The what and who about Naval Sea Cadets;
Who are the US Naval Sea Cadets?
Since 1958 the Naval Sea Cadet
Corps has been committed to providing American youth with a drug and
alcohol free environment to foster their leadership abilities,
broaden their horizons through hands-on training and guide them to
becoming mature young adults.
Sea Cadet organizations exist in most of the maritime nations of the
world. Recognizing the value of these organizations in educating
youth in maritime matters, the Department of the Navy requested the
Navy League of the United States to establish a similar program for
American youth. The Navy League agreed to do so and formally
established the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) and Navy League Cadet
Corps (NLCC) in 1958. Recognizing the importance and benefits of the
NSCC, Congress on September 10, 1962 federally incorporated the
Naval Sea Cadet Corps under Public Law 87-655 (36 USC 1541).
Today, the NSCC has formed partnerships with organizations such as
the Foundation for Teaching Economics and the Flying Midshipman
Association to offer cadets broader opportunities in areas of
leadership and aviation. The NSCC also took an active part in the
creation of the International Sea Cadet Association (ISCA). The ISCA
is an association of Sea Cadet Corps' from around the world, whose
main objective is to facilitate exchanges of cadets between member
countries.
What is the Purpose of the Program?
To help young Americans become
more patriotic and responsible citizens, and to help young Americans
understand the role of the maritime services in national defense and
in maintaining the economic viability of our nation.
Cadet training is based on the mission and objectives of both the
United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard. Our philosophy
is to instill the characteristics of Honor, Courage, and Patriotism.
We do this by offering a year-round training program that includes
classroom instruction, practical and hands-on training in basic
military requirements, seamanship, watch-standing, firefighting,
damage control, navigation, and military drill. The United States
Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a Federally chartered, non-profit
organization sponsored by the Navy League of the United States and
supported by the Department of the Navy. Sea Cadets are young people
ages 13 to 18, while Navy Leaguers are boys and girls ages 10 to 13.
Cadets and Adult Leaders are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy
to wear Navy uniforms, appropriately modified with the Naval Sea
Cadet Corps insignia. The Sea Cadet and League Cadet Corps programs
allow young people to sample military life without any obligation to
join any branch of the armed forces.
