Central Coast Division (local unit), U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps

The U. S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a youth program for young Americans, male and female, between the ages of 10 and 17. Central Coast Division covers from Paso Robles to Orcutt, CA.The objectives are to develop interest and skill in basic seamanship and to train the cadets in seagoing skills as well as patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and teamwork. Cadets train aboard ships and shore activities of the Navy and Coast Guard, and are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to wear Navy uniforms appropriately marked with Naval Sea Cadet Corps insignia.There are approximately 350 NSCC or NLCC (League Cadet) units in operation in almost every state of the union as well as Puerto and Guam, with over 9500 young Americans participating.The Naval Sea Cadet Corps affords equal opportunity for participation to all American youth without regard to race, color, religion or sex.

The cadets are also taught a variety of leadership skills including attending boot camp for two weeks as well as Petty Officer Leadership Academy and other advanced training’s. Some of the other training’s the Naval Sea Cadet Corps offers are Medical Corpsman training, Search & Rescue training, EMT training, Music school, Airman training, Construction training, Coast Guard training, Amphibious training, Mountain Survival training and SEAL training, to name just a few. Sea Cadets travel to training sites all over the country during the summer training period. Additionally, outstanding cadets are selected to participate in International Exchanges – Canada – East and West, Bermuda, UK, Australia, Sweden, Japan, Hong Kong and the

Netherlands

These training’s occur during the summer months so as not to interfere with school programs. However, cadets drill monthly during the school year where they learn the basic leadership and educational skills. Our monthly training’s consist of learning to march, color guard training, US History, Naval History, ships, knot tying, land navigation, decorum, signal flags and drug awareness among other things. This program stresses leadership to keep the youths of

America

from becoming involved in the illegal use of drugs and alcohol as well as keeping them from becoming involved in gangs and violence. In addition, cadets are required to do correspondence courses. These are the actual Navy correspondence courses. These courses along with 2 week training’s and time in rank, earn cadets promotions. They are the same as in the Navy. If a cadet should decide to join the Navy or the Coast Guard after school graduation, they can enter at a higher pay grade based upon what they have completed within the Sea Cadet program. This is also true for the other branches of service, also.

In addition to summer training’s and our regular drills, we provide extra curricular activities and participate in activities throughout our community along the Central Coast as well as traveling to San Francisco , Santa Barbara , and San Diego . Some of our past activities have included: air shows at places like Paso Robles, Port Hueneme, Lemoore NAS, Moffet Air Field; Color Guards in parades such as the Arroyo Grande Harvest Festival parade, and Christmas parades around the area; participation in Fleet Week activities in San Francisco; the touring of several Navy ships between San Diego and San Francisco; Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day services; Flag Day ceremonies for the Elks in Oceano; Color Guard for the ceremonies for the arrival of the tall ship Endeavor in Morro Bay; aircraft damage control firefighting training at Lemoore NAS; training aboard the tall ship Lady Washington while she was in Morro Bay; participation in the annual ‘Pass in Review’ at Camp Parks in Dublin; JAG training at Lemoore NAS, participation in the regions annual SEAL challenge; the Mud Run at Lemoore NAS; tours of Vandenberg Air Force Base; simulator training’s at Lemoore NAS; and Land Navigation training. We are always on the lookout for other activities for our cadets, to help them learn and grow as they go through the program. Our yearly calendar normally lists some of the other activities that we try to plan for throughout the year. And we also try to encourage all cadets to come up with suggestions of things that they would like to do or learn about.

The adult leadership of this program is all volunteer. Each of us is here for the cadets themselves. We are here to teach them and encourage them to do the best they can, strive to achieve their own goals and to be the best person that they can be. We believe in teamwork – working together as a team to accomplish similar goals.

The Sea Cadet program emphasizes the teaching of positive moral values that benefit others and help build self-respect, self-esteem and confidence. Only a small percent of those who become Sea Cadets actually join the military, but the values and discipline they learn help them move on into families and businesses where they make significant contributions as responsible and honorable members of society.

Monthly drills are usually every other Saturday of every month from 9am to 4pm. Drills may be changed based upon planned activities. Advance notice is always given.

Uniforms are provided by this unit at the present time. They are actual Navy uniforms with one exception (our sleeve patches). Dress black shoes, boots, white and brown t-shirts are a few of the items that are up to the individual cadets to get.

***Adult volunteers are not only needed, but are the backbone of the unit. A good unit needs several adult volunteers to run effectively. Adults are needed for instructors, help with the running of the unit and also for transportation when we travel. Adult volunteers are encouraged to also enroll in the US Naval Sea Cadet program.***