| Unit Name: | United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps |
| Size: | 396 units and 12,002 members (2,871 officers and 9,131 cadets) |
| Garrison: | Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Motto: | "Chart your course" |
| Colors: | Sea Cadet Blue and Gold |
| Anniversaries: | 10 September 1962 (federal incorporation) |
| Website: | http://www.seacadets.org/ |
| Commander1: | RADM Andrew Lennon, USN (Ret.) |
| Commander1 Label: | Executive Director |
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).
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.
U.S. Navy training activities include, but are not limited to:[4]
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]
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]
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]
| Rank | Correspondence course | Training | Time in rate | Time in service | Exam | Approval authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit Candidate / RC | Recruit Candidate | N/A | 12 Drills | N/A | RO Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS) | Commanding officer |
| SC-1Seaman recruitSR | Polaris advancement courseE-1: Seaman Recruit (SR) | NA | NA | N / A | Basic Military Requirement Booklet | Commanding officer |
| SC-2Seaman apprenticeSA | Polaris advancement courseE-2: Seaman Apprentice (SA) | N/A | 3 months in NSCC | 3 months | NA | Commanding officer |
| SC-3SeamanSNORAirmanAN | Polaris advancement courseE-3: Seaman (SN)ORAirmanNAVEDTRA 14014A | NSCC recruit training&Advanced training (Minimum 7 days) | 6 months as SC-2 | 9 months | NA | Commanding officer |
| SC-4Petty officer 3rd classPO3 | Petty officer 3rd and 2nd classNAVEDTRA-14504 | Advanced training (Minimum 7 days) | 6 months as SC-3 | 15 months | PO3 exam | Commanding officer |
| SC-5Petty officer 2nd classPO2 | Petty officer 3rd and 2nd classNAVEDTRA-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-6Petty officer 1st classPO1 | Petty officer 1st classNAVEDTRA-14145 | Advanced training (minimum 7 days) | 6 months as SC-5 | 27 months | PO1 exam | NSCC executive director |
| SC-7Chief petty officerCPO | Chief petty officerNAVEDTRA-14144 | Advanced training (minimum 7 days)Staff RT (effective 1 September 2008)Be 16 years of age | 6 months as SC-6 | 33 months | CPO Exam | NSCC executive director |
| Rank | Course | Training | Time in service | Other requirements | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidshipmanMidshipman (MIDN) | NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study Guide | NA | NA | NSCC E-3 or above, or ROTC. between ages 18-21 | |
| InstructorInstructor (INST) | NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study Guide | NA | NA | at least 21 years of age | |
| Warrant officerWarrant officer (WO) | NSCC officerMidshipman Study GuideComplete 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-1Ensign (ENS) | NSCC OfficerMidshipman Study GuideComplete OPD101 | Escort one Basic or one Advanced Training as an INST. | One year as MIDN or INSTOne year in NSCC | NA | |
| O-2Lieutenant, 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 | NA | |
| O-3Lieutenant (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 | NA | |
| O-4Lieutenant commander (LCDR) | NA | 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 |
| 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 |
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.[11]