The Making of Young Marines

Thirteen-year-old Amia Moore, a rising eighth grader at Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School in Albany, wants to make the world a better place. She is happy to have found a path to that goal through her recent involvement with the Albany Young Marines, a youth program which focuses on leadership, community service, self-discipline and a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

“I JOINED THE YOUNG MARINES LAST YEAR, AND IT HAS INSPIRED ME TO WANT TO DO MORE FOR MY COMMUNITY AND MY COUNTRY,” MOORE SAID. “I BELIEVE THAT THE LEADERSHIP, DISCIPLINE AND TEAMWORK I LEARNED IN THE YOUNG MARINES HAS HELPED ME BUILD MYSELF UP, WHICH MEANS THAT I CAN BUILD OTHERS UP, TOO. THIS HELPS THE COMMUNITY AND JUST MAKES THE WHOLE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.”

Leadership, discipline and teamwork are, in fact, the core values of the Young Marines, a program for boys and girls ages 8 to 18. Started by several former U.S. Marines in Connecticut in 1959, today the highly respected youth organization has grown to more than 238 units. The focus, though, has remained the same: to strengthen the lives of America’s youth and to develop future leaders.

In our community, the Albany Young Marines, under the leadership of Eric Crump with assistance from his wife Adriana, is experiencing a resurgence. With just four participants at the beginning of 2021, the local unit has grown to about 30 active members and is on track to hit 40 recruits by year’s end. "The Young Marines program is based on the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment,” Crump explained. “Of course, discipline is important. It's a program anybody can excel in as long as they apply themselves."

The program offers leadership development and other life skills through training that mirrors the values of the Marine Corps. New recruits undergo 26 hours of orientation training, concentrating on history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness and military rank structure. After graduating from Young Marine Recruit Training, members have the opportunity to earn rank, wear the Young Marine uniform and work toward ribbon awards for achievement in areas such as leadership, community service, swimming, academic excellence, first aid and drug resistance education.

The group meets twice a month on Sundays at the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport for several hours of training and drills. Community volunteers make the program possible. In fact, the Crumps are both volunteers who got involved so that their sons could benefit from the program. In addition to the Crumps, other parent volunteers and members of the Single Marine Program at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany (MCLB) participate in training activities.

Dan Gillan, CEO of the Albany Area YMCA and chair of the

With more than 30 active members this year, the Young Marines meet twice a month on Sundays at the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport for several hours of training and drills.

Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, sees a mutual benefit in the relationship between MCLB and the Young Marines.

“The purpose of the Military Affairs Committee is to promote a relationship of support between MCLB and the community, and this program is a great example of that," said Gillan, a former commander of Marine Depot Maintenance Command at Albanybased Marine Corps Logistics Command. "Volunteering with the Young Marines gives some of the U.S. Marines stationed here the opportunity to get out and serve the community by being role models. They help the kids learn how to stand at attention, how to salute and some of the other basics of being a Marine. They also work on ways to help the kids develop who they are, from physical fitness goals, like running, push-ups or crunches, to serving as color guards for different community events.”

LAST YEAR, THE YOUNG MARINES COMPLETED MORE THAN 425 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ARE STRIVING FOR 1,000 HOURS IN 2022.

“It is important for us that the Young Marines impact the community by giving back,” Crump said. “Some of the past projects included assisting with greeting and registration at the Chamber’s Salty Sandbagger Golf Tournament, cleaning up the YMCA Sports Park and helping with food drives. We’ve also been able to work with groups like Strive 2 Thrive, the Albany Humane Society and local veterans. It’s been great to work with the Chamber because they’ve been able to help us get the word out and connect us with some of those opportunities.”

The Young Marine participants enjoy the community involvement. Moore cited an outreach ministry of Life Church as a particular favorite of hers. “I especially liked helping to organize the Foster Closet,” she said. “We matched outfits of donated clothes that were then made available to children in foster care.”

Another Young Marine, 17-year-old homeschooled student Isaiah Smith, also enjoys the opportunity to give back to the community. “I like meeting people,” he said. “One activity that I especially enjoyed was helping The Salvation Army to put together food boxes for the elderly. I like being able to be a part of a group that’s doing good work.”

Crump also noted the special connection between the Marine Corps League, a service organization of Marine Corps veterans, and his unit of Young Marines. “This cross-generational link gives the youth participants a way to learn from and honor the veterans, while also giving the older generation a way to celebrate and support our youth,” said Crump.

Crump strives to make the program accessible for anyone who wants to participate. The only membership requirement is that the youth must be in good standing at school. A uniform and supplies run about $250 for each participant, but the Crumps make sure that money is never a problem.

“If a family wants their child to do this program,” said Crump, “we figure out a way for them to join and to take care of the expenses. If they want to give their child a chance to improve themselves and have more opportunities in the future, I don’t want money to be an issue.”

WHILE SOME YOUNG MARINE PARTICIPANTS GO ON TO JOIN THE MILITARY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION THAT IS NOT THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM.

“One thing I like about this program is that they are not necessarily grooming these kids to be U. S. Marines,” said Gillan. “What the program does is instill patriotism and good character values. They are building future leaders. Whether these young men and women become Marines or not, they will be leaders in their communities. My co-chair, Don Gray, and I are both strong proponents of the Albany Young Marines because we see the value of what they are doing, and that is why we are very vocal about supporting their efforts though the Military Affairs Committee.”

The participants are also aware of the impact that the Young Marines organization has had on their lives.

“It’s a great program, whether you’re interested in the Marines or just for fun,” said Smith, who is considering a career in either the military or agriculture. “There’s a lot to learn, and you’re surrounded by good people who want to help you succeed.”

Future world-changer Moore, who wants to pursue interests in journalism and nursing in college and one day join the U.S. Air Force, agrees. “When you show teamwork, everyone feels included. That’s what I love about the Young Marines," she said. "Everyone has a chance to be a hero. You don’t have to be in the military. You just have to want to make a difference.”