We had an initial meeting this evening to plan the start-up process for the Fox Valley Young Marines Chapter in NW Illinois. I was “drafted” as the Unit Commander; one would assume that considering the amount of time I spent as an enlisted Marine that I would have learned to never ever “volunteer” for anything. I guess I always was a slow learner. 🙂 However, after visiting the Young Marines website and learning what they do and how they do it, I was caught hook, line, and sinker. I feel honored to be able to help where I can to get this organization off the ground. We also have an adult who has stepped up to be our Executive Officer, but we need more! We need a paymaster, a training officer, an adjutant, and we need someone with medical training (Corpsman, Medic, EMS, nurse, fire fighter, etc.)
By the way, just in case you are assuming something, let me tell you what the Young Marines is not. They are NOT in any way shape or form intended as a recruitment vehicle for the United States Marine Corps. They merely use the traits and values of the Corps as a corner-stone for helping young children between the ages of 8 and 18, boys and girls, to develop into patriotic responsible, drug-free citizens for our country. Their mission is as follows:
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.
The Marine Corps League Post 077 of Elgin, IL has agreed to be our sponsor, and the VFW Post 1307 of Elgin has offered up their building as our HQ and training facility.
We are just now submitting our application for the charter and have four adults who will be submitted as Registered Adults (RA) to help get the chapter off the ground.
So, if you, or someone you know lives in the Fox Valley area of Illinois and has a child in the age group who might consider becoming one of our Young Marines, please let me know through the comment section below this post. AND if you, the adult, would be interested in becoming one of our RA’s please comment below.
As Always, Semper Fi, Jim Bathurst
Originally posted 2016-04-25 23:40:30.
Hello Sgt Jim, found you here at your new job, Great Work you are doing with the Young Marines! Do you know how many go on to be a Marine?
Semper Fi Sir
John Wayne
John, thank you, it’s my second career. LOL. To answer your question, I don’t have stats to give you, but quite a few join the services, some join the Air Force, but most are Marines. My senior YM (a female Cpl) wants nothing more than to be a Marine, but can’t, she’s on meds for OCD. We are trying to change the character of our kids of today, but there are only 300 units throughout the US, but hopefully we are making some strides. The shame is we get no funding from any agency; federal, state, or local. It’s all through fund Raising by the kids – tough. I have raised almost $20K since we started just from my Marine contacts in my email address book. Anyone who wants to donate to a great cause, a check to “Fox Valley Young Marines” sent to me will help us “Strengthen the Lives of America’s youth!”