500 boys in 10 cities and towns and gains national attention.

1965: Officially chartered on October 17, 1965 by the Marine Corps League and becomes a national youth program. October 17, 1965 is the official birthday of the Young Marines.

1974: Chartered as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League.

1975: Membership is extended to females.

1977: Young Marines governing body is elected and the Young Marines National By-laws are adopted.

1978: National By-laws approved at the Marine Corps League.

1980: Young Marines granted not-for-profit status as a youth educational organization by the Internal Revenue Service classification of 501(c) 3.

1993: Young Marines grow to 1,000 Young Marines and 300 adults in 45 units and becomes the focal point for the U.S. Marine Youth Drug Demand Reduction Program.

1995: Young Marines become international with units forming in Okinawa, Japan.

1999: Young Marines Board of Directors hire retired Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kessler as the first National Executive Director. First Young Marine Unit is formed in Alaska.

2000: Young Marines program expands to over 200 units in 38 States with over 11,000 Young Marines and nearly 2,000 adult volunteers. 2000 Young Marines participate in Youth Restoration Corps project along the Russian River in Alaska restoring Salmon Habitat. 2001 Summer Program of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES) is introduced with over 3,300 Young Marines participating.

2001: Young Marine units are formed at U.S. bases in Germany for military dependents.

2002: An affiliation formed between the Young Marines and the Australian Young Marines. 2002 Young Marines join with Army Cadets from Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden in its first cultural foreign exchange program.