Sea Cadet Program
Abstract
The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) is an independent, federally chartered nonprofit youth development organization established in 1958 by the Navy League of the United States (NLUS) at the request of the Department of the Navy. The National Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA) provides programmatic funding in addition to baseline funding provided by Navy Recruiting Command. Funding is approved and made available through a grant from Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center (FLC), San Diego, California. The USNSCC program consists of young men and women in two age groups, the Naval Sea Cadet Corps for ages of 13 to the completion of high school, and the Navy League Cadet Corps for ages ten to 13. USNSCC provides a drug-free, alcohol-free, tobacco-free, and gang-free environment that benefits both the Navy and our nation’s youth. The program supports thousands of cadets and adult volunteers in nearly 400 units nationwide, to include Puerto Rico and Guam. In close cooperation with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, the USNSCC provides an opportunity for today’s youth to learn maritime subjects and to sample military life and career fields. The cadets gain an appreciation for and receive instruction in U.S. Naval history, customs and traditions, leadership and ethics principles, military drill, water safety and boat safety, which help build a sense of patriotism, courage, self-reliance, commitment, confidence and pride in our nation. Through funding provided by the federal grant, USNSCC is able to offer an extensive summer and winter education and training program at a low cost to the cadet allowing participation from all economic backgrounds. Training consists of hundreds of separate opportunities to learn and work alongside Navy and Coast Guard professionals whose experience spans approximately fifty career fields. Cadets are also able to participate in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) initiatives such as Sea Perch, CyberPatriot, VEX Robotics, drone/quadcopters, and others. Training events are available in multiple fields, from aviation, construction, dive, food service, medical, legal, law enforcement, music, photojournalism, all the way to SWCC, EOD, and SEAL training. The USNSCC also offers opportunities for selected cadets to participate in a cadet exchange program with cadets from other nations as part of the International Sea Cadet Association (ISCA). Our capstone experience, the Senior Leadership Academy (SLA), is focused on bringing cadets together who have achieved the rate of Chief Petty Officer (CPO) to discuss and hone their practices in leadership and ethics with recognized experts in the field. Cadets receive regular training on hazing, harassment, and fraternization. Cadets are also given regular presentations about military and civilian career opportunities. As cadets advance in the program, they are required to attend leadership trainings, and most assume staff positions for the later part of the cadet career, learning leadership and self-reliance first-hand. The USNSCC program provides community awareness and visibility in areas with little Navy presence. The benefits of the Sea Cadet program are vast and include helping to meet recruiting goals of the Navy (250+ per year), recruiting cost savings to the Navy, quality U.S. Naval Academy inputs (every year dozens of former Sea Cadets are welcomed as part of the incoming class) and quality Navy recruits. Former Sea Cadets are well-prepared for the military service due to the training and experience they receive, and cadets who enlist typically adjust better to the rigors of military service. This results in significant savings for the Navy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 02, 2023
- Source ID
- N002442310001
Entities
People
- Andrew Lennon
Organizations
- United States Navy