Unit Information

Who We Are
The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle and teaches the value of truthfulness, fairness, respect, courage, attention to duty and love of God and Country. The Young Marines is the official youth program of the U.S. Marine Corps and the focal point for the Marine Corps' Youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.

The Sumner County Young Marines is a challenging, exciting and motivating program that requires commitment to excel.


Who We Are Not
The Young Marines program is not a summer camp, day care program or military school. If you are looking for a babysitter, don't look here... Please do not expect the Young Marines Staff to raise your child. That is not their responsibility and purpose.

The Young Marines is not a "scared straight" or "boot camp" type of program for troubled youths. We cannot "fix" children with discipline problems. We are not social workers, so don't expect us to work miracles in behavior improvement or behavior modification with your child. Our staff members are parents just like you, not professionals qualified to handle such issues. Our staff, however, will try to re-enforce standards of good behavior and academic achievement expected by any parent, as well as by society, for their child.

We are not a paramilitary group and are not a military recruiting station for any branch of the Armed Forces. Young Marines do not carry weapons and do not receive any form of combat training. While a Young Marine may decide to join the military when he or she turns 18, he or she is under no obligation to do so. Likewise, participation in the Young Marines program does not automatically guarantee acceptance into the Armed Forces.


Membership
The Young Marines program is open to all boys and girls ages eight through completion of high school. The only membership requirement is that the youth must be in good standing at school. Our Young Marines and staff reside in the Sumner County area.

Since its humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the world-wide organization has grown to over 240 units with 10,000 youth and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.


Our Volunteers
Our unit is led by dedicated adult volunteers who are individually screened by the National Headquarters based on background information and recommendations provided with each person's registration. Several of our volunteers are prior service military personnel who believe passionately that the values they learned while serving in the Armed Forces had a positive affect on them. It is through the unit’s caring adults that Young Marines learn the inner values of Leadership, Teamwork, and Dedication.


Training
Our unit meets twice a month, every other Saturday. Various training activities include first aid training, drill, map and compass, just to name a few. Young Marines have the opportunity earn ribbons for achievement in areas such as leadership, community service, swimming, academic excellence, first aid and drug resistance education.

Upon joining the Young Marines, recruits undergo a training program which takes place during our normal drill weekends. Recruits learn general subjects such as history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness, and military rank structure. After graduating from recruit training, the new Young Marines have the opportunity to learn more new skills, earn rank, wear the Young Marine uniform, work toward ribbon awards and can participate in parades, fundraisers and other special events/trips.


Parental/Guardian Involvement
Our program is truly a family program and parental/ guardian involvement is required. All parents/ guardians are strongly encouraged to participate in the Parent Support Group which helps plan, organize and carry out many of our Young Marine activities, fundraisers and operations.


Funding
We are a self-funded organization and rely on dues, fundraisers and generous donations from our supporters to support our Unit. If you are interesting in becoming a supporter of the Sumner County Young Marines, please visit our Donations page.