The organization was founded in 1959 in my hometown. In fact, the founding organization had its meetings in my grammar school, a block from my home.
My Dad was in the Marine Corps during World War II and as a result, he knew some of the local Marines who were founders of the Young Marines. I don't recall if he approached his Marine buddies about me joining the Young Marines or if his Marine buddies recruited me.
In either case, I was a Young Marine for a year or two and it was a very bad fit. I never graduated through the ranks, was denied some of the group's privileges and suffered psychological abuse from some of the adults running the organization.
I never mentioned these issues to my parents because I assumed that I was at fault ― that I was a bad Young Marine and deserved the treatment I received. I eventually stopped going to meetings and my parents never reacted to my being AWOL.
In retrospect, I believe that I assumed correctly, that is, I was at fault ― not because I was a bad Young Marine, but because I was a feminine Young Marine. The adults running the organization probably thought I was gay, so they did their best to make me feel so uncomfortable that I would quit. And they succeeded.
The Girl Scouts would have probably been a better fit for me, but back then, they didn’t want me either.
Wearing Tibi top, Piamita trousers, Dannijo earrings,
Jennifer Behr headband and Giuseppe Zanotti pumps.
Paolo Ballesteros, femulating and masculating.
