MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, YUMA, Ariz. -- April marks the 50th anniversary of the Young Marine program, and Yuma’s detachment reflected on their experiences in the organization.
The Young Marines, formed in 1958 in Waterbury, Conn., by members of the Marine Corps League, is a youth education and service program for children, 8 to 18 years old. The organization focuses on providing a healthy and drug-free lifestyle through character building and leadership development.
Just like Marines honor their birthday and remember the traditions of their past, it’s important for the Young Marines to do it as well, said Michael Monroe, Yuma Young Marines commanding officer.
This program has done a lot of great things for its members and also the people who volunteer, said Monroe.
“We had one Young Marine who went through and completed boot camp and told us how (the Young Marines) helped to get him through,” said Monroe, who has been working with the organization for three years.
Sometimes, there are members who don’t want to be here at first, but after a while, they start to enjoy the program and really get invested in it, said Monroe.
Although Yuma’s detachment won’t be traveling to the national celebration in Connecticut, these young leathernecks didn’t let it stop them from remembering all the program has done for them.
“It’s helped me with self-control; not talking back rudely to adults,” said Lance Cpl. Lucas Mcqueen, who has been with the Young Marines for a year and a half. “I talked back to one of the instructors one time and it did not go so well. I’ll just leave it at that. I’m definitely more disciplined now than before.”
For other members, the program offers more than discipline.
“It’s helped me with my grades for school and getting back in shape,” said Lance Cpl. Eryn Dixon, a three-year member of the program. “I also like the trips that we take, like going to Sea World or (Marine Corps Recruit Depot).”
Though the program is meant for the Young Marines, parents and instructors have also benefited from being a part of it.
“The Young Marines gets them more focused academically. It helps keep them responsible,” said Donna Lay, a mother of two members and program volunteer. “In school, I can definitely see improvements. It’s good seeing the kids learning leadership, teamwork and doing community service activities.”
Lots of groups have gone through the program since it was first started in 1997 here, said Eleanor Sayles, a retired staff sergeant who started Yuma’s program. It’s sad to see them grow up and leave the program, but they leave with unforgettable memories of the Young Marines.
“I still see people in college who used to be members. They come up to me and ask me if I remember them,” said Sayles, who works at Arizona Western College. “I ask them to give me a hint, because they’re basketball players or football players or some other kind of athlete now. I remember them as kids.”
The Young Marines is a great program that can have long-lasting, positive affects on its members, said Sayles.
“My goal is to put them on the path of good citizenship,” she added.
Yuma’s detachment is composed of 25 members who meet here approximately three times a month to train. The Marines go through drill, uniform inspections, promotion boards and several other Marine Corps training events and functions. The Young Marines also mirror the Corps’ enlisted rank structure, with standards that must be met to reach the next rank.