Honor      Integrity      Pride

Introduction

The number of youth committing crimes over the years has increased dramatically. It is our opinion that the cause of this is due to a lack of family values and work ethics along with the drive to succeed.  We believe this is in part, partially due to the heightened interest in computers, video game technology and peer pressure. 

I believe if youth had more access to positive mentors that could introduce, sponsor, and organize fun activities and events that would hold their interest we could not only keep youth off the street but extend their interest in community service in order to help make a difference in our area. The Marine Cadets of Massachusetts are committed to reversing this negative trend. Our mission is to keep youth off the streets and occupied. We do this by providing youth with fun extracurricular activities and positive mentors. In doing this we provide youth with the tools they will need to become successful and ultimately develop an outstanding citizen for the community.

Mission

Our mission is to keep youth off the streets and occupied. We do this by providing them with fun extracurricular activities and positive mentors. In doing this we hope to provide youth with the tools they need to become successful and ultimately develop an outstanding citizen for the community.

Organization Description

Our organization currently meets every Sunday night from 3:30 - 8:00pm (unless canceled for staff meetings or holidays).  As the kids become more familiar with the organization they become increasingly involved in local weekday and Saturday ceremonies, parades, functions, activities, fundraisers, and community service events.  The organization is modeled off the United States Marine Corps, though we are in no way affiliated with the Marine Corps or any other local, state, or federal agency.  We maintain the Marine Corps model in part due to the fact that a majority of the staff is former Marines.  Our staff is also compromised of Army and Air Force national Guardsman, former cadets, and dedicated civilians. Though our organization does not require or encourage youth to join the military once they become of age, many have. We have recently begun stressing the importance of college as a preferred option once they become of age.  Our goal is to teach youth to become better citizens and to give back to their community. We accomplish this by teaching honor, integrity and pride and also by building youth confidence by teaching them how to succeed but also that failure is part of life and serves as incentive to try harder and to learn from their mistakes.

Because we are modeled off the Marine Corps the youth wear Marine Corps uniforms bearing our patch and are taught the history, traditions, terminology, customs, discipline, and more.  Learning these traits in addition to self discipline, teamwork, and self respect are instilled through the pride of wearing a uniform and learning to work as a team.

Our goal is not to produce a United States Marine but to use the fun adventures, teamwork exercises, activities, and discipline of the military to gain the interest of our youth.  We hope to alleviate the stress that rest upon our parents and guardians shoulders who struggle with keeping their youth on the right path to a successful life in today's tough society.

The adults volunteering in the organization commit to sharing their life experience, love for their community, and spare time which is a direct reason of why we are so successful.  A Parent Liaison was selected to serve as a link between our staff and parental support.  We also have Board of Directors to assist in overseeing our organizations operation and to assist in decision making and offering suggestions that would better the organization.

Structure

The staff will be led by volunteers organized into the following committees:

• Commanding Officer (CO)
  • Responsible for Overall Operation and Success of the Organization
  • Work Closely with the Parent Liaison and Volunteer Support Group

• Executive Officer (XO)
  • Assist the CO and Serves as the Commander in the CO’s Absence.
  • Oversees Organizations Financial Record / Budget

• Adjutant (ADJ)
  • Supervision of Cadet Instructors
  • Supervision of Section Chiefs
  • Ensure all Unit Policies and Procedures are Followed
  • Ensure the Safe Guard of Personal Information
  • Maintains Record of and Issues Awards and Decorations
  • Assists CO in all Legal Matters
  • Responsible for Postal Matters

·         Personnel and Administration

o   Supervision

o   Personnel Files

o   Legal

o   Planning

·         Communications and Public Relations

o   Recruitment

o   Monthly Newspapers

o   Media Liaison

o   Telephone

o   Web Sites / Social Web Sites

o   Fundraising

§  Extraneous Sales

·         Training and Operations

o   Curriculum

o   Facilities

o   Training Operations

o   Testing

o   Physical Fitness

o   Instructor Supervision

o   Public Speakers

o   Moral, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR)

§  Activities, Functions, and Trips

·         Supply and Logistics

o   Gear / Equipment, Property Accountability

o   Uniform / Gear Issuing

o   Maintaining Adequate Stock of Serviceable Gear / Equipment

o   Organizing Event Transportation, Food, Gear, Shelter, and Equipment