Frequently asked Questions about Becoming a Sea Cadet
Who makes a good Sea Cadet?
The ideal Sea Cadet recruit is a young man or woman who wants to learn about the military in general and about the the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine in particular. Cadets must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents. If a young person is considering a future in the military, the Sea Cadets is a great place to explore that option without incurring a service obligation. Even if a young person does not want to serve in the military upon high school graduation, they can have many great learning experiences and a lot of fun as a Sea Cadet.
Are you a "troubled youth" program?
No. Our program is designed around motivated cadets. We expect cadets to be in good academic standing, and adhere to the Sea Cadet Code of Conduct. Section 5.01 of the Sea Cadet Regulations requires cadets to affirm that they reject the use of alcohol and illegal drugs, are not part of a street gang, have no pattern of unfavorable interactions with the police, and more. Cadets who haze, bully, harass, or otherwise interfere with the orderly operation of the battalion will be dis-enrolled. The development of self-discipline is a side-effect of the program and helps cadets in their day-to-day lives, but we are not in the business of "straightening out" troubled teens.
What is the time commitment?
Members of the Alamo Battalion are expected to attend monthly drills. We excuse absences for school activities, extra-curricular activities and family travel, but Cadets with excessive unexcused absences will be dis-enrolled from the program.
Sea Cadets are expected to attend annual trainings. Some of the most fun in the Sea Cadet program is in the various advanced trainings that the national organization coordinates. All Cadets must attend Recruit Training (RT) in order to receive their first permanent promotion. After RT, cadets may register for a variety of fun and challenging trainings across the country. Training is usually one to two-weeks long. Cadets and their families are responsible for travel to and from the training locations.
Sea Cadets are expected to complete correspondence courses between drill in order to advance. These courses can take 10 or more hours depending upon the course, and are broken down into manageable assignments that can be completed between drills.
Am I too old or too young?
Ideally, a new Cadet should be between age 12 and age 16. For more details, read on.
Boys and girls as young as ten years old can be members of the League Cadet Corps, although that seems to work best when a parent is a volunteer or where there are older siblings who are already Sea Cadets. Many ten-year-old children can be overwhelmed by Sea Cadet activities. If you have a ten or eleven-year-old, please contact us to discuss whether your child is mature enough to benefit from participation. By ages twelve and thirteen many children are mature enough to participate productively in our activities.
Many cadets join at the ages of thirteen or fourteen. To avoid disappointment at not being able to attend summer Recruit Training, cadets should join no later than February before the summer that they wish to attend training. Cadets cannot just sign up and go to RT the next month. Cadets must prepare for RT over several months as members of the Alamo Battalion before reporting for RT. They must complete a Basic Military Readiness course, pass a Physical Readiness Test, earn their uniforms (and have them properly fitted, patches sewn and inspected), break in their boots, and satisfy other requirements in our regulations. Parents find the time between joining and RT to be very busy with all of the tasks required for a cadet to be ready. Leave adequate time for preparation.
Prospective Cadets aged 16 or more should consider whether it is too late to join. High school seniors can be in the Sea Cadets, but senior year is far too late to start. To see the benefit of the program and to advance to E-3 in the Sea Cadets requires graduating from NSCC Recruit Training and at least one summer Advanced Training; those typically happen over two summers. Advancing to a leadership position and becoming a Petty Officer often requires between 18 months and three years depending upon what time of year a cadet joins, availability of training opportunities, and the cadet's dedication to advancement. The latest that a cadet could join with a reasonable chance of having leadership experience is mid-sophomore year of high school.
What are the costs?
The Alamo Battalion provides uniforms (NWUs, whites, blues, belts and covers). Families are expected to provide some items (nametapes, sewing patches, boots, dress shoes, t-shirts, etc.). Other costs include annual dues ($195 the first year, $135 thereafter), drill fees (typically around $30), and training expenses (fees to the training contingent and travel). The file linked below will provide more details.
Who makes a good Sea Cadet?
The ideal Sea Cadet recruit is a young man or woman who wants to learn about the military in general and about the the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine in particular. Cadets must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents. If a young person is considering a future in the military, the Sea Cadets is a great place to explore that option without incurring a service obligation. Even if a young person does not want to serve in the military upon high school graduation, they can have many great learning experiences and a lot of fun as a Sea Cadet.
Are you a "troubled youth" program?
No. Our program is designed around motivated cadets. We expect cadets to be in good academic standing, and adhere to the Sea Cadet Code of Conduct. Section 5.01 of the Sea Cadet Regulations requires cadets to affirm that they reject the use of alcohol and illegal drugs, are not part of a street gang, have no pattern of unfavorable interactions with the police, and more. Cadets who haze, bully, harass, or otherwise interfere with the orderly operation of the battalion will be dis-enrolled. The development of self-discipline is a side-effect of the program and helps cadets in their day-to-day lives, but we are not in the business of "straightening out" troubled teens.
What is the time commitment?
Members of the Alamo Battalion are expected to attend monthly drills. We excuse absences for school activities, extra-curricular activities and family travel, but Cadets with excessive unexcused absences will be dis-enrolled from the program.
Sea Cadets are expected to attend annual trainings. Some of the most fun in the Sea Cadet program is in the various advanced trainings that the national organization coordinates. All Cadets must attend Recruit Training (RT) in order to receive their first permanent promotion. After RT, cadets may register for a variety of fun and challenging trainings across the country. Training is usually one to two-weeks long. Cadets and their families are responsible for travel to and from the training locations.
Sea Cadets are expected to complete correspondence courses between drill in order to advance. These courses can take 10 or more hours depending upon the course, and are broken down into manageable assignments that can be completed between drills.
Am I too old or too young?
Ideally, a new Cadet should be between age 12 and age 16. For more details, read on.
Boys and girls as young as ten years old can be members of the League Cadet Corps, although that seems to work best when a parent is a volunteer or where there are older siblings who are already Sea Cadets. Many ten-year-old children can be overwhelmed by Sea Cadet activities. If you have a ten or eleven-year-old, please contact us to discuss whether your child is mature enough to benefit from participation. By ages twelve and thirteen many children are mature enough to participate productively in our activities.
Many cadets join at the ages of thirteen or fourteen. To avoid disappointment at not being able to attend summer Recruit Training, cadets should join no later than February before the summer that they wish to attend training. Cadets cannot just sign up and go to RT the next month. Cadets must prepare for RT over several months as members of the Alamo Battalion before reporting for RT. They must complete a Basic Military Readiness course, pass a Physical Readiness Test, earn their uniforms (and have them properly fitted, patches sewn and inspected), break in their boots, and satisfy other requirements in our regulations. Parents find the time between joining and RT to be very busy with all of the tasks required for a cadet to be ready. Leave adequate time for preparation.
Prospective Cadets aged 16 or more should consider whether it is too late to join. High school seniors can be in the Sea Cadets, but senior year is far too late to start. To see the benefit of the program and to advance to E-3 in the Sea Cadets requires graduating from NSCC Recruit Training and at least one summer Advanced Training; those typically happen over two summers. Advancing to a leadership position and becoming a Petty Officer often requires between 18 months and three years depending upon what time of year a cadet joins, availability of training opportunities, and the cadet's dedication to advancement. The latest that a cadet could join with a reasonable chance of having leadership experience is mid-sophomore year of high school.
What are the costs?
The Alamo Battalion provides uniforms (NWUs, whites, blues, belts and covers). Families are expected to provide some items (nametapes, sewing patches, boots, dress shoes, t-shirts, etc.). Other costs include annual dues ($195 the first year, $135 thereafter), drill fees (typically around $30), and training expenses (fees to the training contingent and travel). The file linked below will provide more details.
| alamo_bn_costs_overview-5.pdf |
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits to the nation, to the sea services, and to the Cadets themselves. Not only do young people learn to take responsibility for themselves, work as a team, and take pride in hard-won accomplishment, but they open new doors to their futures. About ten percent of the entering class at the Naval Academy have been Sea Cadet graduates, and Sea Cadets who enlist can do so at E-3 in the Navy and E-2 in other services. Many Sea Cadets win NROTC, and other ROTC scholarships. The self-discipline, teamwork and time management skills that our cadets learn are equally valuable whether they go off to college or begin a civilian career. Click here to see more benefits.
This link will show you the most recent statistics on the plans of our graduates.
There are many benefits to the nation, to the sea services, and to the Cadets themselves. Not only do young people learn to take responsibility for themselves, work as a team, and take pride in hard-won accomplishment, but they open new doors to their futures. About ten percent of the entering class at the Naval Academy have been Sea Cadet graduates, and Sea Cadets who enlist can do so at E-3 in the Navy and E-2 in other services. Many Sea Cadets win NROTC, and other ROTC scholarships. The self-discipline, teamwork and time management skills that our cadets learn are equally valuable whether they go off to college or begin a civilian career. Click here to see more benefits.
This link will show you the most recent statistics on the plans of our graduates.
This is for me! How do I start?
If you think that you would like to join us, find out for sure by participating in weekend drill. To enjoy your visit, parents need to fill out some paperwork, supply appropriate clothing and equipment, and pay a small drill fee that covers food and other expenses. Carefully review the Prospective Cadet Visit Guide below, and contact the Alamo Battalion at least a week before drill so that we know you are coming. Because we drill on a military base, unless your driver has military ID, we will need to pre-clear your visit.
If you think that you would like to join us, find out for sure by participating in weekend drill. To enjoy your visit, parents need to fill out some paperwork, supply appropriate clothing and equipment, and pay a small drill fee that covers food and other expenses. Carefully review the Prospective Cadet Visit Guide below, and contact the Alamo Battalion at least a week before drill so that we know you are coming. Because we drill on a military base, unless your driver has military ID, we will need to pre-clear your visit.
| alamo_bn_prospective_cadet_guide.pdf |
How can I prepare for my visit and get a head start?
First, carefully follow the directions given above. In Sea Cadets, you will learn to follow directions precisely.
Second, get in shape. Do push-ups, sit-ups and run.
Third -- this is for the parents -- we will need (1) up to date vaccination records and (2) the equivalent of a sports physical (like you get every year before your child's season starts). We can accept the vaccination records on any reasonable form, but the physical must be on our form signed by your child's health-care provider. You can save yourself a trip to the doctor by having our form (pages 5 & 6) with you when you get your annual checkup/sports physical. If you have to take prescription medication there are more pages and signatures required on the same form -- just bring the form and follow the directions.
Finally, if you really want to get a head start, begin working on your first correspondence course: "Basic Military Requirements" or BMR for Sea Cadets, "NLCC Cadet Training Syllabus" for League Cadets. Follow the directions in the Welcome Aboard document below, which tell you how to work through a correspondence course, and which give you links to the materials.
First, carefully follow the directions given above. In Sea Cadets, you will learn to follow directions precisely.
Second, get in shape. Do push-ups, sit-ups and run.
Third -- this is for the parents -- we will need (1) up to date vaccination records and (2) the equivalent of a sports physical (like you get every year before your child's season starts). We can accept the vaccination records on any reasonable form, but the physical must be on our form signed by your child's health-care provider. You can save yourself a trip to the doctor by having our form (pages 5 & 6) with you when you get your annual checkup/sports physical. If you have to take prescription medication there are more pages and signatures required on the same form -- just bring the form and follow the directions.
Finally, if you really want to get a head start, begin working on your first correspondence course: "Basic Military Requirements" or BMR for Sea Cadets, "NLCC Cadet Training Syllabus" for League Cadets. Follow the directions in the Welcome Aboard document below, which tell you how to work through a correspondence course, and which give you links to the materials.
| alamo_bn_welcome_aboard.pdf |
I am a parent who likes to read very long documents. What do you have for me?
We have the Parent's Handbook. Enjoy.
We have the Parent's Handbook. Enjoy.
