Q  What is the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps?

• The US Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) is a youth leadership development program sponsored by the US Navy, USMC, and US Coast Guard. We direct young Americans in the development of various skills, knowledge, and confidence through an amazing variety of training opportunities.  Sea Cadets wear uniforms, work as teams in a disciplined environment, and adhere to our core values of honor, respect, commitment, and service.

Q  What are the age requirements?

• Youths ages 10 - 13 years old are eligible to join as a League Cadet.

• Youths ages 13 - Senior in High School are eligible to join as a Sea Cadet 

Q  What are the Enrollment requirements?

• Cadets must be a US Citizen or permanent legal resident

• Cadets must be enrolled full time in a school (Home School students are welcomed and encouraged!) and maintain good standing (C average or equivalent)

• Cadets must possess good moral character, must be unmarried, cannot be pregnant, must be alcohol and drug free, cannot be part of a gang or criminal organization, and have no criminal record. 

• Cadets must agree to and abide by the USNSCC Code of Conduct, Grooming Standards, and Physical Standards 

Q  What is the difference between a League Cadet and Sea Cadet? 

• League Cadets is our junior cadet program consisting of youths between the ages of 10 - 13 years old. The League Cadet program introduces our cadets to the basics of Navy and military lifestyle and the basics military requirements, regulations, uniforms, marching and drill, physical training, and everything they will need to know to succeed in the program and later on as Sea Cadets. 

• Sea Cadets is our senior program consisting of youths ages 13 - Senior in High School. Sea Cadets train in more advanced military requirements, drill techniques, and more challenging physical training. They learn basic and advanced leadership skills and take active roles in leading the routine drills and events of the Battalion. Higher ranking Sea Cadets are also eligible for challenging Advanced Training events including Petty Officer Leadership Academy, NSCC Foreign Exchange Training Program, and the Senior Leadership Academy. 

Q  What if my cadet is 13 years old, which program will they start in? 

• This depends on a few factors. Typically if they do not have any experience with the military lifestyle we will place new cadets into the League Cadet program to allow them to learn the basics they will need to succeed as Sea Cadets. However, if the new cadet can display either sufficient knowledge or that they are mature enough that it wouldn't benefit the cadet to place them with the younger group they may start out as a Sea Cadet. Our staff will interview the new cadet and discus with them and the parent which is the best route for the new cadet and the Commanding Officer will make the final decision. All League Cadets will advanced (Fleet Up) to the Sea Cadet program when they turn 14 years old however. 

Q  What are the time requirements involved? 

• We conduct two Drills each month (second and fourth Saturday of the month) throughout the year that are scheduled from 0745 - 1530 (7:45am - 3:30pm). Drills are mandatory attendance events and cadets are required to maintain a minimum 80% attendance rating to remain in the Sea Cadets. Absence from a Drill must be requested by the cadet and approved by the Executive Officer or Commanding Officer. 

• Our Battalion performs Community Service Events for the local communities and military commands. Community service events are optional attendance events that do not count against the cadets 80% drill attendance standing. However, participation in these events are highly encouraged as they contribute to cadet awards and their selection for both leadership positions and selection for participation in Special Events. 

• Our Battalion participates in Special Events for various organizations including the US Navy Birthday Ball, US Navy Submarine Ball, Navy League American Patriots Awards, and many others. Special Events are unique opportunities for cadets to participate in a formal event, often even as guests. Special Events are privileged participation and have limited spots. Because of this, cadets are selected based on their overall attendance, performance, and dedication shown during Drills and Community Service Events. 

• Advanced Training Events are 5-14 day training events that focus on specific training topics (SCUBA, Medicine, Self-Defense, etc). All League Cadets and Sea Cadets will be required to participate in an introductory Advanced Trainer (League Cadet Orientation & Sea Cadet Recruit Training) during the summer. After that, Advanced Trainers will be optional for League Cadets, however, Sea Cadets will be required to complete an Advanced Trainer to advanced to each rank. Advanced Trainers are mostly conducted during summer months and occasionally during the Fall, Winter, and Spring school break periods.

Q  What are the expenses involved? 

• Initial Annual Enrollment is $200.00 per cadet. 

• Annual enrollment renewal fees are $150.00 per cadet. 

• Enrollment fees include the NSCC liability insurance, program administration fees, basic training expenses, and Initial Uniform Issue*.
  
  *Uniform items are donated to our Battalion. Some uniform items may not be available in your cadet's specific size and will need to be purchased by the parents. Unit staff can help parents with access to the JBPHH Uniform Shop upon request. 

Q  What other expenses are involved? 

• Uniform replacement fees for uniform items that are lost or damaged by the cadet. 

• Advanced Trainer registration fees (usually between $150 - $250 depending on the length and complexity of the training). Expect for your Sea Cadet to perform these once or twice a year.

Q  Will my cadet be required to wear a uniform? 

• Yes! As an official US Navy sponsored program our Sea Cadets are authorized to wear the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) as our normal Drill uniform in accordance with OPNAVINST 5760.5D. Sea Cadets are authorized to wear the US Navy Enlisted Dress White Uniform a while League Cadets wear an alternate service uniform for their dress uniform. All Navy uniform items are modified to include US Naval Sea Cadet Corps patches and insignia to distinguish our cadets as Sea Cadets and League Cadets. All uniform items issued by the Battalion are Battalion property and must be returned if a cadet chooses to no longer participate. 

Q  Can my cadet participate in other activities and still be a Sea Cadet? 

• YES! The purpose of our program is to develop Leaders of Character! We believe that in order to be a well developed leader, one needs to be well rounded. Because of this we encourage our cadets to pursue other extra curricular activities. If a cadet has another event that conflicts with a scheduled Drill, they will need to send a request to be excused from that Drill with an explanation of the importance of their alternate event (parents must also communicate with staff to confirm). If their absence is approved by the Executive Officer or Commanding Officer, they will be excused and their minimum attendance requirement will not be affected. We have many cadets that balance Sea Cadets with sports, other youth groups (JROTC, Scouts, etc), and church groups. 

Q  My cadet has a medical constraint of physical disability, can they still join? 

• YES! "No qualified person will be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination by the USNSCC simply because that person has a disability" - USNSCC Regulations Manual

• Parents will need to meet with the unit Commanding Officer to discuss their cadets disability, what accommodations may be needed, and if the unit can make reasonable accommodations for their cadet. 

Q  Does my cadet need to have all their immunizations to join? 

• Yes, all applicants and cadets must demonstrate compliance with the current recommended immunization scheduled issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• "In order to minimize the risk of transmitting communicable diseases within the tight, shared living conditions at most USNSCC training evolutions, and in light of the possible presence of immunocompromised individuals enrolled pursuant to an approved Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation, the USNSCC is unable to -- and will not -- grant waivers to this policy for personal, religious or other non-medical reasons" - USNSCC Administration Manual 

Q  Who will be training my cadet? 

• Our staff instructors consist of Active Duty, Reserve, and Retired military professionals from all branches of service. All of our instructors are volunteers who sacrifice and dedicate their time away from their families and in addition to their full times jobs and other obligations to ensure that our cadets receive high quality training and leadership development. They do not receive payment or reimbursement for their time and service to the program. Please keep this in mind and respect our staff's time and boundaries. 

• All staff members are fully enrolled volunteers, perform annual background checks, and complete required training on the USNSCC policies and regulations, youth training requirements, and child safety. 

• All staff members are highly trained professionals in their fields and choose to give up their time to train and mentor your cadet. We are not babysitters, please respect this. 

Q  What are the steps to enroll my cadet? 

• Complete our Information Request and we will get in contact with you as soon as possible.

• Schedule a meet and greet with our staff and/or schedule for your cadet to Shadow a Drill. 

• Make a commitment and decide to enroll! 

• Complete our Enrollment Package (contact our staff to provide) 

• Schedule a meeting with our staff to process your Enrollment Package and get fitted for uniforms

• Show up at the next scheduled Drill ready and motivated! 

Q  What is required to complete the Enrollment Package? 

• Initial Enrollment Fee of $200.00 per cadet

• Complete the Cadet Application (provided by staff in the Enrollment Package)

• Complete a Medical Exam (similar to a sports physical, schedule this as soon as possible to complete enrollment).

• Provide proof of medical insurance for cadet (copy of insurance card)

• Provide proof of US Citizenship (birth certificate, passport) 

• Provide a copy of your cadet's updated immunization record 

• Provide proof of full time student enrollment (report card, statement from educational organization) 

Q  Is sponsorship available if we can't afford some items? 

• Sponsorship may be available based on a family's financial need and circumstances. Sponsorship options include financial support to help pay for annual enrollment and Advanced Trainer fees and may be provided if requested and available by our sponsor organizations.