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.
Young Marine Obligation From this day forward, I sincerely promise, I will set an example for all other youth to follow and I shall never do anything that would bring disgrace or dishonor upon God, my Country and its flag, my parents, myself or the Young Marines. These I will honor and respect in a manner that will reflect credit upon them and myself. Semper Fidelis.

1958 First Young Marine Unit (Young Marines of Waterbury) formed in Waterbury, CT by members of the Brass City Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

1960 Young Marines of Waterbury grow to 300 Young Marines and 20 adult instructors.

1962 The Young Marines program grows to over 1500 boys in 10 cities and towns and gains national attention.

1965 Officially chartered on October 17, 1965 by the Marine Corps League and becomes a national youth program. October 17, 1965 is the official birthday of the Young Marines.

1974 Chartered as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League.

1975 Membership is extended to females.

1977 Young Marines governing body is elected and the Young Marines National By-laws are adopted.

1978 National By-laws approved at the Marine Corps League.

1980 Young Marines granted not-for-profit status as a youth educational organization by the Internal Revenue Service classification of 501(c) 3.

1993 Young Marines grow to 1,000 Young Marines and 300 adults in 45 units and becomes the focal point for the U.S. Marine Youth Drug Demand Reduction Program.

1995 Young Marines become international with units forming in Okinawa, Japan.

1999 Young Marines Board of Directors hire retired Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kessler as the first National Executive Director. First Young Marine Unit is formed in Alaska.

2000 Young Marines program expands to over 200 units in 38 States with over 11,000 Young Marines and nearly 2,000 adult volunteers.

2000 Young Marines participate in Youth Restoration Corps project along the Russian River in Alaska restoring Salmon Habitat.

2001 Summer Program of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES) is introduced with over 3,300 Young Marines participating.

2001 Young Marine units are formed at U.S. bases in Germany for military dependents.

2002 An affiliation formed between the Young Marines and the Australian Young Marines.

2002 Young Marines join with Army Cadets from Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden in its first cultural foreign exchange program. The Young Marines welcome a very special new member to its ranks, Chester, our puppy bulldog mascot.

2003 The Young Marines introduce their new celebrity spokesperson, R. Lee Ermey.