Young Marines Take Marching Orders for Fun

Private First Class Ryan Mungovan of Geist, and new recruit Luke Hughes of Carmel, learn discipline and survival skills as participants in the Central Indiana Young Marines program.

For decades, millions of young children have donned their camouflage pajamas and pretended to be brave soldiers or drill sergeants. But for some area youth, night ops and company drills are part of a dream come true.

A cross between scouting and boot camp, the Central Indiana Young Marines (CIYM) is a part of the Marine Corps League, and offers kids in the area an experience like no other. It is a non-profit youth education and service program for boy and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school, and focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

“Our motto is Do the Right Thing,” says Geist resident Tony Mungovan, a former Marine Corps sergeant who now serves as a training officer for the organization. “Through our program, we instill discipline in our participants and we stress team-building and physical fitness,” he says.

Mungovan’s ten-year-old son, Ryan, is involved in the program and has seen the rewards first-hand. “My son is now a Private First Class, and he has really learned to listen better at home since he’s been involved in this program,” says Mungovan. “He has also learned the importance of preparing a uniform, which requires discipline. He is motivated to meet the company’s requirements, like cutting his hair and trimming his fingernails properly. It’s really been a positive experience for both of us,” he adds.

Mungovan coordinates the training for participants, which includes drills, team building, physical fitness activities and classroom time focusing on topics like leadership or academic excellence. “We also stress the concept of obeying and respecting authority, both in the classroom and at home,” Mungovan says. “We provide all this in a positive and motivating environment,” he adds.

In order to be a part of the program, recruits are required to complete an application process, and be accepted as one of only 26 in a platoon. Applications are accepted for two platoons a year, which form in February and August. Recruits experience a nine-week training program that includes learning about U.S. and Marine Corps history, and basic first-aid and survival skills. Recruits graduate upon completion of the nine-weeks, and then become a part of a company.

While weekly drills and special events are an important part of the program, giving service to the community is also high on the list of priorities. “Our young marines fulfill fifty hours of community service per year. This might include spending time with veterans, working at a local food bank or serving a meal at a homeless shelter,” Mungovan says.

Once recruits officially graduate, they can don their official fatigue uniforms and participate in such activities as an annual campout. This year’s outing took place this fall at Bradford Woods in southern Indiana. “We go into the field once a year. Throughout the year we teach a map and compass course and first aid training, so we combine it all in one final exercise,” Mungovan says.

Young marines tend to a simulated plane crash victim at Bradford Woods this summer.

During this most recent outing, the kids were given coordinates in order to go find a fictional plane crash and casualties. “The kids had to go find the casualties, bring them back using their first aid skills, and communicate successfully on the radio in order to make it all happen,” Mungovan said. “It was a fun way for the kids to experience what they’ve learned,” he says.

“I would recommend the program to anyone,” says Carmel resident David Hughes, whose 11-year-old son Luke just graduated Nov. 19 from his initial nine-weeks of training. “My son is now more disciplined, he pays more attention to neatness, and he is really getting interested in American history,” he says.

Luke, who admits he was a little apprehensive about the program initially, has enjoyed the process. “I was a little scared at first,” he said. “But after awhile I got used to it. As the weeks went by, I wasn’t as nervous and I really like it now.”

The physical challenges have been one of the most appealing aspects of the program for Luke. “They really encourage you to get fit. I can run a mile at a time, and I do push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and stretches. It makes you feel good,” he said.

“They also teach survival skills,” Luke adds. “Like what to do if you’re out in the middle of nowhere in bad weather. I feel like I’ve learned more about discipline and about how to be nice to my parents. I’m also more organized, which is nice,” he says. For more information about CIYM, visit www.ciym.net.