The Miami Valley Young Marines is celebrating its 10 year in the Dayton area. The unit was formed in late 1998 as the Dayton Young Marines. The first meeting place was the Marine Reserve Center on Gettysburg Ave in Dayton . The first class numbered 42 recruits and graduated 35. The first Commanding Officer was SSgt James Ballantine.

A change in Commanding Officers occurred during the summer of 1999, when due to a personal issue SSgt Ballantine was replaced by CMSgt John Bankowitz.

The unit participated in many community events including Color Guard presentations, parades, and unit encampments.

Sept 11, 2001 was a defining moment in the Dayton Young Marines. The Marine Reserve Center went into lock down as a result of the attack on our country, and we were barred from meeting at that location. The unit moved to the Dayton VA center doing limited training. At the Nov 2001 Marine Corps Ball, Young Marines participated in the birthday ceremony by enacting the flag rising at Iwo Jima . Father Samone from St.Peter’s church was approached by Mr. Joseph Able, a staff member, and asked if he could asset in finding a proper meeting location. Father, retired LtCol, USMC, welcomed our unit. In early January 2002 the unit moved into St.Peter’s Church and started conducting meetings and boot camps.

During the summer of 2002, the staff and Young Marines felt that our unit name, Dayton Young Marines, limited who could join. All believed that changing our name would bring in all youth from the surrounding Dayton area. A name change request was made to National. National approved our request and we became the Miami Valley Young Marines.

In 2003 we participated in a unit encampment to Parris Island SC. Young Marines endured four days of Marine boot camp by seasoned DI’s. The trip was very successful and all enjoyed the experiences.

In 2004 the unit went to Quantico VA. Young Marines and staff stayed at Camp Upshur . Activities included three days on site seeing in the nation’s capital. Base activities centered on tours including HMX-1, working war dogs and a river assault craft ride.


During this time CMSgt John Bankowitz stepped down at commanding officer and L/Cpl James Keagan Miller assumed command. The unit numbered 120 Young Marines and staff.

During the years since the unit has made great strides in establishing itself as a premier youth organization.

For more information, please visit the Nattional Young Marines web site at: http://www.youngmarines.com/