One of the principals who received this email found it "scary,"
and commented "Does this look like the young Nazis or what?" In fact,
a photo
posted at their website, under the
history of the Young Marines, is shockingly similar to a
photo of Hitler Youth.
From: Sumner County Young Marines [mailto:sumnercountyym@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 10:47 PM
To: [I've deleted the email addresses of the school principals]
Subject: Sumner County Young Marines
Importance: High
Dear Principals:
My name is Chris Hardin and I am the Commanding Officer for the Sumner County
Young Marines. The reason I am contacting you is to see if my staff and I
may either come into the schools and inform the children of the program or
to see if we can send literature to the school and it be sent home with the
children. We are starting a new session the beginning of February. My staff
and I would like to get the information to the children no later than January
27th.
Below you will find some information about the program. Please take a moment
and read over it and let me know which option would be available.
Who we are
The Young Marines is a youth education and service programs 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 official youth program of the U.S. Marine
Corps and the focal point for the Marine Corps' Youth Drug Demand Reduction
efforts.
Membership
The Young Marines is open to all youth ages 8 through completion of high
school. The only membership requirement is that the youth must be in good
standing at school. Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings, in 1958, with
one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 240 units
with 10,000 youth and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of
Columbia, and, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.
Our Volunteers
Young Marine 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
affect on them. It is through these caring adults that Young Marines learn
the inner values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Adult volunteers are individually
screened by the National Headquarters based on background information and
recommendations provided with each person's registration.
Training
Upon joining a local Young Marine unit, youth undergo a 26-hour orientation
program, generally spread out over several weekly meetings. This orientation
program is affectionately called "Boot Camp." The youth learn general
subjects such as history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical
fitness, and military rank structure. After graduating from Young Marine "Boot
Camp", the youth have the opportunity to learn more new skills, earn
rank, wear the Young Marine uniform and work toward ribbon awards. Young Marines
earn ribbons for achievement in areas such as leadership, community service,
swimming, academic excellence, first aid and drug resistance education.
R.Lee Ermey, the Young Marines official celebrity spokesperson
The Young Marines are honored to have R. Lee Ermey as their official celebrity
spokesperson. Mr. Ermey garnered worldwide acclaim for his portrayal of Drill
Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrik's film Full Metal Jacket
(1987). Ermey is the host of the History Channel's hit show, Mail Call.
Chester, the official mascot of the Young Marines
Chester, the puppy bulldog, is the Young Marines official mascot. Chester
enjoys all the benefits of Young Marine membership such as the opportunity
to earn rank and ribbons, wear the Young Marine uniform, and a free subscription
to the Young Marine Esprit magazine. Chester sometimes even makes guest appearances
at unit meetings, graduations, and training conferences.
Young Marines Veterans Appreciation Week
For one week in November each year, Young Marine units across the country
celebrate Young Marines Veterans Appreciation Week (YMVAW). The purpose of
the campaign is to challenge our Young Marines to dedicate some of their time
to help our nation's veterans and to demonstrate, through their actions, their
sincere appreciation for our veterans' service to our country. Unit projects
include sending thank you cards to hospitalized veterans, cleaning up a disabled
veterans yard, visiting veterans in the hospital, or simply setting up a community
function to socialize with local veterans.
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.
Motto
Strengthening the lives of America's youth
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.
Young Marine Creed
1. Obey my parents and all others in charge of me whether
young or old.
2. Keep myself neat at all times without other people
telling me to.
3. Keep myself clean in mind by attending the church
of my faith.
4. Keep my mind alert to learn in school, at home or
at play.
5. Remember having self-discipline will enable me to
control my body and mind in case of an emergency.
For more information on the Young Marine program, please visit our web site
at www.youngmarines.com
If you have any questions or concerns please contact me on my cell phone
at 349.6167.
Sincerely,
Chris Hardin
Commanding Officer
Sumner County Young Marines
*[street address deleted]*
Gallatin, TN 37066
(615) 451-0077 (Home/ Fax)
Email: sumnercountyym@bellsouth.net
"Semper Fi"
The recruiter's phone number is listed on their website --http://www.youngmarines.com
(the link to which I do not seem to be able to embed -- sorry!) -- so I don't
feel I'm giving away any private information.
Interesting that the Young Marine Obligation includes the words," shall
never do anything that would bring disgrace or dishonor upon God." Also
interesting that #3 of the codes says, "Keep myself clean in mind by attending
the church of my faith." Does that mean children of athiests need not apply?
Or that children who are Wickens are welcomed?
A former Marine I know had this to say: "Those kids need to be getting
much of the same discipline and fitness through the Boy and Girl Scouts and
not the military." Good -- so it's not just me!!
