b'YOUNG MARINESA national youth program for boys and girls, ageseight through high school, focused on leadership,citizenship through community service, self-discipline, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.HistoryIn 1959 in Waterbury, Connecticut, several former Marines formed an organization for boys that would mirror the values of the Marine Corps. Their visionto offer leadership training and other life skillsformed the bedrock of the organization known Young Marines continued from pg. 33 today as the Young Marines. Years later, the program Young Marine Sergeant Aidan Sheehy believes that this is a highly respected youth organization, for boys and is the best program Ive ever been in.It has helped megirls age eight through high school graduation, that has become a better leader and progress as a young man. Ourgrown to over 264 units. core values of teamwork, leadership, and discipline haveOur focus, though, has remained the same: to strengthen helped me focus, stay on task, and succeed in school and the lives of Americas youth by teaching the importance life in general.of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring our Young Marine Staff Sergeant Blayne Benoit says my fourveterans, good citizenship, community service, and living years in the Young Marines feels like it went by in four weeks. a health, drug-free lifestyle. The core values - leadership, It was my best decision to join.I made amazing memo- teamwork, and discipline - are well understood and ries and met lifelong friends.The Camp Pendleton Youngpracticed by all. Marines are very proud of YM/SSgt Benoit as he attends CalAwardsMaritime in the fall of 2020 to work toward earning his com- The Young Marines is the proud ten-time recipient of mission as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.the Department of Defenses Fulcrum Shield Award for Come see us in action.Youll meet some great people,Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Programs. The award spend an event-filled Saturday with other focused and recognizes military-affiliated youth organizations around dedicated kids, and, most importantly, youll see how ourthe world that have made concerted efforts at spreading core values of teamwork, leadership, and discipline willanti-drug messages throughout their communities.improve your life. JWe can be contacted at adjutant.cpym@gmail.com, andJoin Todayyou can visit us at: youngmarines.com/unit/camppendleton. To find a Young Marine unit in your hometown, visit Semper Fi! our Unit Locator and enter your zip code. A list of Young Marines units in your area will appear. Click on the unit or units closest to you and information regarding that unit and their contact information will appear.https://youngmarines.com/findaunitYoung Marine Adult VolunteerYoung Marines units are community-based programs lead by dedicated 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.National Non-profitThe Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, aged eight through the completion of high school.The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values ofleadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.https://youngmarines.comThank You For Your Service Military Appreciation Resource Magazine 35'