In 1975 the Young Marines extended its membership to females, and in 1995 the program went international with units in Okinawa, Japan.

[3] The Young Marines are different from Junior ROTC units, in that they are not part of a high school and are a 501(c)3 non-profit instead of a government agency.

The program is open to children from the ages of eight years old through high school graduation.

Generally, units meet on local military bases or other locations such as American Legion, VFW, Fire or Sheriff Dept.

The organization has over 235 units with over 6,100 Young Marines and 2,100 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and affiliates in a host of foreign countries including Japan.

[1]Young Marines learn survival techniques, physical training, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, rappelling, scuba diving, etc.

[4] At the end of recruit training, members are officially given the title of "Young Marine," are allowed to wear the standard camouflage uniform, and earn the rank of private (those that have not completed recruit training successfully are allowed to take part in most unit activities, but do not hold the rank of private).

The official uniform for the Young Marines program for youth is the civilian version of the digital camouflage blouse and trousers, olive drab name tapes, khaki web belt, black boots, cover, and white crew-neck T-shirt.

[5][6] When Young Marines first join the program they will enter as a recruit, spending anywhere from 3–4 months at that rank.

To show completion of certain requirements, Young Marines are awarded ribbons and devices.