Helping Kids To Learn Respect and Honor!
About the Young
Marines
The
Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys
and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young
Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of
its members. The program focuses on character building,
leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The
Young Marines is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps'
youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts. Learn more.
The Shenandoah Valley Young Marines were founded by William
Molitor, who has
honorably
served in the
United States Marine Corps,
and is the former Commander of the Wesley Fox Young Marines
unit. Bill has
several
years of experience,
with his primary focus as
working with kids,
and running
his unit as Commanding Officer.
The location of the organization is at the
Elk’s
Lodge in Winchester, Virginia. The Young Marines meet there on
the 1st Sunday of each month,
beginning at 1:30 PM and
adjourning at approximately
5:30 PM. The kids will be performing community service,
learning history,
attending
field trips, as
well as
classes with our Drug Prevention Instructor,
Warren County Sheriff’s Officer
Mr. Larry Funk.
Recruit Training
You must complete a registration
application and pay the registration fee before you’re child
begins recruit training. Recruits will undergo twenty-six (26)
hours of recruit training. Training will consist of monthly
meetings and outings.
Reward System
There is a
rank structure in the Young Marines.
The ranks begin with Recruit, and extend through Sergeant Major.
A Young Marine must graduate Recruit Training;
that’s where the Young Marine will receive his/her first rank of
Private. If Young Marines do an outstanding job through
recruit training, they may become Honor Recruit status and
receive the rank of PFC (Private First Class). If the Young
Marine fails or misses the promotion test, he/she will need to
wait for the next testing period to be tested again. A
promotion board will be held during monthly meetings. An
Intention to Promote form must be signed 1 month prior to
attending a promotion board. Other considerations applied
toward promotion are appearance, personal fitness test (PFT)
scores, and attendance.
Award System
There
is also a ribbons
citation
achievement
award available, which the Young Marine can wear on his
or her uniform, representing achievement of certain goals. These
awards
represent hard work by staying focused, invoking discipline, and
gaining a desire to achieve their goals. The first step in
leadership is the desire to improve one’s ability to overcome
any obstacles. There are even awards for parents and leaders
who volunteer their time toward community relations and service
-
see awards
manual.
