RESOURCES
Below are some helpful resources for Young Marines, recruit, parents/guardians, and those who are interested in our Young Marine program. If you have any questions, please let one of our staff know.
CONTACT PROCEDURE FOR DRILL ATTENDANCE
Even though drill is mandatory, we understand there are circumstances when a Young Marine can not attend. School/family activities, illnesses, emergencies, etc. are all considered excused absences as long as we are notified in advance. Therefore, if a Young Marine or recruit will not be present at drill, please fill out Absence Form on the Calendar Page prior to the start of drill and note their absence on the Calendar page. Events such as parades, community service opportunities, etc. will use the same method unless otherwise notified or stated. Young Marines/recruits who are absent from drill and do not follow this policy will receive an unexcused absence for that day. When it comes time to select Young Marines for special unit events, special activities, and trips, those who attend drill and/or have excused absences will be given priority over those who do not.
Text Messages
Regarding text messages, we ask that you do not send a text message for drill/event attendance. We do not always know everyone’s phone numbers and it will help alleviate any confusion.
REQUIRED ITEMS FOR EVERY DRILL AND/OR UNIT EVENT
Drill
Young Marines
When specified, uniform (cover, red unit t-shirt, blouse, trousers, boots, boot bands, belt), guide book, ink stick, canteen, proper PT gear (running shoes, red unit t-shirt and plain black, knee-length shorts (no stripes), (grey sweatshirt and grey sweatpants if the weather indicates), guide book, ink stick, and camelback are required at drill unless otherwise specified. There will be a multiple uniform inspections and we expect uniforms to be clean and pressed, boots to be cleaned and shined, and Young Marines to be prepared for the day’s activities. If uniforms are not specified for drill, then PT gear will be worn.
Recruits
Recruits are to wear PT gear (running shoes, t-shirt and plain black, knee-length shorts (no stripes)) when they come to drill. They will receive a red unit t-shirt on their first day that they are to wear at every drill. Depending on the weather, they will need grey sweatshirt/grey sweatpants. They need to bring an ink stick/notebook, Young Marines Recruit Guidebook, camelback, and a lunch or you can purchase a lunch from the unit for $5.
Special Events
For special events including parades and community service when Young Marines are in uniform, they must have their camelback. Water bottles are not accepted. Young Marines are required to be squared away. A unit staff member will inspect them when they arrive. If they are not squared away, they will be sent home.
PROPER HAIRCUTS ARE ALWAYS MANDATORY WHEN IN UNIFORM or at DRILLS, REGARDLESS OF THE EVENT.
The Proper Uniform/Items Required at Every Drill Checklist can be found on our DOCUMENTS Library.
REPORT CARD/GRADES POLICY
Young Marines and recruits are required to turn in a report card every quarter. To be deployable, they have to have a minimum 2.0 GPA and no F’s. Anyone who falls below a 2.0, has an F, or does not turn in a report card for any given quarter is non-deployable and will need to earn a 2.5 GPA and no F’s the following quarter to be deployable again. Report cards are to be emailed to dunesyoungmarines@gmail.com.
PROMOTION POLICY
It is important that all Young Marines familiarize themselves with the Promotion Policy. Young Marines are required to personally notify Mr. Sickles that he or she would like to be promoted AND must have the Personal Progress Report (formerly known as the Parent Evaluation Form) filled out and given it to the unit XO before a promotion will be considered. This form can be found on our DOCUMENTS Library.
DECORATIONS, AWARDS, AND RIBBON REQUEST FORMS
A list of the current decorations and awards Young Marines can earn and the awards manual with the descriptions and requirements for each are located in the DOCUMENT Library. You will need Acrobat Reader to view these which can be downloaded for free at the Adobe website. Please be sure to thoroughly read the requirements and make sure you meet all of them before submitting a ribbon request.
When submitting a ribbon request, Young Marines must submit 2 forms: a Ribbon Request Form and a Required Documentation Form. When a ribbon is requested for an activity outside of the Young Marines (sportsmanship, musician, etc.), the Required Documentation Form must be signed by the coach, teacher, or adult that is in charge of the activity. If it is for an activity within the Young Marines (encampments, physical fitness, good conduct, etc.), a staff member must sign the form.
Please remember that it is the Young Marine’s responsibility to keep track of his or her community service hours and report them to the staff to get credit for them. This includes any parades that you participate in and any times you serve as color guard.
These forms can be found on our DOCUMENT Library.