OPINION:
Are you familiar with the Young Marines? Probably not, and that’s OK. I spent 20 years in the Marine Corps and didn’t know much about the program. I thought it was comparable to Junior ROTC programs, but it is not affiliated with any high schools.
Young Marines is a program operating in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Japan. The program stresses healthy, drug-free living for kids ages 8 to 18 (or upon graduation from high school, when they “age out”).
The Young Marines program does this in many ways. By emphasizing leadership, good citizenship, character, values, integrity, discipline and teamwork, the program turns out youth that are ready for the challenges that lie ahead and are motivated to succeed.
Much time is spent outdoors — camping, marching, hiking and orienteering. Physical fitness is emphasized, so the Young Marines tackle CrossFit for kids, obstacle courses, runs and other exercises.
The program has been so successful nationally that it has received $4 million annually in a congressional drug demand reduction grant from 2010 to 2021. Unfortunately, despite its success, the Young Marines program has lost its support in Congress the last two years, requiring significant operational program reductions to stay afloat.
This is remarkably distressing for many reasons. The program helped more than 6,500 kids in 2022; it is supported by more than 2,000 adult volunteers across the nation.
Young Marines has been a 12-time winner of the Department of Defense Fulcrum Shield Award for youth drug demand reduction and numerous awards from the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The adults who donate their time — and often their money — for this nonprofit organization undergo full background checks and training. This is a lean organization; there are only 10 full-time staff members at the national headquarters.
Why is this program so important right now? There are many reasons, but the most important may be that this year is the 50th anniversary of our all-volunteer armed forces.
The military services are experiencing dramatic recruiting shortfalls. One primary reason for this is that only about 23% of age-appropriate young men and women are qualified to serve in the military.
Disqualification can result from being overweight or in poor physical condition, a criminal record, drug use, no high school diploma, etc.
Over 106,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021. That is more deaths annually than deaths caused by guns (48,830) and car crashes (45,404) combined.
The numbers for 2022 are similar. Overdose deaths in 2021 alone exceeded the combined service member deaths in the last 50 years of warfighting. Youth overdose deaths climbed 94% in 2020 and 20% in 2021.
This is a crisis.
While the focus and emphasis of the Young Marines is drug demand reduction, about 30% of Young Marines go on to serve successfully in all branches of the military. In addition to the Young Marines who matriculate from the program and serve successfully in the armed forces, many contribute with distinction to our great nation while serving in local, state, and federal government positions of enormous responsibility and trust, many of which are in national security.
Others distinguish themselves in private industry and academia while giving back to their communities. Young Marines alumni are found everywhere except in the criminal justice system. Young Marines leave our program spring-loaded for a life of achievement, example, and enduring success.
While the program is not a recruiting program, it should be obvious that it is one of the most successful recruiting tools available to the military and other federal agencies requiring a drug-free background. So perhaps it is time for the military to provide some of the funding — which would be money well spent — to the Young Marines.
If recruiting really matters and the military can look beyond the current fiscal year, they should see the unquestionable value of funding this $4 million program from the $800 billion defense budget.
• David S. Jonas is a partner at Fluet Law. He serves on the board as general counsel of the Young Marines.
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