The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promote a 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 and supported by the Marine Corps League.. The Young Marines participate in physical exercise, close order drill and classroom instruction. They learn how to respect themselves as well as one another, self discipline, self confidence, self esteem, and how to work as a team. They are not just learning how to cope with situations now, but they are learning life skills that will carry them through adulthood. The Young Marines learn new skills and earn the same rank as the U.S. Marine Corps. With hard work and dedication ribbons are earned in areas such as CPR, swimming, map reading, drug prevention training, fire prevention, conservation, first aid, academic achievement, community service, marksmanship, physical fitness. Young Marines participate in many functions including, helping the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve with Toys 4 Tots, parades, presenting the colors for veteran memorials and other civic services they also perform community service in their neighborhoods.