United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Explained

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).

History

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]

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]

Advancement and promotion

Cadets

RankCorrespondence courseTrainingTime in rateTime in serviceExamApproval authority
Recruit Candidate / RCRecruit CandidateN/A12 DrillsN/ARO Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS)Commanding officer
SC-1Seaman recruitSRPolaris advancement courseE-1: Seaman Recruit (SR)NANAN / ABasic Military Requirement Booklet Commanding officer
SC-2Seaman apprenticeSAPolaris advancement courseE-2: Seaman Apprentice (SA)N/A 3 months in NSCC 3 monthsNACommanding officer
SC-3SeamanSNORAirmanANPolaris advancement courseE-3: Seaman (SN)ORAirmanNAVEDTRA 14014ANSCC recruit training&Advanced training (Minimum 7 days)6 months as SC-29 monthsNACommanding officer
SC-4Petty officer 3rd classPO3Petty officer 3rd and 2nd classNAVEDTRA-14504Advanced training (Minimum 7 days)6 months as SC-315 monthsPO3 examCommanding officer
SC-5Petty officer 2nd classPO2Petty officer 3rd and 2nd classNAVEDTRA-14504Advanced training (minimum 7 days), must have graduated from POLA (Petty Officer Leadership Academy)6 months as SC-421 monthsPO2 examCommanding officer
SC-6Petty officer 1st classPO1Petty officer 1st classNAVEDTRA-14145Advanced training (minimum 7 days)6 months as SC-527 monthsPO1 examNSCC executive director
SC-7Chief petty officerCPOChief petty officerNAVEDTRA-14144Advanced training (minimum 7 days)Staff RT (effective 1 September 2008)Be 16 years of age6 months as SC-633 monthsCPO ExamNSCC executive director

Adult officers

RankCourseTrainingTime in serviceOther requirements
MidshipmanMidshipman (MIDN)NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study GuideNANANSCC E-3 or above, or ROTC. between ages 18-21
InstructorInstructor (INST)NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study GuideNANAat least 21 years of age
Warrant officerWarrant officer (WO)NSCC officerMidshipman Study GuideComplete OPD101Escort 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 OPD101Escort one Basic or one Advanced Training as an INST.One year as MIDN or INSTOne year in NSCCNA
O-2Lieutenant, junior grade (LTJG)Complete OPD 201Escort one Basic or one Advanced Training as an ENS2 years as ENS.3 Years Minimum NSCC Time in serviceNA
O-3Lieutenant (LT)Complete OPD 301Escort one basic or one advanced training as a LTJG3 years at LTJG.6 years minimum NSCC time in serviceNA
O-4Lieutenant commander (LCDR)NAEscort one Basic or one Advanced Training as a LT4 years at LT.10 years minimum NSCC time in service1 career TWT must be recruit training

Awards and decorations

Chairman's Medal
2nt rowHonor Ribbon
3rd rowDistinguished Service RibbonNLCC Distinguished Service RibbonMeritorious Recognition Ribbon
4th rowCommendation RibbonCitation RibbonNSCC Escort Officer Ribbon
5th rowNLUS Youth RibbonCommunity Service RibbonNSCC IEP Officer Ribbon
6th rowAcademic Achievement RibbonDrug Reduction Service RibbonONR Science Achievement Ribbon
7th rowRecruiting Incentive RibbonDAR ROTC AwardDAR Outstanding Cadet Award
8th rowSAR Citizenship AwardVFW NSCC RibbonUnit Commendation Ribbon
9th rowPhysical Fitness RibbonNSCC Staff Cadet RibbonColor Guard Ribbon
10th rowNSCC/NLCC Service Ribbon RibbonNLCC Merit RibbonMarksman Ribbon
11th rowInternational Naval Review/OpSail 2000 RibbonNSCC 25th/50th Anniversary Ribbon25th Year Commissioned Ribbon
12th rowUSCG Bicentennial Unit Commendation RibbonFifth Year RibbonFourth Year Ribbon
13th rowThird Year RibbonSecond Year RibbonFirst 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.[11]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title36/subtitleii_partb_chapter1541_.html Public Law 87-655
  2. Web site: Recruiting, Retention, and Reservist Promotion Act of 2000 (HR 4208) . 23 January 2007 . 14 July 2012 . https://archive.today/20120714144731/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:H.R.4208.IH: . dead .
  3. https://www.navycs.com/navy-advanced-paygrade.html Navy Advanced Paygrade requirements
  4. Web site: Naval Sea Systems Command > Home > Warfare Centers > NSWC Crane > Partnerships > Educational Outreach > Sea Cadets. 2021-02-19. navsea.navy.mil.
  5. Web site: IEP Manual. Weggen. Jennifer. 10 September 2018. US Naval Sea Cadet Corps International Exchange Program.
  6. Web site: Annual ceremony held for U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps Band of the West Division . Livengood . Carolyn . 2 March 2016 . . 26 May 2020 .
  7. Web site: Music .
  8. Web site: USNSCC Homeport. USNSCC Homeport. 2020-01-14.
  9. Web site: USNSCC Interim Uniform Manual Change #3. 10 January 2020. homeport.seacadets.org.
  10. Web site: Rank and Insignia. USNSCC.
  11. Web site: Headquarters. USNSCC.