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1. What is the U.S.
Naval Sea Cadet Corps?
2. How old must I
be to join the Sea Cadets?
3. What are the
requirements of membership?
4. What about medical exams?
5. Will I have to pay dues?
6. Must I buy my own uniform?
7. Will Sea Cadet training detract
from my school work?
8. What do the Sea Cadets learn?
9. What are my
chances for promotion?
10. Who sponsors the Sea Cadets?
11. Who instructs the Sea Cadets?
12. Can I go to boot camp in the
summer?
13. Are Sea Cadets permitted to go to
sea?
14. What training is available aboard
ship?
15. Are there advanced training
courses for Sea Cadets?
16. Are there travel opportunities?
17. How are Sea Cadets selected for
the Exchange Program?
18. Can Sea Cadets obtain summer
employment?
19. Will I be required to join the
U.S. Armed Forces?
20. What is the main purpose of Sea
Cadet training?
1. What is the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps?
The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a youth program for
young Americans male and female, ages 13 through 18, whose objectives
are to develop an interest and skill in basic seamanship and its naval
adaptations, to train them in sea going skills and to teach them
patriotism, courage, self-reliance and kindred virtues. Cadets train
aboard the ships and shore activities of the Navy and Coast Guard, and
are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to wear Navy uniforms
appropriately marked with Naval Sea Cadet Corps insignia. There are some
300 units in operation in almost every state of the union as well as
Puerto Rico and Guam, with almost 10,000 young Americans participating.
The Naval Sea Cadet Corp affords equal opportunity for participation to
all American youth without regard to race, color, religion or sex.
2. How old must I be to join the Sea Cadets?
You are eligible to join if you are 13
years of age or have not competed your senior year of high school.
3. What are the requirements of membership?
All prospective cadets must be
unmarried, enrolled in school, be a citizen, have parental consent and
possess good moral character in addition to being interested in the
program and be prepared to attend the drills regularly.
4. What about medical exams?
Applicants must successfully pass a
basic physical examination very similar to that required of a regular
Navy enlistee.
5. Will I have to pay dues?
Yes. The enrollment fee is presently
$55.00 per year and includes premiums paid toward Sea Cadet Group
Accident and Health Protection Plan.
6. Must I buy my own uniform?
Surplus uniforms are made available to the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and are
in turn issued to cadets at no cost. Cadets may purchase uniform items
through the Navy Exchange Uniform Shop, but all their essential uniform
needs will be issued by Cleveland Division.
7. Will Sea Cadet training detract from my school work?
Not likely. Cleveland Division only
drills two days a month, the Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend of
each month at the Marine Safety Unit on East 9th. Drill
dates are posted in the POD (Plan of the Day) on the website. On
occasion events will arise during the month, but these are usually not
mandatory. Sea Cadet drills are designed to supplement your schoolwork,
and advanced trainings away from home are conducted almost exclusively
during periods of school vacations.
8. What do the Sea Cadets learn?
They study a broad range of subjects.
Some are designed to help them to become better adult citizens, others
teach them the importance of strong maritime forces. They also study
naval history, customs and traditions, seamanship, navigation and
similar subjects which could help their chances for a promotion should
they decide to join one of the sea services, either the US Navy, US
Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, or US-flagged Merchant Marine.
9. What are my chances for promotion?
Promotions within the Sea Cadets are
based upon merit. Promising young men and women, upon filling certain
qualifications and requirements, are given command positions and
encouraged to develop qualities of leadership.
10. Who sponsors the Sea Cadets?
Most Sea Cadet units are sponsored by
individual Councils of the Navy League of the United States, a nonprofit
organization of U.S. citizens whose objective is to support the U.S.
maritime services and who are deeply interested in the welfare of young
Americans.
11. Who instructs the Sea Cadets?
Sea
Cadets are instructed by naval personnel (active, reserve, and retired),
by Senior Cadets and by other adult leaders willing to devote their time
and knowledge to this activity.
12. Can I go to boot camp this summer?
Yes. Newly enrolled Sea Cadets are
required to attend two weeks of summer recruit training at military
"boot camps" throughout the country. Having successfully completed
recruit training, cadets participate in additional training in advanced
subjects during succeeding summers. These two-week training periods
offer a varied program of activities in addition to valuable instruction
of a maritime and military nature.
13. Are Sea Cadets permitted to go to
sea?
Yes. After completing recruit training
and other required courses of instruction, many Sea Cadets can
participate in advanced training aboard Navy and Coast Guard vessels
ranging from small harbor craft and patrol boats to large nuclear
powered aircraft carriers and Coast Guard cutters.
14. What training is available aboard ship?
Sea Cadets are trained in basic
seamanship, damage control, watch standing, fire fighting and a wide
variety of other skills and concepts, depending on the type of ship.
15. Are there advanced training courses for Sea Cadets?
Yes. In addition to advanced training
aboard naval vessels, Sea Cadets may attend advanced orientation courses
such as Airman School, DoD Music School, Seabee schools, Medical
training, SEAL Team, Submarine Orientation and other courses designed to
prepare cadets for leadership, either within the Sea Cadet organization
or in other fields.
16. Are there travel opportunities?
Yes. Sea Cadets travel to training
sights all over the country during the summer training period.
Additionally, outstanding cadets are selected to participate in the
U.S.-Canadian Sea Cadet Exchange Program in Nova Scotia and British
Columbia, as well as other countries in Europe and Asia, including
England, Sweden, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, South
Africa, and South Korea.
17. How are Sea Cadets selected for the Exchange Program?
Exchange cadets are selected on a
merit basis. Each cadet must have an outstanding record as well as a
good reputation within his/her home community and unit.
18. Can Sea Cadets obtain summer employment?
Yes. Sea Cadets are permitted to
choose a training period during the summer months that will not
interfere with summer employment arrangements.
19. Will I be required to join the U.S. Armed Forces?
No. Sea Cadets have absolutely no
commitment regarding future military service. For those Sea Cadets who
do decide to enlist in the Navy or Coast Guard, prior Sea Cadet training
may permit entry at an advanced pay grade.
20. What is the main purpose of Sea
Cadet training?
While Sea Cadet units are organized
along military lines, their main purpose is to foster good citizenship,
self-reliance and discipline, a sense of pride and teamwork, and an
interest and appreciation of our nation's maritime services: The Navy,
Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine.
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