ANCHOR DIVISION SEA CADETS
What is Sea Cadets?
The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) is a federally-chartered non-profit youth organization for young people, ages 10 through the completion of high school. USNSCC is comprised of two programs. Our senior program, the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC), is for young people, ages 13 through the completion of high school. Our junior program, the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC), is for young people, ages 10 through 13. 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.
WHY Sea Cadets?
The wearing of U.S. Navy uniforms (modified with USNSCC patches) and hands-on, exciting training aboard U.S. Navy/Coast Guard ships and shore stations make us unique among all other youth programs. Cadets have regular opportunities to train with Active Duty and Reserve military personnel. With close cooperation with all branches of the sea services, we offer demanding and rigorous training designed to prepare youth for all walks of life, whether they choose to pursue military service or civilian life. We are sponsored by the Navy League of the United States and supported by both the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. Our individual units are sponsored by their local Navy League councils and/or by other local organizations.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
USNSCC engenders among its participants the value of an alcohol-free, drug-free and gang-free lifestyle. Through exposure to a unique team-centric, objective-based environment, cadets learn to demand the best from themselves and others. The program also provides quantifiable benefits to its cadets. Cadets who enlist in the armed services are often eligible for military advanced pay grade programs (up to two grades in some services). This means that a cadet who enlists in the Navy may be eligible for a higher rank and pay than his or her non-cadet counterparts. Being a cadet can also help individuals become more competitive for certain programs. More than 10 percent of the midshipmen in the most recent entering class at the U.S. Naval Academy were former cadets, a figure consistent over the past decade. The program provides cadets with not only the motivation and encouragement to pursue their goals, but also concrete assistance in achieving them. Annually, 17 different scholarship funds are awarded to exceptional cadets who wish to pursue a college education.
life of a sea cadet
Honor, Courage, Commitment is the Navy’s motto and adult volunteers strive to teach these ideals, along with practical naval knowledge. Cadets meet or "drill" at their local unit weekly or monthly throughout the year. A unit is structured along military lines and is headed by a Commanding Officer. During these drills, Cadets are trained in nautical skills such as knot tying and splicing, signaling, water safety and swimming, first aid, and even firefighting. They are instructed in military drill and discipline and are taught from a syllabus covering naval history to ship nomenclature. Cadets also tour ships and bases and participate in community events such as parades and fairs. The organization has one main purpose, and that is to foster teamwork, camaraderie and an understanding of the military command structure. During summer and winter school breaks, Cadets may participate in advanced or special trainings covering a diverse range of interests. Some examples include: Photojournalism, Leadership, Sailing, Field Ops, Aviation, Culinary Arts, Fire Fighting, Marksmanship, Music and even SEAL Training to name just a few. For those interested in furthering their education, there are internships at Naval or the Coast Guard Academies available.