"The Naval Sea Cadet Corps Needs You!"
By NSCC LCDR Patrick O’Brion. For SHIFT COLORS Home

There are ten thousand young men and woman across this country that wear the uniform of a Naval Sea Cadet looking for guidance and leadership of the caliber that only a retired military Officer, Petty Officer or NCO can provide. Many more young people throughout the United States will miss out on the opportunity to participate in this fine program simply because there is a lack of volunteers to provide the leadership and moral example that are the cornerstones of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC).

On September 10, 2002 the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps celebrated forty years of service to the young people of our nation. Public Law 87-655 enacted on that date in 1962, incorporated the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) under the direction and guidance of the Navy League of the United States reporting to the Secretary of the Navy, with the cooperation of the Department of the Navy. Today, Navy Recruiting Command is it’s Navy sponsor. The stated objective and purpose of the Sea Cadet Corps is to encourage and aid American Youth to develop an interest, and skills, in basic seamanship and its naval adaptations, to train them in seagoing skills, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues.

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is patterned after programs long in existence in England, Canada, The Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, India, Bermuda, and Japan. All operate with the same stated goals, and some are funded by and organized under the control of their respective Navies. The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps receives limited government funding, and is staffed by all volunteer officers and instructors (with the exception of an Executive Director and a small National Headquarters office staff). The NSCC is incorporated as a non-profit, tax-deductible youth program.

Over the last forty years the NSCC has steadily grown from its first unit of 48 cadets and 10 officers at Great Lakes, Illinois. Today the NSCC musters over 10,000 cadets and approximately 2,000 volunteer adults who serve as its’ officers and instructors. Naval Sea Cadet Units are throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam. The Corps is open to youth 11 through 17, who are passing in school, have no criminal record and are physically able to commit to the rigors of physical training.

After successfully completing a two- week recruit training, teaching Navy’s basic skills and discipline, a cadet may choose from a wide variety of different two week training programs. A cadet may go to the Naval Hospital for Hospital Corpsman training, to Navy Music school to study with military band members, or even to SEAL Orientation to learn land and water survival with the best experts in the field. Opportunities are also available for Cadets to serve on Navy ships, Coast Guard vessels and even to work with Construction Battalions. They can even go to special Leadership Academies, and then staff a Recruit Training to assist younger Cadets learn Navy values. Training is typically two weeks long in the summer, with each two- week package having it’s own curriculum. Sea Cadets learn about the Sea, Aviation, Construction and other occupational fields, in the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Maritime services. This serves the Sea Services of our nation well in providing a pool of well-rounded young recruits and also serves our nation in promoting solid citizenship and good scholarship among all our youth. There is neither requirement nor any commitment to join the Armed Forces, however, the program provides our nation with young people ready to take their place in society as leaders. The NSCC stresses time-tested values of Honor, Courage, Commitment and Truth along with other kindred and patriotic core values and basic skills. Participating in NSCC’s International Exchange Program, NSCC cadets visit other Sea Cadet programs and units world wide, learning foreign relations and improved understanding of different cultures.

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is proudly providing the next generation of leaders, not only ready for the Sea Services, but ready, willing and able to take their place as our next generation of leaders in Industry and American Society. But it can’t be done without the volunteer leaders. Just where do I fit in, you ask?

"Your NSCC Cadets need you!" Adult leaders are desperately needed to help train these fine young aspiring cadets. The good news is, you already have what you need to be successful. Knowledge of the Armed Forces of the United States, Discipline and a Patriotic desire see our young people be all that they can be.

Say "Yes" to the call again! For information on becoming an adult leader in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, visit the NSCC website at www.seacadets.org to learn more about the program. Go to "Unit Locator" to find the unit nearest you, complete the, "Request more information" and you’ll be contacted.

For the South Texas Area – go to www.SeaCadetRegion85.org

Contact: LCDR "Babe" Crouch, USN(Ret) or LCDR Suzy Williams, NSCC at SeaCadetRegion85@aol.com / Phone: 361-814-NAVY (6289)

PARENTS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO VOLUNTEER