United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps is officially supported by the Navy League of the United States, and is endorsed by the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard. The United States Coast Guard, through COMDTINST 5728.2C, USCG Public Affairs Manual, has designated the USNSCC as "the primary youth program the Coast Guard supports."

A U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms shows the firing sequence of the M9 Beretta pistol to Seaman Daniel Krieg, a Cadet with the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

The national headquarters (NHQ) of the NSCC is located in Arlington, Virginia. Captain Paul Zambernardi, USN (Ret.) is the Executive Director, the "Commander-in-Chief" of the USNSCC. There are seven field areas in all. Each field is headed by an NHQ Representative, who is usually the grade of a Navy captain. Each field area may be further divided into regions, which are headed by a Senior Regional Director, who is an NSCC lieutenant commander (LCDR). Each region can have sub-regions, depending on the size of the area and number of units in that region. Each sub-region is headed by a Regional Director (RD), who is also an NSCC LCDR. Each RD will report to the Senior RD for any matters regarding the region and/or sub-regions themselves. RDs are also responsible to the NSCC NHQ Representative for matters regarding Petty Officer Exams, PO1 and CPO advancements, NSCC officer matters, and anything else that would be of importance to the NHQ Representative or to the Executive Director. Each sub-region may be composed of anywhere between two and ten units. For example, the Pacific Southwest Field Area is composed of Region 11 (covering Southern California and the Las Vegas area) and Region 12 (covering Northern California, and in Nevada, those areas north of Las Vegas). Region 11 itself is divided into 8 sub-regions, each headed by one Regional Director and their regional staff.

Cadets must be physically fit, have no criminal record, and have a good academic standard to become members. Each unit has a Commanding Officer and Executive Officer, and depending on the number of adult volunteers, may have other billets which cover different areas important to the operation of that unit. Some units have far more or far less than the required minimum, due to a vast array of recruiting issues. All units must have the minimum number of personnel in order to be commissioned into the NSCC.

Adult leaders are volunteers with myriad experience ranging from active/reserve/retired military personnel to civilian parents of cadets. Adult volunteers must be 18 years and older. NSCC officers, instructors, and midshipmen all must go through a thorough application process—including a background check—before they can be accepted as adult volunteers. High school graduates aged 18, up through adults aged 21 may serve as Midshipmen (MIDN). Midshipmen are technically NSCC officers, and are mostly former cadets, but can be ROTC, service academy, or other personnel with some type of experience relevant to the function of the NSCC and NLCC. Adults aged 21 years and older can serve as NSCC instructors, Warrant Officers, or officers (although Warrant Officer grade is reserved to military personnel with specific qualifications). Cadets who are 18 years old can elect to remain a Sea Cadet through high school graduation and until 30 September of the year of their graduation.

The United States Navy, United States Navy League, and the United States Coast Guard all support the NSCC by providing such resources as uniform assistance, use of military facilities, and assisting with training courses. Most support, however, comes from the volunteers and parents of the NSCC program. Most of the NSCC's funding has come from the enrollment fees of its cadets and officers, the Navy League of the United States, private sources, and through appropriations from the DOD's annual budget. In recent years, the NSCC has lobbied for, and obtained, through congressional support, between $1–2 million a year to offset the rising costs of supporting and running NSCC trainings.

The USNSCC is roughly 13,000 strong (12/1/19). For FY20, U.S. Congress will most likely give $1.7 million dollars. USNSCC is going to be requesting $4.3 million more.

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

Each new Sea Cadet must attend NSCC recruit training, which serves to introduce each "recruit" to the standards and routine involved in the life of a Sea Cadet. Military drill, customs and courtesies, physical fitness training, and other courses related to the sea-going services, are part of the demanding schedule of recruit training.

After graduating from NSCC recruit training, Sea Cadets have the opportunity to attend Advanced Training in many different locations and in many different fields, depending on their personal interests. Cadets must attend at least one Advanced Training each year in order to advance in rank. These training opportunities usually occur during the summer and winter breaks, but also may occur anytime throughout the year.

Advanced Training is held primarily at Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine installations, and can range anywhere from five days up to three weeks in length. The training courses are coordinated and staffed by NSCC Officers and Instructors, and may have outside instructors from all branches of the Armed Forces, who are mainly made up of Active and Reserve Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard personnel.

These training activities include, but are not limited to:

U.S. Naval Sea Cadet doing EOD/MDSU Training at Norfolk, Virginia in 2006.

Each of the NSCC and NLCC's 396 units perform drills all around the United States during the school year. Some units have a weeknight drill of 2–3 hours, or drill for an entire day over the weekend twice a month, while others drill once a month for an entire weekend. Each unit's drill schedule is set by the unit Commanding Officer and depends on the location of the unit and availability of both adult staff and cadets. During the school year, nearby units often come together to participate in weekend trainings, including Field Training Exercises, Small Arms Training, Shipboard Training, and Regional Flagship Competitions.

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.[4]

The Band of the West (BOTW) is a 30-member martial music team which is the only active marching band in the USNSCC.[5] 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.[6]

On 10 March 2020, the Sea Cadet National Headquarters had cancelled its International Exchange Program 2020, for health reasons to keep cadets and adults safe during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Summer trainings were then cancelled, and instead, virtual training options were established online on a website called Online Training Command.

On 20 March 2020, the launch of the Sea Cadet Virtual Academy was made, a website that would show many extracurricular training websites and activities that people could do on their own. A new webinar series on the Zoom meeting platform was also created: "Ask the Chief". Each webinar was hosted once every Saturday, each one having a different topic every time. Promotion exams would also be accepted to be taken at home.

In the month of April, more webinars that would talk about Navy careers were established on Zoom, too. All Sea Cadet activities were cancelled until June. The live webinar series on Youtube, Real Sailors, Real Sea Stories, was also developed. As of now, the suspension is extended to August.

The Navy allows the NSCC and NLCC to wear the uniforms of the United States Navy, only modified with a distinguishing crest and shoulder insignia (Dress Blues) and a Sea Cadets chest patch (NWU's or CUU's). U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations are adhered to by both the NSCC and NLCC. Officer rank insignia are the same as the Navy's. Sea Cadet rate insignia are slightly different in design; the colors are changed to yellow, are in the form of chevrons (V-shaped), and are worn on the right sleeve for the dress uniform. The ranks of E-2 and E-3 have the corresponding number of chevrons (downward facing) and the ranks E-4 through E-6 have the rate of BM (Boatswain's Mate). Chief Petty Officer uniforms are similar to those of the United States Navy, with a different cover device. It is different on the Navy Working Uniform (NWU Type I and III) and Camouflage Utility Uniform (CUU), where the rate insignia is worn on the cadet's collar and is slightly different from the US Navy collar devices. Additionally, a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps flash must be sewn on the right pocket of the NWU uniform and on the CUU uniform.

As of January 10, 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.[7][8]

U.S. Navy active, reserve or retired officer and enlisted personnel, may wear their U.S. Navy uniforms, insignia, and qualifications corresponding to their U.S. Navy rank or rating.

Sea cadet rates follow the same path as of the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard enlisted rates from E-1 (Seaman Recruit) through E-7 (chief petty officer) (see United States Navy enlisted rates). An enlisted sailors rating refers to their specialized training. All cadets have to take the Navy correspondence courses and pass Navy examinations to advance in rate. They must have a minimum time served in each rate before moving to the next higher rate. All new Sea Cadets enter the NSCC as an E-1 (Seaman Recruit); detailed requirements for advancement are outlined below.

Instructors are adult volunteers seeking appointment into the USNSCC Officer Corps. Enrolled Instructors wear a modified NSCC officer's uniform without shoulder boards or gold chin-straps on their cover. Everyone who wishes to become an Ensign in the NSCC Officer's Corps must serve in a probationary status for one year prior to approval for appointment. This time as an Instructor serves as the probationary period and allows time for the instructor to complete the NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study Guide. Depending on billet needs and performance as an Instructor, all Instructors may apply for jump promotions past Ensign. All Instructors, however, must serve for 1 year and complete the Officer/Midshipman Study Guide.

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, however must meet the following additional requirements: Obtained E-6 or above in any branch of the Armed Forces, serve 1 year as an instructor and have a special skill or use in the unit's operation.[9]

Officers must be at least age 21 (18 in the case of MIDN), obtain a waiver if older than 65, be a US citizen, and have successful completion of a background check. *All Officers must meet height and weight requirements in order to wear the USNSCC uniform. USNSCC Officers may be active, reserve or retired military, former military or civilians who are knowledgeable of youth and interested in their training. Instructors are actively recruited from U.S. military commands as well as leaders within the community. The USNSCC does not require specific education or professional qualifications, but applicants with Naval experience are desired. USNSCC officers are authorized to wear U.S. Navy officer uniforms (modified with the USNSCC insignia). All USNSCC officers are appointed by the NSCC Executive Director, CAPT. Paul Zambernardi, USN (Ret) via NSCC National Headquarters in Arlington Virginia. All volunteers who wish to enter the Officer Corps must serve at least one year as an Instructor or Midshipman before an appointment to Ensign or Warrant officer in the Officer Corps can be made.

The following excerpt is taken directly from USNSCC Regulations, Chapter Six Section Seven; "The U.S. Navy has extended the privilege of wearing its uniform, appropriately modified with USNSCC insignia, to officers, instructors, and midshipmen who meet required standards of appearance. Wearing the Navy’s uniform is a privilege the USNSCC has been granted by the U.S.Navy, not a right to which NSCC volunteers are entitled."

Important clarification about the correlation between Military and NSCC Officer Ranks: NSCC officers have no authority over, and do not rate a salute from military personnel. However, NSCC officers will render appropriate courtesies to U.S. military officers of the same or higher grade.

Chief Petty Officer shoulder sleeve insignia

Mr. Tim Flatley
National Chairman

Captain Paul Zambernardi, USN (Ret.)
Executive Director