The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through 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 Young Marines is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps' youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.

The Official Mission of the Young Marines Organization is:

To promote the mental, moral, and physical development of its members.
To install in its members the ideals of honesty, fairness, courage, respect, loyalty, dependability, attention to duty, love of God, and fidelity to our country and its institutions.
To stimulate an interest in, and respect for, academic achievement and the history and traditions of the United States of America.
To promote physical fitness through the conduct of physical activities, including participation in athletic events and close order drill.
To advocate a drug-free lifestyle through a continual drug prevention education program.