You will learn to march in CLOSE ORDER DRILL  (C.O.D.).

You will learn of uniform regulations and personal hygiene.

You will learn Physical Fitness and become Physically Fit.

You will learn your Young Marines Creed and Obligation.

You will learn about military disciplines and courtesies.

You will learn self discipline and respect.

And if you survive the 13 weeks of

Then you will have earned the title of one of the

If you feel the compelling drive to join a program like this - a program that challenges you physically, mentally, emotionally, and morally; that builds self-discipline, self-respect, and self-esteem; that teaches you Discipline, Leadership, Teamwork, and other necessary life skills; that keeps you active and participating in your community; and includes several other individual and team building activities - then the Young Marines is your ideal organization.

Joining the Eastern Michigan Young Marines can be simple. Our weekly Unit Meetings are held at the Lapeer Michigan National Guard, 2140 W. Genesee St. in Lapeer on Thursdays from 6:00 to 8:30. During the beginning of the meetings, you are free to come in and talk to the Commanding Officer. You will receive a Registration Application, which you can also print online by clicking on the "YM Sign-up Forms" page tab. Print off the sheets, fill the Application out completely, and submit it to the Commanding Officer. Upon registration, your paperwork will be filed into your YMRB (Young Marine Record Book) and then filed through National Headquarters. Once this has been completed, you will become an official Young Marine Recruit, and will continue your experience through Recruit Training.

If you are an adult interested in becoming involved with the Young Marines, you may also contact the Commanding Officer for information. If you meet the required criterion and eligibility requirements necessary for involvement, then you can easily become an Adult Volunteer. Once you fill out the official paperwork, you will become registered in the Young Marines program as well.

For more information, contact the Commanding Officer at:

EasternMichiganYoungMarines@msn.com

Starting into the Young Marines program is exciting, but can also be confusing. You are coming into a program with little to no experience or knowledge of what to do or what has to be done. You don't know the drill. You don't speak the terms that are used. You don't wear the uniform they wear. Sometimes you may feel like an outsider just looking in. It's alright, don't panic, everybody goes through this. Just breathe deep and stand straight - it will be alright.

The staff at the Eastern Michigan Young Marine unit makes sure that everyone has a mentor to relate to. When you are assigned to the Recruit Platoon, you will be with other young men and women who are feeling just like yourself. You will learn and grow as a team and as a unit - a unit that will never leave anyone behind. Once all of your paperwork (or "trash") is completed and your dues are paid, you will be listed into the Young Marine's national database at the National Headquarters in Washington, DC. In about a week or two, you will be issued a Young Marine's national red T-shirt and cover (headgear).

After you join the unit, you are expected to show up to the weekly meetings neat, clean, and on time. Your arrival should be at least 5 minutes early. Which means you should be there no later then 5:55 PM (or 1755 military time.) Opening ceremony will begin at 1800 hours (6 PM). After opening, you will do approximately 30 minutes of physical fitness and then receive your orders of the day. Recruits will go to their training class and the Young Marines will work on drill or attend special training classes in a variety of subjects such as CPR, First Aid, Map & Compass, Wilderness Survival, Ropes & Knots, Marksmanship & Gun Safety, Leadership, Character Building, U.S. History, U.S. Marine Corps History, and U.S. Flag History - just to name a few. However, your training doesn't stop after you graduate from boot camp. Your "boot camp", or Recruit Training, covers just the basics of being a Young Marine. This is why you are awarded the Basic Ribbon when you graduate. Being a Young Marine is much more then just getting through the basic training, and your fellow Young Marines are more then just a bunch of other boys and girls who enjoy the program.

The Young Marines IS a brotherhood of both boys and girls, younger and older, some taller and some shorter, where size, age, and gender doesn't matter. You become a group of close friends who are there to help each other - friends who will help build, strengthen, and edify each other.