Copper State Young Marines of Prescott Valley Named Division 6 Young Marine Unit of the Year

Photo: Copper State Young Marines help out at Chino Valley Car Show

The Young Marines, a national youth organization, has named the Copper State Young Marines of Prescott Valley, Arizona as the Division 6 Unit of the Year, the top honor for the division that consists of 34 units in five states. This honor was awarded for the unit’s community service, program achievement, and dedication to the mission. The unit will now compete with five other units from across the country for the top honor, the National Unit of the Year.

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The organization promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members and focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so they can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

The National Unit of the Year will be selected at the Young Marines 2026 Awards Banquet on March 13, 2026, at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport—Herndon. The unit which began in January 2024, is led by Unit Commander Roger Rodriguez Jr. and has 38 youth members and 17 adult volunteers.

“The Copper State Young Marines exemplify our mission,” said Col. William P. Davis, USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. “Their commitment to service, leadership, and living drug-free is evident in everything they do. This unit sets the standard for excellence in Division 6, and they represent the very best of our organization and the communities we serve. “The Copper State Young Marines lead by example—through service, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.”

Photo: Copper State Young Marines attend Navajo Code Talkers Day in Window Rock, Arizona

Among their thousands of hours of community service were participation and support in numerous parades, color guards for many community and veterans’ appreciation events. These include the 2025 Marine Corps League Spring Conference; Wranglers football game opening; Elks Lodge Veterans Fishing Derby; Fort Whipple Housing Development groundbreaking ceremony; various car shows/booths; Tunnels to Towers ceremony, Elks Lodge Flag Day and Elks Veteran’s Park ceremonies; the Navajo Code Talkers memorial ceremony, parade and zoo clean up; Veteran suicide prevention run; 9/11 remembrance and tribute; Advanced Leadership School Roll and Stroll event; Yavapai Vets Stand down; Vets Matter golf tournament; Marine Corps Ball; several Toys for Tots events; Veteran Memorial service at Prescott VA; Wreaths Across America.

The unit has put significant efforts into their drug prevention and resistance (DDR) program, working to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Copper State Young Marines engaged in local outreach efforts, participated in educational events, and supported initiatives designed to prevent drug abuse and misuse among youth in the community.

Asked what makes his involvement rewarding, Rodriguez said, “I find joy in so many aspects of the Young Marines program, but the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is the difference we make in these families’ lives as their youth progresses through the program. There’s nothing more rewarding than shaping a shy, unsure, or behaviorally challenged youth into someone who is confident, responsible, respectful and who develops healthy self-esteem. They become mentors and leaders themselves.  Hearing parents tell us they can see a positive change in their child at home and school is rewarding and these changes stick…. They stay with them for life! I also take pride in introducing our Young Marines to the veteran community, giving them opportunities to learn from veterans’ experiences and stories. These interactions, combined with the lessons and training provided by the Young Marines program, help teach our youth important military customs.”

For more information about the Copper State Young Marines, visit the website at https://members.youngmarines.org/unit/copperstate/page

 Young Marines History

Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 200 units with over 5,000 youth and 1,950 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan (Okinawa), and affiliates in a host of other countries.

For more information on the Young Marines, visit the website at https://www.YoungMarines.org.