The Young Marines is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 youth education and service program for boys and girls ages 8 through high school. Young Marines are organized into local units located in nearly every state in the United States.

Yes. Young Marines units are community-based programs run by dedicated adult volunteers in over 300 communities across the United States, and overseas. Young Marine units are similar in nature to Boy/Girl Scout councils or Camp Fire chapters where the units meet once or twice a week.

There are over 230 Young Marines units nationwide, including international units in Okinawa, Japan.

Each Young Marines unit is a independent community-based program lead by 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 affect on them. They volunteer their time and make every effort to pass positive values on to those under their charge before other destructive influences take root. New volunteers are always welcome to apply, regardless of whether or not they have a background in the Armed Forces.

While there must be at least one Marine in good standing – Former, retired, reserve or active duty who serves as the Unit Commander, volunteers are always welcome to apply, regardless of whether or not they have a background in the Armed Forces.

No. The youths do NOT attend a "military-style" resident program. This is not a program where you send your children for an extended period. On average, units meet once or twice per week year round.