Building tomorrow's leaders today. . . . . .
A national youth program for boys and girls, ages eight through high school Focused on leadership, citizenship through community service, self-discipline and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 235 units with 7,500 youth and 2,500 adult Volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.
The Young Marines "Closing the Gate on Drugs" initiative focuses our drug demand reduction efforts on raising awareness of common gateway drugs (tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, prescription drugs and marijuana) that are either in homes or neighborhoods and are most often encountered and easily accessed by children and young adults.
Since the program's beginnings, we have tried to provide a structured and disciplined environment for youngsters who will eventually make up the nucleus of your organization.
In the past three years our Young Marines and Adult Volunteers contributed over 1.8 million volunteer and community service hours across our nation. You might say that you cannot put a price on such dedication but you can. According to the Independent Sector, in partnership with IMPLAN, the latest value of a volunteer hour is $24.69 this equates to over $44,000,000.00 the Young Marines program has committed to our communities.
If you are interested in becoming a Young Marine adult volunteer, Find a Unit near you by entering the zip code in the community you live in and click on the unit(s) in your area. Contact the Unit Commander listed for more information about that unit and their recruiting schedule. Once you have decided to become an Adult Volunteer, simply fill out the Volunteer Adult Application, submit that application to the Unit Commander who will then endorse the application and send it to Young Marines National Headquarters for approval. All adult volunteers are screened by the National Headquarters based on recommendations and a background investigation performed by National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI).
It is VERY IMPORTANT to understand the relationship between the Marine Corps League and the Young Marines program. The Marine Corps League is the “parent organization” of the “subsidiary” Young Marine Organization. But – there is absolutely NO supervisory and/or directive authority by Marine Corps League detachments over any of the Young Marine Units throughout the country. Ours is a supportive, assistance, educational, RECOGNITION and leadership role that provides the basis for the youngsters in the program to become better, more productive, non-drug using adults in our society in the future.
EASTERN PA CONTACT
Linda Chamberlain 215-355-2909 ssgtnwife@verizon.net
WESTERN PA CONTACT
Don Bailey 724-746-1996 jdbailey2@verizon.net