The Young Marines was officially chartered by The Marine Corps league as a national program in 1965. The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls ages 8-18, The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its young recruits.

The Young Marines is open to all Bossier Parish youth and is free. The program is sponsored and administered by Sheriff Larry C. Deen and the Bossier Sheriff's Office.

The focus of the Young Marines Program is character building and the cornerstone of the program is the Young Marines obligation, creed and core values. The words, meaning, spirit and intent is continuously stressed. Another guiding principle of the Young Marines program is that we will uphold the Marine Corps core values of honor, courage and commitment as well as the Young Marines core value of discipline, leadership and teamwork.

Upon joining the Young Marines, each recruit will undergo basic recruit training for 13 weeks. During this time, the youth will have the opportunity to learn military history, customs and courtesies, close order drill,, physical fitness, rank structure and other subjects pertaining to life skills. Most importantly, the youth will learn to bond and relate with other young recruits and the opportunity to interact with caring adult mentors that are committed to providing them with a safe place to develop and grow with special emphasis on the love of God and fidelity to our country.

Upon completing the recruit training, the recruit becomes a Young Marine, where as the youth will have the opportunity to learn new skills, earn ranking, wear the Young Marine uniform and have unique opportunities for learning and adventure.