United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Parent(s) and Prospective Cadet Questions and Answers Who are the Sea Cadets?
Team Spruance
We believe we are the best youth organization around. Our purpose is to build character, core values of respect, team work, self confidence, leadership, and most important of all to make the right choices in life that will guarantee each of them success. And yes, we do have a lot of fun doing it.
What do the Sea Cadets do?
The Sea Cadets are well respected throughout the Navy, Coast Guard, and the community. Sea Cadets are provided the opportunity to visit Naval and Coast Guard ships, bases and stations, provide color guards for community functions, and have the opportunity to do many other exciting experiences other youth only dream about. We encourage and aid American youth to develop an interest and skill in basic seamanship, and in its naval adaptations, to train them in seagoing skills, and teach them patriotism, courage, self reliance, and kindred virtues.
Our local staff instructors and senior cadets provide training on military and civilian subjects such as ship and aircraft identification, ranks and insignias, computer safety awareness and a host of other topics. Guest speakers, both civilian and military also provide educational training in first aid, boating safety, fire fighting, and many other interesting topics.
Are Sea Cadets obligated to join the military?
No. Our purpose is not to train recruits for the military. When training with the Navy, US Naval OPNAV INSTRUCTION 5760.5C (Navy Support and Assistance to Youth Groups) direct that “Active recruiting of members of youth groups shall not be undertaken while guests of the Navy”.
Who supports the Sea Cadets?
The Officers, Cadets, and Cadet Parents of Team Spruance are proud and grateful to receive the unit’s primary support from the generosity and hard work of the board of directors, officers, and membership of the Navy League of the United States – Fort Lauderdale Council.
Who runs the program and who is in charge of all of this?
There is a command structure that strictly adheres to the Naval Sea Cadets Corps Regulations and follows US Naval protocols and traditions.
The Commanding Officer down through the chain of command is comprised of a staff of very dedicated individuals who perform and oversee all aspects of the Spruance Division. From the administrative side that keep personnel and division records up to date, to training, operations, supply, medical, to the Parents Chairperson and Staff Advisor, to the Navy League Committee Chairman, all are here for the cadets.
No one gets paid or compensated, and many long hard hours are volunteered at times outside of our Saturday drills to insure that the cadets’ experience is complete in every respect.
How did the Sea Cadets get their start?
The NSCC was established by the Navy League of the United States in 1958 at the request of the Department of the Navy. The NSCC was well received and grew rapidly in both number of units and in the number of young people enrolled. In 1962, the NSCC was federally chartered by Congress under Public Law 87-655 as a non-profit civilian organization with specific objectives and purposes in regard to training of American boys, this training to be accomplished through organization and cooperation with the Department of the Navy. The law established the NSCC as a legal entity, separate from the Navy League, and set forth the corporate powers and other enabling details for the functioning of the NSCC. In 1974, Public Law 87-655 was amended by Public Law 93-504 to permit enrollment of girls in the Corps.
Who can join?
In order to join the Navy League Cadet Corps applicants must meet the following criteria:
· Be between the ages of 10 and 13.
· Must be a US Citizen.
· Be in good health and pass a qualifying physical examination.
· Be a full time student and maintain satisfactory grades (2.00 "C" grade point average).
· Be free of felony convictions.
In order to join the Naval Sea Cadet Corps applicants must meet the following criteria:
· Be between the ages of 14 and 17.
· Must be a US Citizen.
· Be in good health and pass a qualifying physical examination.
· Be a full time student and maintain satisfactory grades (2.00 "C" grade point average).
· Be free of felony convictions.
Download a New Cadet Enrollment Packet
In addition to the above, those cadets who exhibit extraordinary initiative and leadership ability may participate in annual exchanges with Sea Cadet Corps' around the world.
· Foreign Exchange Partners
o Australia
o Belgium
o Bermuda
o Canada
o Hong Kong
o Japan
o Netherlands
o Russia
o South Korea
o United Kingdom
The United States Naval Sea Cadets is a place for youth to be a part of knowing that it will be free of drugs and gangs. There is no bias towards race, religion, color, or ethnic background. The only color here is Navy Blue.
What attendance is required?
You are to maintain a minimum attendance of 75%.
Are any of the functions that Sea Cadets perform credited towards the 40 required hours of community service for high school graduation?
Yes. He or she will have several hundred hours of community service by graduation provided they attend the scheduled events planned by the command.
How do I advance in rank?
Once a new recruit is brought aboard you will never be left behind. When properly earned (as per regulations), you will advance in rank through your own hard work and determination, with the guidance, help, and leadership of your superiors. You are your own individual, but more importantly, you will be part of a close knit team that strives for success. As you advance in rank, you will be fostered into a leadership role to pass on your experience and knowledge by teaching the ones below you what you have learned in order to maintain the unit evolutionary cycle.
Can I attend any Naval Schools?
Yes. These are the Training Schools Available:
o Airman Training (Basic & Advanced)
o Air Traffic Control Training
o FAA Ground School
o Culinary Arts Training
o Medical Training (General, Field, Surgical & Dental Tech)
o Firefighting Training
o Photo Journalism Training
o Ceremonial Guard
o Submarine Seminar
o Marksmanship Training
o Construction Battalion (SEABEE) Training (Basic & Advanced)
o Mine Warfare Operations Training
o Music School
o Seal Team Training
o Explosive Ordinance Disposal Training
o Amphibious Training
o Petty Officer Leadership Academy
o Master-at-Arms Training (Military Police/Law)
o Judge Advocate General (JAG) Training
o Sailing School
o SCUBA School
o Seamanship Training
o Shipboard Training
Opportunities also include living aboard Navy and Coast Guard Ships and Shore Stations for two weeks.
How can I join?
As a prospective cadet, you must first attend 3 drills before being eligible to join. This will let he or she decide if they are suited for Sea Cadets or League Cadets. As per the USNSCC Regulations, “Cadet Applicants must take a physical examination to determine their fitness for entry into NSCC. This examination is to be conducted by a physician, military or civilian, with NSCC Medical Forms NSCADM 020 and NSCADM 021 used to record the results of the examination. The standard for acceptance is the ability of the applicant to fully participate in training activities.
The commanding officer, or a designated representative, must interview the parent(s)/guardian(s) of each cadet applicant to ensure their understanding of the goals and objectives of the NSCC, the nature of the training, and the need for their support in the conduct of training. They will be advised that participation in the NSCC is not a commitment to future enlistment in the armed forces.
Download a New Cadet Enrollment Packet
Is there any kind of scholarship program if I choose to go to college?
Yes. There are five separate scholarship programs, each established for the purpose of assisting cadets, and former cadets, in continuing their education at an accredited four year college/university. The individual programs are:
NSCC Scholarship Fund
NLUS Stockholm Scholarship Fund
San Diego Gas & Electric Scholarship Fund
Lewis A. Kingsley Foundation Scholarship Fund
NSCC Named Scholarship Program
For more information on scholarships or on the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Regulations, go to: http://resources.seacadets.org/nscc_regulations.html