United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC or NSCC) is a congressionally chartered, U.S. Navy-sponsored organization that serves to involve individuals in the sea-going military services, U.S. naval operations and training, community service, citizenship, and teach an understanding of discipline and teamwork. The USNSCC is composed of two programs; the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC), which is for cadets ages 10-13, 5th grade through 8th grade; and the senior program (NSCC), which is for cadets ages 13-18 (March 1st of the year they complete 8th grade).

United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Founded1958 (1958)
Country United States of America
Size396 units and 12,002 members (2,871 officers and 9,131 cadets)
Garrison/HQArlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Motto(s)"Chart your course"
ColorsSea Cadet Blue and Gold   
Anniversaries10 September 1962 (federal incorporation)
Website
Commanders
Executive Director RADM Andrew Lennon, USN (Ret.)

History
Sea Cadets at Recruit Training
Sea Cadets graduation in January 2019 from EMS at Naval Station Newport

The NSCC was founded in 1958 by the Navy League of the United States at the request of the Department of the Navy. In 1962, the USNSCC was chartered under Title 36 of the United States Code as a non-profit youth organization with an emphasis towards the sea-going services of the United States.[1]

In 2000, the U.S. Congress stated that the NSCC and related programs "provide significant benefits for the Armed Forces, including significant public relations benefits."[2] Although under no service obligation, a sizeable percentage of cadets later enlist in the military. Members who attain the grade E-3 or Seaman/Airman or are in the program for 2 years, may enter as an advanced paygrade of E-3 if they join the Navy before they turn 24 years old,[3] and E-2 in the Marine Corps or other services, due to the training they receive.

Sea Cadets participating in EOD/MDSU training at Fort Story, Virginia

U.S. Navy training activities include, but are not limited to:[4]

Flag of the Chicago Division of the USNSCC. Other divisions use this same flag, just with the division name changed at the bottom.
U.S. Naval Sea Cadet doing EOD/MDSU Training at Norfolk, Virginia in 2006.
Vice Adm. Terrance Etnyre, commander of Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salutes the Sea Cadets performing as sideboys of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet training ship Grayfox (TWR 825), Detroit Navy Week, 2007

The USNSCC owns a ship, the USNSCS Grayfox, homeported in Port Huron, Michigan. The USNSCC also sponsors an International Exchange Program with other Sea Cadet programs around the world: exchange countries include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, India, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Hong Kong, Russia, and Bermuda.[5]

The Band of the West (BOTW) is a 30-member martial music team which is the only active marching band in the USNSCC.[6] The band has been trained by the top military bands in the nation including the United States Navy Band, Marine Band San Diego and the 101st Army Reserve Band.[7]

Uniforms

As of 10 January 2020 the U.S. Navy has authorized the NWU III Uniform to be worn by Cadets, Midshipmen, Instructors and Officers of the USNSCC. The NWU III uniform worn by the NSCC/NLCC is modified with official USNSCC/USNLCC tapes, shoulder flashes and 8-point cover flash. The only footwear authorized for wear with the NWU III is a black combat style boot. Coyote, Tan and Black "rough out" boots are not authorized for the NSCC.[8][9]

Rates

Warrant officers are adult leaders who have received direct appointments into the USNSCC Officer Corps. Warrant Officers wear a modified navy warrant officer's (W-2) uniform appropriately marked with the NSCC Insignia. Warrant Officers normally serve a specific function or head a department within the unit and remain in the grade of Warrant Officer, however, may become an Ensign in the normal path of advancement after one year of service if they choose to do so. Candidates for Warrant Officer do not have to complete the Officer/Midshipman Study Guide prior to appointment, but have to have obtained the rank of E-6 or higher in any branch of the Armed Forces, serve 1 year as an instructor, and have a special skill, or speciality in the unit's operation.[10]

Chief Petty Officer shoulder sleeve insignia

Advancement and promotion

Cadets
Rank Correspondence Course Training Time in rate Time in service Exam Approval authority
SC-1
Seaman recruit / SR		 Polaris advancement course

E-1: Seaman Recruit (SR)

 N / A N / A N / A Basic Military Requirement Booklet N / A
SC-2
Seaman apprentice / SA		 Polaris advancement course
E-2: Seaman Apprentice (SA)		 N/A 3 months in NSCC 3 months N / A Commanding officer
SC-3
Seaman / SN
OR
Airman / AN		 Polaris advancement course
E-3: Seaman (SN)
OR
Airman
NAVEDTRA 14014A		 NSCC recruit training

& Advanced training (Minimum 7 days)

 6 months as SC-2 9 months N / A Commanding officer
SC-4
Petty officer 3rd class / PO3		 Petty officer 3rd and 2nd class
NAVEDTRA-14504		 Advanced training (Minimum 7 days) 6 months as SC-3 15 months PO3 exam Commanding officer
SC-5
Petty officer 2nd class / PO2		 Petty officer 3rd and 2nd class
NAVEDTRA-14504		 Advanced training (minimum 7 days), must have graduated from POLA (Petty Officer Leadership Academy) 6 months as SC-4 21 months PO2 exam Commanding officer
SC-6
Petty officer 1st class / PO1		 Petty officer 1st class
NAVEDTRA-14145		 Advanced training (minimum 7 days) 6 months as SC-5 27 months PO1 exam NSCC executive director
SC-7
Chief petty officer / CPO		 Chief petty officer
NAVEDTRA-14144		 Advanced training (minimum 7 days)
Staff RT (effective 1 September 2008)
Be 16 years of age		 6 months as SC-6 33 months N / A NSCC executive director

Adult officers
Rank Course Training Time in service Other requirements
Midshipman
Midshipman (MIDN)		 NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study Guide N / A N / A NSCC E-3 or above, or ROTC. between ages 18-21
Instructor
Instructor (INST)		 NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study Guide N / A N / A at least 21 years of age
Warrant officer
Warrant officer (WO)		 NSCC officer / Midshipman Study Guide
Complete OPD101		 Escort one Basic or one Advanced Training as an INST. Serve a minimum 1 year as an INST. Must have reached E-6 or above in military, at least 35 years of age
O-1
Ensign (ENS)		 NSCC Officer / Midshipman Study Guide
Complete OPD101		 Escort one Basic or one Advanced Training as an INST. One year as MIDN or INST
One year in NSCC		 N / A
O-2
Lieutenant, junior grade (LTJG)		 Complete OPD 201 Escort one Basic or one Advanced Training as an ENS 2 years as ENS.
3 Years Minimum NSCC Time in service		 N / A
O-3
Lieutenant (LT)		 Complete OPD 301 Escort one basic or one advanced training as a LTJG 3 years at LTJG.
6 years minimum NSCC time in service		 N / A
O-4
Lieutenant commander (LCDR)		 N / A Escort one Basic or one Advanced Training as a LT 4 years at LT.
10 years minimum NSCC time in service		 1 career TWT must be recruit training

Awards and decorations
Awards and decorations of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps[11]
1st row Chairman's Medal
2nt row Honor Ribbon
3rd row Distinguished Service Ribbon NLCC Distinguished Service Ribbon Meritorious Recognition Ribbon
4th row Commendation Ribbon Citation Ribbon NSCC Escort Officer Ribbon
5th row NLUS Youth Ribbon Community Service Ribbon NSCC IEP Officer Ribbon
6th row Academic Achievement Ribbon Drug Reduction Service Ribbon ONR Science Achievement Ribbon
7th row Recruiting Incentive Ribbon DAR ROTC Award DAR Outstanding Cadet Award
8th row SAR Citizenship Award VFW NSCC Ribbon Unit Commendation Ribbon
9th row Physical Fitness Ribbon NSCC Staff Cadet Ribbon Color Guard Ribbon
10th row NSCC/NLCC Service Ribbon Ribbon NLCC Merit Ribbon Marksman Ribbon
11th row International Naval Review/OpSail 2000 Ribbon NSCC 25th/50th Anniversary Ribbon 25th Year Commissioned Ribbon
12th row USCG Bicentennial Unit Commendation Ribbon Fifth Year Ribbon Fourth Year Ribbon
13th row Third Year Ribbon Second Year Ribbon First Year Ribbon

Headquarters

Policy and guidance for the administration and operation of the Cadet Corps programs is established by a National Board of Directors. The National Vice President of the Navy League for Youth Programs serves concurrently as the National Chairman of the NSCC National Board, and the Vice Chairman of the NSCC National Board serves as the National President. Day-to-day administration of the programs is accomplished by a full-time Executive Director and small staff located in Arlington, Virginia.[12]

  • Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren fire department battalion chief Tracy Hall offers some knot-tying pointers to a Navy League cadet.
    Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren fire department battalion chief Tracy Hall offers some knot-tying pointers to a Navy League cadet.
  • Naval Sea Cadets take part in a rigorous exercise routine while participating in Diver/Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Special Operations Program training.
    Naval Sea Cadets take part in a rigorous exercise routine while participating in Diver/Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Special Operations Program training.
  • Master-at-Arms 1st Class Doug Terou, left, assigned to Naval Station Everett, Wash., encourages members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps to work during a master-at-arms training exercise.
    Master-at-Arms 1st Class Doug Terou, left, assigned to Naval Station Everett, Wash., encourages members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps to work during a master-at-arms training exercise.
  • U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Josh Gladden provides instruction on how to get the perfect spit-shined shoes as part of basic training to U.S. Naval League Cadet Corps recruits.
    U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Josh Gladden provides instruction on how to get the perfect spit-shined shoes as part of basic training to U.S. Naval League Cadet Corps recruits.
  • Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) William Davis talks to a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps cadet from the Seal Beach Battalion.
    Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) William Davis talks to a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps cadet from the Seal Beach Battalion.

See also

References
  1. Public Law 87-655 (10 Sept. 1962), at 36 USC 1541.
  2. "Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 (HR 4208)". Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2007.
  3. Navy Advanced Paygrade requirements
  4. "Naval Sea Systems Command > Home > Warfare Centers > NSWC Crane > Partnerships > Educational Outreach > Sea Cadets". navsea.navy.mil. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  5. Weggen, Jennifer (10 September 2018). "IEP Manual" (PDF). US Naval Sea Cadet Corps International Exchange Program.
  6. Livengood, Carolyn (2 March 2016). "Annual ceremony held for U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps Band of the West Division". The Mercury News. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  7. "Music".
  8. "USNSCC Homeport". USNSCC Homeport. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  9. "USNSCC Interim Uniform Manual Change #3" (PDF). homeport.seacadets.org. 10 January 2020.
  10. "Rank and Insignia". USNSCC.
  11. "NSCC/NLCC Ribbon Chart". Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  12. "Headquarters". USNSCC.
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