LEWISTON – The U.S. Army Cadet Corps is coming to Maine. The corps is a brigade of the American Cadet Alliance, America’s oldest nationwide cadet corps open to young people interested in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps. Cadet applicants must be crime free, drug free, physically fit and approved by their school.

The U.S. Army Cadet Corps has openings for a limited number of young people age 12 to 17 in Lewiston. An orientation program for potential recruits and parents will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at Lewiston High School. The evening will include a video presentation, a question-and-answer period and an opportunity to schedule an interview for enrollment.

The Military Cadets of Maine will hold a Thursday evening training and a weekend drill a month at Lewiston High School. The program is managed by nonpaid professionals dedicated to instilling the core values of honor, courage and commitment.

Training for the next year will include rappelling, marksmanship, survival training, martial arts and self-defense, field training and ceremony and drill.

Travel experiences are also part of the program with planned trips to Washington, D.C., West Point, Annapolis and the Coast Guard Academy. The Maine unit will host an annual military ball and dining in. The Army Cadets has its own color guard, drill team and honor guard. Each year, the American Cadet Alliance holds annual training at a major military post.

Military Cadets wear specially modified uniforms and can participate in a multitude of advanced training and counterpart training experiences with members of the armed forces. Cadets have the opportunity to advance in grade and receive awards and recognition as they learn new skills and demonstrate their proficiency level.

Annual training is being held at Camp Atterbury outside Indianapolis, Ind., this year.

Adult volunteers, with or without military experience, who have a desire to work with young persons are needed to allow the American Cadet Alliance to grow. Those with military, administrative and fundraising skills are especially needed. Interested adults are encouraged to visit on May 22.

To receive an information packet, contact the unit recruiting hotline at 212-4473. For more information on the American Cadet Alliance, go to www.militarycadets.org.