WHO WE ARE

The Young Marines is a national youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through the 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 Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Unit was established in 1997 by some motivated members of the Bonnyman Detachment of the Marine Corps League and has been going strong ever since.  Our unit was named after Lt. Alexander "Sandy" Bonnyman, a Marine Officer who was killed in action during World War II.  As a Combat Engineer, Lt. Bonnyman received the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart posthumously for his actions during an important assault on a Japanese bombproof shelter during the Battle of Tarawa.  We are proud to carry his name.

 

OUR 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.

 

MEMBERSHIP

The Young Marines is open to all youth ages 8 through the completion of high school.  Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings, in 1959, with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 300 units with 10,000 youth and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Bahrain, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

 

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Young Marine units are community-based programs led 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 effect on them.  Adult volunteers are individually screened by the National Young Marines Headquarters based on background information and recommendations provided with each person's registration.

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The Lt. Alexander Bonnyman Unit has an amazing group of adult volunteers who dedicate a lot of time to making the unit a success. Our staff is comprised of individuals who have served or are currently serving in the Marine Corps, as well as other branches of the armed services and law enforcement.