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What We Do
The Young Marines strengthens the lives of America’s youth by teaching the importance of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring our veterans, good citizenship, community service, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building and leadership and promotes a lifestyle that is conducive to being productive members of society.
Training
Upon joining a local Young Marines unit, recruits undergo a 26-hour orientation program, generally spread out over several weekly meetings. They 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, Young Marines have the opportunity to learn even 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.
Real Testimonials
As a Young Marine GySgt and their bootcamp #004 senior instructor, I can say this is a very motivated unit with some really amazing and great Adult Staff (RAVs). I've spent a week with this unit and can't wait to come back and visit again! ~~Former Young Marine
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I think this is an amazing program, it takes a lot to get my sons attention and he is completely consumed by this program it is all he talks about. I am as excited as he is! ~~Proud Parent
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I am happy with the foundation they are building for these kids. My son is excited for the future adventures with YM! ~~Proud Parent
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Best thing to ever happen to my son! Great leaders! ~~Proud Parent
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I love our RA Staff! We are truly all like a family. ~~Registered Adult Staff
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Enrollment Packet
To join Cross Roads Unit, please click the link below and print out our enrollment packet.
https://www.ymdbs.org/YM_UPLOADS/LibraryDownloads/YMEnrollment_V9.pdf
Become a Registered Adult Volunteer
Young Marines units are community-based programs lead by dedicated Registered 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 effect on them. Though many of our volunteers have prior military experience, it is not required to become a volunteer with the Young Marines. The Young Marines mission of positively impacting America’s future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls cannot be achieved without our team of dedicated adult volunteers. It is through these caring adults that our Young Marines learn the inner values of Leadership, Teamwork and Discipline. Young Marines Registered Adult Volunteers invest their time and effort to pass these values on to the youth in their respective communities before other destructive influences take root.
https://www.ymdbs.org/YM_UPLOADS/LibraryDownloads/Volunteer%20Registered%20Adult%20App_V19.pdf
Awards
Cross Roads Unit is the third time recipient Unit of the Year in Battalion and Regimental levels. The Young Marines is the proud eight-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 anti-drug messages throughout their communities.
85th Annual Howard County Rodeo Parade...Best Community Spirit 2018
3 Times awarded the Howard County Community Grant for our service to the Howard County Community through our Community Service efforts.