The Young Marines Unit Building excellence through structure

 With a focus on character building, leadership and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, the Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members.  A 501(c) non-profit youth education and service program, the Young Marines is for boys and girls, ages eight through completion of high school.
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.  Upon joining the local Young Marines unit, youth undergo a 26-hour orientation program, generally spread out over several weekly meetings.  This orientation program is called “Recruit Training.”  The youth learn general subjects such as history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness and military rank structure.
After graduating from Young Marines “Recruit Training,” the youth have the opportunity to learn more new skills, earn rank, wear the Young Marines uniform and work toward ribbon awards.  Young Marines earn ribbons for achievement in areas such as leadership, community service, swimming, academic excellence, first aid and drug resistance education.
“Boot camps are a little tough, but we also want to make sure they have fun,” said Commanding Officer Timothy Stratton of the Santa Clarita Young Marines.  “We typically take a two-weekend camping trip to camp Pendleton, and before they graduate, they do a graduation challenge at 5 in the morning, where they do a team building experience.  It is funny because we sometimes receive phone calls from mothers after boot camps that their son or daughter is calling them ‘Mam.’”
The Young Marines was founded back in 2006 and held their first boot camp in January 2007 with 20 Young Marines and 12 new recruits.
“We are also very heavily involved in the community with Prayers Angels, American Legion and the Sheriff’s Department, just to name a few,” he said.
Commanding Officer Stratton also said that the Ronald Regan detachment post 597 helps out a lot with donations.
“We know that they are still kids, and they love to come because they like to have fun,” Stratton said.  “When the kids have fun, the staff has fun, as well.  Our goal is to make them productive citizens for society, and respect themselves.”
For more information on the Young Marines please visit www.youngmarines.com/unit/santaclaritavalley/home or email scvymadj@yahoo.com for more information.