About Us
The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
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. Our EIN is 38-2346425.
Our History
In 1959 in Waterbury, Connecticut, several former Marines formed an organization for boys that would mirror the values of the Marine Corps. Their vision – to offer leadership training and other life skills – formed the bedrock of the organization known today as the Young Marines. Years later, the program is a highly respected youth organization, for boys and girls ages eight through high school graduation, that has grown to over 236 units. Our focus, though, has remained the same: to strengthen 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 health, drug-free lifestyle. The core values - leadership, teamwork, and discipline - are well understood and practiced by all. 
Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 236 units with over 5,000 youth and over 1,950 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Okinawa, Japan, and affiliates in other countries.
Awards
The Young Marines is the proud recipient of the Department of Defense’s Fulcrum Shield Award for Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Programs for the thirteenth time in 2023. The award recognizes military-affiliated youth organizations around the world that have made concerted efforts at spreading anti-drug messages throughout their communities. More Awards >
Our Leadership
Our leadership is comprised of or Board of Directors and supported by the National Headquarters Young Marines staff, along with over 1,950 Adult Volunteers.
Meet our Board of Directors
Meet our Headquarters Young Marines Staff
The National Young Marine of the Year (NYMOY) is the highest honor given to a youth member of the Young Marines. The NYMOY travels to other units throughout the country to lead, motivate, and serve as a role model for the program. In addition, the NYMOY travels across the world to participate in remembrances and ceremonies such as the Reunion of Honor on Iwo Jima, the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, National Navajo Code Talkers Day, and more.
The Young Marines organization is divided geographically into six divisions across the United States. Each division selects a Young Marine of the Year who must meet vigorous requirements such as graduating from Advanced Leadership School at the Young Marines’ National Leadership Academy, maintaining high academic achievement in school, and maintaining high standards of physical fitness. From the six Division Young Marines of the Year, one Young Marine is named National Young Marine of the Year.
Chester
The Young Marines official mascot. Chester enjoys all the benefits of Young Marines membership such as the opportunity to earn rank and ribbons, wear the Young Marines uniform, and a free subscription to the Young Marines Esprit magazine.
Strengthening the lives of America’s youth
Our Motto
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.
Our Mission
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.