For Recruits

Training occurs during our weekly meetings but may also take place on weekends. Young Marines have the opportunity to 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 13 week training program which takes place during our normal meetings. Recruits learn general subjects such as history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness, military rank structure and can participate in parades, fundraisers and other special events/trips.  Instructions covering citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, school, home activities and close order drill are given to all Young Marines.  They also participate in hiking, camping, field trips, community service, parades, and color guards. This rigorous training instills a sense of pride and personal accomplishment that forms a basis of a new found confidence and self-esteem.

Graduation Day is a proud, rewarding, and memorable occasion in the life of every recruit.  It is the day when the distinguished title "Young Marine" is bestowed. Graduation ceremonies are attended by parents and friends. After graduating the new Young Marines have the opportunity to learn more new skills, earn rank, wear the Young Marine uniform, work toward ribbon awards as well as participation in national events.

                    Basic Guide                Junior Guide                Senior Guide                Advanced Guide 

Benefits

During the summer months, Young Marines have the opportunity to attend the Young Marines National Summer Programs of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES). Adventures have a historical emphasis and are designed with the younger child in mind. In contrast, older Young Marines can participate in Challenges. Challenges consist of training in areas such as survival skills, wilderness training, and water-based activities. Young Marine Encampments provide the opportunity for Young Marines of all ages to gather together and train as a large unit of up to 700 youth at a time. Schools consist of leadership courses. Over 3,000 Young Marines participate in the SPACES programs each year.

The Young Marines is the proud two-time recipient of the Department of Defense’s Fulcrum Shield Award for Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Programs. The award recognizes military-affiliated youth organizations around the world that have made concerted efforts at spreading the anti-drug messages throughout their communities. For more information please see the National Website.

We participate in parades, community service, hiking, camping, wilderness, survival and other exciting activities as well as travel events such as our 2008 trip to Washington DC, our 2011 trip to Camp La No Che or our 2011 trip to Parris Island, South Carolina.

Each year, regional commanders from across the nation are asked for their recommendations for Young Marine of the Year. The six 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 option are advanced to Private First Class upon successful completion of Marine Corps boot camp.

We meet at the Navy / Marine Reserve Center in central Palm Beach County on Wednesday nights.  If you are interested in enlisting, you and your parents are invited to join us any Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. then you can join the upcoming recruit class and your parents will have the opportunity to join our monthly parent/staff meeting and then stay to learn more.  Please wear a white T-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers when you visit us.

Our recruit boot camp begins the second week of every January and August.

For Parents

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.  We are not a "scared straight" or "boot camp" type of program for troubled youths nor can we "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.

We are not molding Marines so we do not teach weapons, warfare or tactics but we do wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor on our uniforms and take pride in our appearance and conduct. We cannot give your child self-esteem, no one can, but we can give him or her opportunities to earn it. When something is earned, it has more value and is worth keeping. The Young Marine program is not a program for couch potatoes. It is a challenging, exciting and motivating program that requires commitment to excel.

The Young Marines of the Palm Beaches is less regimented than some other units.  This is a kids program and we believe it’s important for the kids to have fun while gaining skills, confidence and self esteem.

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. Parents play a big part in their child’s success.  We highly encourage parents to be part of the program whether it’s helping their son or daughter with learning their basic Young Marine skills to volunteering in unit activities.  The biggest commitment a parent has to make is to assure your son or daughter comes to drill and takes advantage of opportunities the Young Marines have to offer.

Drop Off / Pick up (excerpt)

Drop Off - Parent will sign in the Young Marine and is then free to leave. Until signed in, the Young Marine is the responsibility of the parent and should not be left on the grounds.

Pick Up - Parent will sign out the Young Marine at the end of the meeting and receive any appropriate materials and get any necessary information that is passed at this time. Until the Young Marine has been signed out, they are not to leave the grounds.

Cost

The Young Marines of the Palm Beaches’ cost to register is $375.  Recruits will receive Young Marine Recruit Training Materials to get them started on the path to completing Recruit Training successfully. By graduation your Young Marine will have received all the necessary uniforms. Please contact us for sibling pricing if you plan to have more than one child in the Young Marines.

Annual Registration costs $45.00 due at the end of August of each year the Young Marine is in the program.  These dues cover National, Regimental and Battalion dues that support our unit and program at different levels in our Chain of Command.

Please click the link below for our enrollment package.  If you would like additional information please feel free to either contact any of our staff members.