The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) is a congressionally chartered, U.S. Navy-sponsored organization that serves to teach individuals about the sea-going military services, U.S. naval operations and training, community service, citizenship, and an understanding of discipline and teamwork. The USNSCC is composed of two programs –Sea Cadets (NSCC), a senior program for cadets age 13 through the age of 18, and League Cadets (NLCC), for cadets ages 10 through 13.

The USNSCC 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.

In 2000, the U.S. Congress stated that the USNSCC and related programs “provide significant benefits for the Armed Forces, including significant public relations benefits.” Although under no service obligation, a sizeable percentage of cadets later enlist in the military or enter an officer program via the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) or via a congressional nominated to a service academy. 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 and E-2 in the Marine Corps or other services, due to the training they receive while enrolled in the USNSCC.

Each of the NSCC and NLCC’s more than 300 units perform drills all around the United States during the school year.  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. Currently, Mason Division holds drill on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month from 0800-1530. See Drill Schedule Here. 

Every cadet must participate in physical training (PT) and pass a semi-annual Physical Readiness Test (PRT).  Each cadet must also complete USNSCC correspondence coursework in order to be promoted to the next USNSCC rank.  Additionally, each new Sea Cadet must attend USNSCC 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 USNSCC 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 USNSCC Adult Volunteers (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.