What Parents Should Know

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) was established in 1958 by the US Congress to give young people ages 10-18 the opportunity to participate in a military leadership development program based on the US Navy core values of honor, courage, and commitment. Read much more about the program at seacadets.org. The Sea Cadet program allows participants to learn more about and develop an appreciation for the armed forces. It is not intended to be a recruitment tool and there is no obligation to join the military. However, there may be a direct pay benefit, should a cadet choose to enlist after graduation. 

 

Joining our Squadron is as much a family commitment as a cadet commitment. Drills are generally held one weekend a month, Saturday and Sunday from 0800-1500 each day, at the Utah Military Academy in Riverdale.  Occasional off-site optional activities, such as color guards, service projects, etc, may be scheduled at other times.  Please review the squadron Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for more details on our unit (see link below). 

In addition to regularly-scheduled drills, national overnight trainings are offered during school breaks throughout the country in many different areas of interest.  These evolutions include training, supplies, food and lodging for a nominal fee.  New cadets are required to complete Recruit Training (RT) first , an overnight experience lasting between 8-14 days. After successful completion of RT, cadets are eligible for and can tailor their training by participating in a variety of exciting national advanced trainings. 

​

We value on-point, real-time communication with enrolled cadets, their parents/guardians and unit staff. For that purpose, we are using a private group chat function on WhatsApp. We encourage (but don't require) all cadets and their parents/guardians to download the WhatsApp application for free onto their smartphones and get invited into the conversation upon joining the Squadron. This allows all interested parties the most up-to-date information about Squadron activities, as well as safe, easy and timely access to the unit's leadership. Parents/guardians will also be given access to the Parent Portal on the national Sea Cadets website, where necessary paperwork can be submitted for enrollment and training.

​

Expectations of Parents:

• We welcome your participation as an officer in the Squadron, an instructor that helps with transportation and other activities, or a member of the parents auxiliary that helps with significant events throughout the year (like the year-end celebration).

• We welcome you to observe drill any weekend.

• We expect you to check the Plan of the Month (POM) on the website so you know what your cadet needs to wear and what time they need to be dropped off/picked up from drill.

• We expect you to arrange transportation to and from the drill location and to drop-off and pick-up your cadet on time.

• We expect you to be available if your cadet needs to be picked up at drill for any reason.

• We expect you to provide opportunities for cadets to take ownership over their participation in the program.  This includes finishing coursework, communicating with their Chain of Command when they need a question answered, and providing you the information you need.

• We expect you to support cadets in procuring any additional uniform pieces that are required and encourage them to earn the money themselves for these items (through you or through other opportunities).

• We invite and would hope you attend award ceremonies to acknowledge your Cadet’s achievements and advancements.

 

Expectations of Cadets:

• We expect cadets to look at the Plan of the Month (POM) so they know what uniforms to prepare for drill weekend, what to wear for drill, what times drill starts/ends, and what to bring to drill.

• We expect cadets to follow the Chain of Command when getting the answers to their questions.

• We expect cadets to know what to do to advance and stay on top of their ribbons and coursework.  We provide many opportunities during drill to earn ribbons, but there are opportunities outside of drill to earn ribbons as well.

• We expect cadets to take ownership in the program including earning the money for uniform items and trainings.

• We expect cadets to communicate pertinent and timely items to their parents.

• We expect cadets to conduct themselves and wear their uniforms in a manner honoring the United States Navy.

• We require cadets to be at 75% of the drills throughout a year.

• We expect cadets to be at the Annual Inspection (typically in March).

​

​

​

​