The Military Explorers of the Inland Empire Post III is a 501c (3) Non-Profit leadership and career development program. The program is a military-oriented, high adventure, career pathway resource for young men and women from the ages of 12 - 20 years old (middle school to early college students).  The purpose of the program is to provide hands-on training, leadership development, and career exploration in order to assist young men and women in making a decision on whether to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. We do not require commitments to military service, and we are not a delinquency or a recruiting program. 

The Military Explorers of the Inland Empire has 5 main goals, and they are:

1. Develop an understanding of basic military subjects.

2. Instill leadership and put learning into practice.

3. Maintain a high level of physical fitness and wellness

4. Teach pathways for public service through military enlistment, ROTC, or civilian careers.

5. Identify the hundreds of career opportunities with service to our country and community.

Explorers learn to live by the Seven U.S. Army Values. These values are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage (LDRSHIP).  We further focus on the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Navy values as part of our Military Science curriculum as well. We include instruction in small-unit leadership, discipline, land navigation, first aid, survival skills, marksmanship, weapon safety, self-esteem, job interview skills, government and military history, drill & ceremonies, citizenship, college research and high school graduation preparation.  These experiences give the youth a realistic picture of the military life and thereby, provide them with a sense of awareness of the choice they have made.

The military organizational system is a critical part of the Explorer experience that offers them the chance to experience military life beyond what is normally available to them as civilians.  The Explorers leverage their experience, training and knowledge from their classes to further advance in rank and serve in leadership positions.  Cadet leaders play an important role in directing the program's operations and management.

Our unit training assemblies (UTA) are twice a month and consist of an accountability formation, a military science course, drill and ceremony instruction, physical training, platoon time and a final briefing prior to dismissal. Physical training is conducted in accordance with the US Army Physical Fitness test standards. Each Explorer is encouraged to do their best on their own with positive encouragement for motivation.  

Some of the offsite events Explorers are able to participate in are trips to Marine Corps Base - Camp Pendleton and the San Bernardino National Guard Armory for their Leadership School Courses, Basic Cadet Training, Leadership Development School, Explorer Basic and Advance Non-Commissioned Officer School, as well as Explorer Officer Candidate School (OCS), Field Training Exercises (FTX), land navigation, radio communications, infantry tactics, ruck marches, survival training, marksmanship schools, Community Emergency Response Team Certification as well as Combat Life Support Training, and many more. A training schedule is published internally within the Band App that all Explorers can access upon joining the battalion.

We encourage citizenship through participation in numerous community service events with veterans, our city and county as well as government agencies.  We work with the U.S. Army Future Soldier program and the 1-185th Infantry Regiment of the California Army National Guard. Our community service commitments range from Color Guards, Honor Guards, community event services, recruiting events and helping the local community in which we live.

Adults and parents are encouraged to become involved in the program by volunteering and chaperoning events. We have a Parent Advisory Council made of a group of appointed adults to assist in the oversight and operations of the program. 

Featured in the Highland Community Newspaper:

http://www.highlandnews.net/news/schools/military-explorers-brings-government-service-career-training-to-highland/article_8b17caac-cba1-11e5-b1fc-97a044fa4d00.html

Featured in the Inland Empire Community News: 

http://iecn.com/military-explorers-program-thrives-on-community-and-technical-experience/

Featured in the Valley News: 

https://myvalleynews.com/blog/2022/02/11/military-explorers-youth-program-branches-out/