Young Marines History
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.
Young Marines introduce the first annual:
Young Marines Veterans Appreciation Week.
This continues to be an annual one-week tribute each November
2002: An affiliation formed between the Young Marines and the Australian Young Marines.
The Young Marines officially adopt a new motto: "Strengthening the lives of America's youth".
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: Young Marines officially introduce their new celebrity spokesperson, R. Lee Ermey.
2004: Eleven Young Marines travel to the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, along with veterans of that battle, to commemorate the famous flag raising by the Marines at Mount Siribachi. Young Marine members have returned to Iwo Jima on an annual basis every year since.
2005: The Young Marines celebrates their 40th anniversary of receiving their official charter.
2008: The Tri-County Michigan Young Marines receive their Temporary Charter.