Become a Sea Cadet

Gain the competitive edge to stand out and excel beyond your peers!

How Do I Join?

Step 1: Verify Qualifications

To join the program, the cadet must be a US citizen or permanent legal resident, 10-17 years of age, satisfactorily be enrolled in a public or private school or a certified home school program with a GPA of at least 2.0, be of good moral character, unmarried and remain single while in the program, and free of any felony convictions.

Step 2: Shadow

Prospective Sea Cadets and parents can join us for a day during a drill weekend to ensure that our program is a good fit. You will start your day by meeting our Recruiting Officer who will introduce you to other officers and cadets. We will also review Sea Cadet program requirements and expectations with you. Prospective cadets are welcome to stay the entire day and, if so, will then be integrated into the unit to participate in activities.

Also, we will ask you to sign a waiver so that the prospective cadet can complete a mock PRT (Physical Readiness Test). The mock PRT will include push-ups, holding the plank position and a timed one-mile run. For this reason, prospective cadets must report in clothing appropriate for the weather conditions and the mock PRT, including running sneakers. If the prospective cadet passes the mock PRT and the recruit/parent shadow day is otherwise successful, the prospective cadet will be invited to join the Sea Cadet program.

Mason Division’s Commanding Officer may, but is not required to, request that prospective cadets provide a copy of their most recent report card.

Step 3: Complete the Application

1. Download and complete the full application;

2. Physical examination signed by the Pediatrician, pg. 5 & 6 of the application;

3. Current immunization records – required vaccinations are: polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, and meningitis;

4. Copy of the insurance card (front and back); and

5. $225 One-Time Enrollment Fee and $125 Annual Registration Fee. (For a total of $350 the first year)

Download Application Here

Step 4: Wait for Approval

All Sea Cadet applications are submitted to USNSCC headquarters. Upon approval, the new recruits will receive an ID card and be considered members of Mason Division. All Mason Division cadets and recruits must have their ID cards with them at all Sea Cadet functions. There is a $10 replacement fee for lost ID cards.

“Being a Sea Cadet has given me an opportunity to learn and lead that I would not have had anywhere else. It has helped me set goals, push myself, grow and meet some wonderful people.”

Program Requirements

Drills

Cadets are required to attend 75% of all scheduled drills and events (on or off base). Punctually is essential! Report to and be picked up upon dismissal at the specified time published on the monthly Plan of the Month (POM). When the drill is a field trip, cadets may need to be dropped off and picked up at the filed trip location. Cadets grow in confidence as they train in a highly structured and disciplined environment that stresses both personal accountability and teamwork. Our cadets wear uniforms, adhere to fitness and grooming standards, and are held to the highest standards of behavior.

Advance Training

Cadets must complete “away-from-home” Advanced Trainings (AT) in addition to passing a semi-annual Physical Readiness Test (PRT) and completing at-home coursework available through POLARIS, a web-based system that cadets gain access to upon Sea Cadet enrollment. While essential requirements cannot be waived, other non-essential procedures or unit/training-specific policies may be modified or waived as necessary to accommodate disabilities. Examples of AT include: seamanship, sailing, aviation, security, building robots, medical, STEM, SCUBA, submarines, photography, culinary, special forces training, and an international exchange program.

Uniforms

Upon successful completion on the INDOC Program, new cadets will receive a military seabag with uniforms and other items to wear at different events. Some uniform accessories and personal items such as a physical training uniform, running snealers, etc. must be purchased separately.

Fees

A one-time enrollment fee of $225 entitles a new cadet a full seabag upon completion of the INDOC program. The seabag and the uniform items contained therein must be returned to Mason Division when the cadet leaves the Sea Cadet program.

An annual registration fee of $99.

Advanced Trainings (AT) and Recruit Trainings (RT): These costs vary but typically range from $150 – $300 per training. After completing mandatory RT, cadets are expected to attend at least one AT per year. While instruction, room, and board are included in the cost of the trainings, transportation to and from the sites is the cadet’s/parent’s responsibility.