I am really interested in joining a young military group, since i can find any information on the cap and my school doesn't support JROTC i am thinking about joining the Sea Cadets or the Young Marines. i of course do plan on enlisting when i am 17 and im not sure about what branch to go into but for sure going to enlist. please help me out and let me know which is better idc if its ur opinion or fact. just let me know asap. please post and do the poll both.

Either will introduce you to some form of military life and, if you play your cards right, get you an advanced rank upon enlistment. Neither will be particularly useful in terms of actual military training - honestly, it doesn't matter which you join.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

Either will introduce you to some form of military life and, if you play your cards right, get you an advanced rank upon enlistment. Neither will be particularly useful in terms of actual military training - honestly, it doesn't matter which you join.

Which is more realistic? like is Sea Cadets more organized? because that's the impression im getting from the websites and videos.

Go for the marines.

Originally Posted by tomtom22

Go for the marines.

u sure? because i want to get something where people are mature. i have been looking into it alot lately and i have noticed that alot of the young marine pictures and videos are alot of little kids. im 16 so i dont want to be with 11 year olds you know what i mean? im just very curiouse.

I'm not sure how the Young Marines are in your area, or where exactly you're from, but most of the programs are designed to teach you about the military in general, and the Marine Corps specifically. They work with local bases or reserve units to teach you things like drill, physical fitness, etc. Think of it as similar to scouts, only with a military focus. The instructors are normally retired Marines (and in many cases former Drill Instructors) and will be able to give you some personal insight to the Corps, as well as get you in touch with a recruiter if that is what you choose to do. They can also help with scholarships specifically aimed at the Young Marines. I can't talk about the Sea Cadets, but I know Young Marines is a great program. I am about to go on recruiting duty and I plan on working with the local Young Marines while I am out there. Good luck in you decision and I hope I was some help.
Semper Fi,
SSgt Mac

Originally Posted by Mac0861

I'm not sure how the Young Marines are in your area, or where exactly you're from, but most of the programs are designed to teach you about the military in general, and the Marine Corps specifically. They work with local bases or reserve units to teach you things like drill, physical fitness, etc. Think of it as similar to scouts, only with a military focus. The instructors are normally retired Marines (and in many cases former Drill Instructors) and will be able to give you some personal insight to the Corps, as well as get you in touch with a recruiter if that is what you choose to do. They can also help with scholarships specifically aimed at the Young Marines. I can't talk about the Sea Cadets, but I know Young Marines is a great program. I am about to go on recruiting duty and I plan on working with the local Young Marines while I am out there. Good luck in you decision and I hope I was some help.
Semper Fi,
SSgt Mac

Thanks Alot SSGT, i really appreciate the input. I think im going for the young marines 3 people have gone with YM. Thanks alot. if anyone else has anything to say please do haha.

Somewhat a grave dig...

But having been part of Civil Air Patrol for 5 years as a cadet, I interacted with Sea Cadets, JROTC, and Young Marines many times. Most of these were at a local airshow, where all the units help with security and clean up, etc. Due to CAP being inclined towards Aerospace, I happened to command 250 Navy/Army JROTC, 50 Sea Cadets, and 20 Young Marines in August 2007. From that last experience with all the groups, and the past ones at previous encounters I can tell you that I'd rank the organizations as CAP/USSC, JROTC, Young Marines, in that particular order.

CAP is my team. Everything I learned military related was from CAP, and while it's not a prep school for the military, it definately made me appreciate the life style and the way of the military. I've had so many wonderful experiances, and I've had many great opportunities with national and local activities.

USSC. I had quite a few friends who were USSC, and I can say that the local unit, while one of the better ones, sometimes acted like a whole bunch of kids hanging out. Other times, however they were awesome, especially at the airshows and their summer activities locally kick ass! (Note, some CAP units have the same "hanging out" mentality, so your milage will vary)

JROTC. No Gym! Woot! (That's pretty much all I got out of them. lol)

Young Marines. I've never seen anyone older than 12-13 in the Young Marines. Mostly because at 12 you can join CAP, and at 13 you can become a USSC. Heck, before then you can join the USSC with their junior program. Their uniforms look like crap, and I don't mean 'bling' I mean the way they wore them (and the crap that was on it too, I'll admit). They NEVER took an order, and they never performed an assigned task. What you get for having an avg age of 9-10 years old.

As for not fiding anythign on CAP...http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/html/index.htm

Also, that said, if you are 16 right now, and wish to enlist at 17-18, If you give CAP 18 months and are high speed, you can get the Mitchell Award, giving you C/2d Lt in the program, and E-3 in the Air Force and Coast Guard. Marines never give **** to anyone, and Army/Navy will negotiate for E-3 but will also give E-2 no problems.

For more info on all of them, go to CadetStuff.org, as they have resources for all the programs.

Originally Posted by USAFAUX2004

Somewhat a grave dig...

But having been part of Civil Air Patrol for 5 years as a cadet, I interacted with Sea Cadets, JROTC, and Young Marines many times. Most of these were at a local airshow, where all the units help with security and clean up, etc. Due to CAP being inclined towards Aerospace, I happened to command 250 Navy/Army JROTC, 50 Sea Cadets, and 20 Young Marines in August 2007. From that last experience with all the groups, and the past ones at previous encounters I can tell you that I'd rank the organizations as CAP/USSC, JROTC, Young Marines, in that particular order.

CAP is my team. Everything I learned military related was from CAP, and while it's not a prep school for the military, it definately made me appreciate the life style and the way of the military. I've had so many wonderful experiances, and I've had many great opportunities with national and local activities.

USSC. I had quite a few friends who were USSC, and I can say that the local unit, while one of the better ones, sometimes acted like a whole bunch of kids hanging out. Other times, however they were awesome, especially at the airshows and their summer activities locally kick ass! (Note, some CAP units have the same "hanging out" mentality, so your milage will vary)

JROTC. No Gym! Woot! (That's pretty much all I got out of them. lol)

Young Marines. I've never seen anyone older than 12-13 in the Young Marines. Mostly because at 12 you can join CAP, and at 13 you can become a USSC. Heck, before then you can join the USSC with their junior program. Their uniforms look like crap, and I don't mean 'bling' I mean the way they wore them (and the crap that was on it too, I'll admit). They NEVER took an order, and they never performed an assigned task. What you get for having an avg age of 9-10 years old.

As for not fiding anythign on CAP...http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/html/index.htm

Also, that said, if you are 16 right now, and wish to enlist at 17-18, If you give CAP 18 months and are high speed, you can get the Mitchell Award, giving you C/2d Lt in the program, and E-3 in the Air Force and Coast Guard. Marines never give **** to anyone, and Army/Navy will negotiate for E-3 but will also give E-2 no problems.

For more info on all of them, go to CadetStuff.org, as they have resources for all the programs.

thank you i have recently joined the Civil Air Patrol, there is a unit 2 miles away from where i live! i have just finished my three meetings and i have put in my forms for acceptance. i can't wait!

Good to hear, If you ever have any questions, etc. Send me a PM, or e-mail if the system allows it. Like I said, I did 5 years as a cadet (technically 4, since the last year or so was wishy-washy with work and college), but I've definitely had a lot of experience in almost every branch CAP has to offer a cadet.