1. What is United States Military Cadets, Inc.?
2. What are the qualifications to be an Enlisted Member?
3. What are the requirements to be an USMC-PR Commisioned Officer?
4. Is the USMC-PR part of the United States Government or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico?
5. Is there some kind of central summer Training?
6. Where is my nearest unit?
7. What if there is not a unit near me?
8. Any questions? Check our Ask a Question Form here!

The United States Military Cadets (USMC-PR) is a military youth program patterned closely after the United States Army.  Formed (and registered at the Puerto Rico's State Department) in 1991, USMC-PR is the longest-serving private military youth program in Puerto Rico. The program is managed and operated by non-paid professional adult officers and instructors who are assigned to each one of our units (companies).

Our mission is to erradicate youth delinquency by providing our members activities and trainings under a military-style enviroment.  Also, our organization's secondary mission is to assist goverment agencies and the community in the eventuality of a natural disaster and/or national emergency.  We usually practice each Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (varies from unit to unit).

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To be eligible to be a member/cadet of USMC-PR, you must:

1. Have your parents' or tutors' written permission to enroll in our program.
2. Attend school full-time (home schooling is acceptable) and be earning passing grades.
3. Age 10 or older, or in the 4th grade.  Waivers available for members 7-9 years old.
4. Have available all saturdays from 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.

To be eligible to be a commisioned officer and/or instructor of USMC-PR, you must possess background, skills, or motivation which would be of value in the training and leadership of young people and:

1. Be free of felony conviction (Must have a Good Conduct Certificate from the PR Police).
2. Pass a qualifying physical fitness training (18-35 years old).
3. Complete a comprehensive background check to ensure suitability to work with young people.
4. Military or Cadet experience is preferred for commisioned officer status, but it is not a requirement to participate in our program.  Instructors must have verificable trainings and/or courses approved.

No.  The USMC-PR is an independent Military Youth Program (M.Y.P.), closely patterned after the United States Army, but not controlled or funded by the United States government nor the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  USMC-PR has been designated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and as a Service Educational Activity (SEA) of special interest to the Department of Defense.

The Department of Defense has published directives and instructions that direct the Armed Forces to support, to the extent as may be possible, Nationally Organized Youth Groups (also called Military Youth Programs).  Each branch of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard are guided by these policies, and in turn, each has issued regulations which provide local Commanders with guidance and the necessary authority to provide such support.  This support varies form service-to-service, and may include: training aids and manuals, permissive no-cost orders for active military personnel participating in cadet activities, and facility utilization for training.

This guidance and authority is published in the following:

1. U.S. Navy in OPNAVINST 5760.5B
2. U.S. Marine Corps in SECNAVINST 5720.44A
3. U.S. Army in Army Regulations 360-61, 210-1, 28-19 and 725-1
4. U.S. Air Force in AF Regulation 190-1, Public Affairs
5. U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Manual, COMDTINST M5728.2A

No.  USMC-PR has long offered both Initial Entry Training (I.E.T.) and Advanced Individual Trainings (A.I.T.) to its members at their parent units.  A.I.T. is offered in first aid and search and rescue; public security; communications; computer programs; marksmanship and competitive marksmanship; orienteering skills and adventure training; and leadership and member handling.

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USMC-PR is a relatively small organization in comparison to other similar cadet programs.  At this moment, we have 5 companies and 2 associated organizations throughout Puerto Rico (although we have associations with similar organizations through the United States).  To receive the name and phone number of the point of contact or the physical address for your closest unit and/or affiliated organization, please leave an email to USMC-PR Headquarters.  You'll be contacted within three days.  Our active units at this moment are (more units and affiliated organizations are in the works, so keep checking for more details):

1. Headquarters HQ Company (Det.) - San Juan, Puerto Rico
2. Alpha Company - Sabana Abajo, Carolina, Puerto Rico
3. Bravo Company - Residencial Luis Llorens Torres, San Juan, Puerto Rico
4. Charlie Company - Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (soon to be open!)
5. Delta Company (Det.) - Gurabo, Puerto Rico (soon to be open!)
6. Caribbean Cadets Academy (affiliated) - Canóvanas, Puerto Rico
7. Caribbean Cadets Academy (affiliated) - Carolina, Puerto Rico

Members and officers who are not located near an established unit or affiliated program are eligible to join the USMC-PR's Individual Training Company (ITC) located at the Headquarters HQ Company (Det).

As a member of the ITC, members and officers are entitled to the following privileges:

1. Enrollment in one of our companies and the issuance of an USMC-PR Identification card entitling the member to participate in all USMC-PR activities and priviligies.
2. Enrollment in extension courses and/or correspondence courses which permit the member to learn from the USMC-PR curriculum without actively attending weekly or monthly drills. (Members of the ITC MUST attend the Initial Entry Training (I.E.T.) and Advanced Individual Training (A.I.T.) programs -given at several companies- in order to augment the USMC-PR curriculum and remain a member of the ITC).
3. Upon completion of initial entry training, ITC members are eligible to wear both the dress and work uniform. They are then eligible to participate in further advanced trainings and activities.
4. Receive the organization's monthly newsletter, USMC-PR News, to keep advised of all USMC-PR activities.

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