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Training
the future leaders
of
our fleet
Naval Sea Cadet
adult leaders (commissioned and warrant officers, midshipmen and instructors)
are all unpaid volunteers. Some are former, retired or current active
duty sailors, Marines, & Coast Guardsmen; or civlians with prior military
or seagoing experience.
For those of us who
served our nation in the Sea Services, this is a great opportunity to serve
our communities and pass-on America's seagoing heritage and traditions;
impressing the importance of seapower to future generations. |
Adult leaders -- the backbone
of the Sea Cadet program
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Sea
Cadets 101
(continued)...
A Sea Cadet color guard prepares
for a parade at
NAVSTA Roosevelt Roads, PR
A Sea Cadet in Marine Corps
camouflage sights-in
his M16A2 rifle during weapons
familiarization training
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Sea Cadet units
are divided into three distinct communities:
- Surface Unit
(ships, shore stations & submarines)
- Aviation Squadron
- Construction
Battalion (Seabees)
Sea Cadets are authorized
by the Department of the Navy (DoN) to wear the same uniforms as active
duty enlisted sailors (dungarees, service dress blue & white jumpers,
tropical white long uniform, winter working blue, submarine coveralls &
Marine Corps camouflage) with modifications to separate them from active
forces. All cadet uniforms have specialized sleeve markings for national
and local unit identification & their rate.
Also, all Sea Cadet
officers, midshipmen & instructors are authorized to wear modified
naval officer/CPO uniforms (working khaki, tropical white, tropical dress
white {"chokers"},submarine coveralls, winter working blue & service
dress blue) with NSCC officer sleeve badges, collar and cover devices and
rank shoulder boards.
Like the active forces,
Sea Cadets & officers earn and wear award ribbons. These are
given for marksmanship, attendance, citizenship, recruiting, community
service and heroism. NSCC officers, midshipmen & instructors
who are active duty, retired or former active duty are authorized by DoN
to wear their military ribbons & devices on their uniforms, in addition
to any NSCC awards they may earn.
Both cadets &
officers are issued NSCC ID cards that serve as proof of membership in
the organization and authorize extremely limited exchange (PX / BX / NEX
/ CGES / MCX) privileges during their two week annual drill, if aboard
an installation or ship. |
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It's
not ALL spit 'n polish...
Like military reservists,
cadets attend drills (which can be held on school nights or weekends).
During their drill cadets might "shadow" active duty or reserve sailors,
Coast Guardsmen and Marines at their jobs. Some even assist in non-critical
maintenance of equipment.
They might visit
historical sites, tour active ships & shore stations; or take classes
in basic seamanship, firefighting and damage control, watchstanding, honors
& ceremonies and close-order drill.
Cadet units are also
given regular opportunities compete against other units and youth groups
in sports or seamanship skills (called "Flagship Competition").
During Flagship, units compete for regional trophies and guidon streamers
in infantry drill, firefighting, line handling and rescue.
A cadet unit has
planned recreational activities at least once a month; such as bowling,
softball, adventure training, weekend campouts, barbecues, dances and formal
functions. Units also do their own fundraising for special projects
or equipment needs and help their local communities.
A somber time as cadets visit the
USS Arizona Memorial at
NAVSTA Pearl Harbor
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Learning the ins & outs of
an F/A-18 Hornet
Touring the battleship Alabama
All smiles after a romp thru
the obstacle course!
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Opportunities
galore!
Like
their active duty and reserve counterparts, Sea Cadets can attend specialized
two-week training courses during their spring or summer breaks from school.
These include:
Recruit Training
(NSCC Boot Camp)
Held at various locations during the spring and summer school breaks.
Cadets are required to attend boot camp within their first year of joining
their local unit. |
SEAL Indoctrination Training (male cadets only)
Held at Naval Amphibious Base, San Diego. No warfare skills are
taught, but cadets endure a modified BUD/S "Hell Week" phase by Navy SEAL
instructors. |
Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA)
Cadet petty officers are taught leadership skills to help their units
and themselves. |
School of Music
Musically-talented cadets receive training from some of the military's
finest musicians. Skills include field marching and concert performances. |
At-sea training
Selected cadets deploy aboard USCG icebreakers, NOAA research vessels
and Military Sealift Command ships. An officer or senior enlisted
aboard the ship proctors the cadets' schoolwork while at-sea. |
Airman School
Cadets interested in military aviation learn the basics of aircraft
handling, adminstration and maintenance |
Submarine School
The basics of submarine operations and damage control are taught to
selected cadets. |
International Exchange
Officers and cadets get the opportunity to travel overseas to drill
with host sea cadet units in the UK, Canada and Bermuda. |
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