The Young Marines of the Marine Corps League, Inc. is a youth program designed to positively impact America’s future by providing quality youth development programs for girls and boys, aged 8-18, that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marine program is not a recruiting force for the United States military.

Another mistaken belief is that we are in the business of reforming ‘wayward’ teenagers. Please be advised: this program is NOT like those you may have seen on television, and we are in no way associated with the latest trend in ‘reality’ shows. While we do employ the discipline of the Corps to instill values such as Honor, Courage and Commitment as adopted by the USMC, there is a strict “hands-off” policy and contrary to popular misconception, we are not verbally abusive.

The WNY unit was established and chartered in 2003. Since that time the unit has been under the leadership of various Commanding Officers. Our present CO is Mr. Gary Eichler. We currently have an enrollment of 35 Young Marines, and a staff of 12 which includes trade professionals, a teacher, a public relations specialist, a mom, and a retired gentleman. Five are former Marines, one is former Navy, and one is active duty Air Force. Each of us undergoes an annual background check, and ‘unit report card’ and is expected to strictly adhere to Young Marine standards of policy.  While we hail from a variety of backgrounds and career choices, each of us volunteers our time and talents to the Young Marine program with the fervent desire to make a positive difference in the lives of tomorrow's leaders.