Upon joining the Emerald Coast Young Marines, youth undergo a minimum of 26-hours orientation program, spread out over several meetings.  This orientation program is affectionately called "Recruit Training."  The Young Marine "Recruit Training" does not resemble the U.S. Marine Corps' boot camp, nor does it instruct weapons or combat skills training, but instead the youth learn general subjects such as history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness, along with military rank structure.