Effect of Sea Cadets in application?

lacrosslady

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Jan 23, 2023
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I'm a junior and have been a sea cadet since summer 2020. I'm scheduled to be a po1 in April and chief in October, so I'd be a chief well into my application time. I've had a lot of leadership experience I'd be able to elaborate upon when the time actually comes, but does this hold the same weight as something like JROTC? It's funded by the navy itself as an official youth program but I really don't see very many people speak about it at all. I'm also a Girls State delegate for this upcoming summer so for reference which would have more "weight" in the application?

Thanks for any answers, always appreciate
 
I'm a junior and have been a sea cadet since summer 2020. I'm scheduled to be a po1 in April and chief in October, so I'd be a chief well into my application time. I've had a lot of leadership experience I'd be able to elaborate upon when the time actually comes, but does this hold the same weight as something like JROTC? It's funded by the navy itself as an official youth program but I really don't see very many people speak about it at all. I'm also a Girls State delegate for this upcoming summer so for reference which would have more "weight" in the application?

Thanks for any answers, always appreciate
Sea cadets shows leadership, and knowledge of military courtesy and customs-all positive to the SAs. Just as good as JROTC or Civil Air Patrol. Girls state will also pump up your score. You will mention both in your application/essays. BTW, almost anyone can join JROTC, CAP and Sea Cadets. Girls States, as you know, required an application, essay, LORs and an interview - much more selective. My DD did do Girls State and is in CAP. Good Luck.
 
I'm a junior and have been a sea cadet since summer 2020. I'm scheduled to be a po1 in April and chief in October, so I'd be a chief well into my application time. I've had a lot of leadership experience I'd be able to elaborate upon when the time actually comes, but does this hold the same weight as something like JROTC? It's funded by the navy itself as an official youth program but I really don't see very many people speak about it at all. I'm also a Girls State delegate for this upcoming summer so for reference which would have more "weight" in the application?
The "official youth program" of the Navy but funded by the NAVY LEAGUE, not the USN.

Sincerely
Former Cadet
.
Not much gets said on here because there are not that many Sea Cadet Divisions in the US and many are not aware about it. I honestly can't say which has more sway but Boys/Girls State is much more widely available and might be a bigger deal because you get SELECTED for Boys/Girls State while Sea Cadets can be joined more easily.
 
Folks, when it comes to ECAs, it is more important to do what you enjoy, stick with it, and move up in its organization than to try to pick ECAs that will "look good" for SAs.

As I've mentioned many times (and as is stated in one of the stickies), USNA is not so much concerned with WHAT you do as HOW you achieve in it. There are midshipmen who are singers and actors; those involved in school newspaper), Model UN, art, student government, JROTC, chemistry club, language clubs, and hiking clubs. Some are active with their churches or other religious activities. Some do Big Brothers / Sisters. Scouting. Boys / Girls state. Some are involved with politics. And on and on. Some work during the school year. Some take care of their siblings because their parents work.

There really is no "magic formula" and no "right" or "wrong" activity.

What's important is to find one or more activities and stay with them for 3-4 years. Show commitment. Also, look for ways to move up in the organization or to run specific projects -- that's how you show leadership. It's a total waste of your time (and maybe money) to join organizations that don't interest you solely to improve your USNA package.

Sometimes you have to choose between activities due to time conflicts. If both activities are equally interesting, pick the one that is more selective. Otherwise, pick one where you have a better opportunity to move up or lead.
 
Folks, when it comes to ECAs, it is more important to do what you enjoy, stick with it, and move up in its organization than to try to pick ECAs that will "look good" for SAs.

As I've mentioned many times (and as is stated in one of the stickies), USNA is not so much concerned with WHAT you do as HOW you achieve in it. There are midshipmen who are singers and actors; those involved in school newspaper), Model UN, art, student government, JROTC, chemistry club, language clubs, and hiking clubs. Some are active with their churches or other religious activities. Some do Big Brothers / Sisters. Scouting. Boys / Girls state. Some are involved with politics. And on and on. Some work during the school year. Some take care of their siblings because their parents work.

There really is no "magic formula" and no "right" or "wrong" activity.

What's important is to find one or more activities and stay with them for 3-4 years. Show commitment. Also, look for ways to move up in the organization or to run specific projects -- that's how you show leadership. It's a total waste of your time (and maybe money) to join organizations that don't interest you solely to improve your USNA package.

Sometimes you have to choose between activities due to time conflicts. If both activities are equally interesting, pick the one that is more selective. Otherwise, pick one where you have a better opportunity to move up or lead.
I would only add - pick activities that won’t interfere from doing your best academically.
 
Folks, when it comes to ECAs, it is more important to do what you enjoy, stick with it, and move up in its organization than to try to pick ECAs that will "look good" for SAs.

As I've mentioned many times (and as is stated in one of the stickies), USNA is not so much concerned with WHAT you do as HOW you achieve in it. There are midshipmen who are singers and actors; those involved in school newspaper), Model UN, art, student government, JROTC, chemistry club, language clubs, and hiking clubs. Some are active with their churches or other religious activities. Some do Big Brothers / Sisters. Scouting. Boys / Girls state. Some are involved with politics. And on and on. Some work during the school year. Some take care of their siblings because their parents work.

There really is no "magic formula" and no "right" or "wrong" activity.

What's important is to find one or more activities and stay with them for 3-4 years. Show commitment. Also, look for ways to move up in the organization or to run specific projects -- that's how you show leadership. It's a total waste of your time (and maybe money) to join organizations that don't interest you solely to improve your USNA package.

Sometimes you have to choose between activities due to time conflicts. If both activities are equally interesting, pick the one that is more selective. Otherwise, pick one where you have a better opportunity to move up or lead.
The counter point would be that there are identified checkboxes within the application related to ECA selection or achievements that equate to specific points within the application process. Varsity sport, Boy/Girl State, Eagle Scout/Gold Award, CAP Mitchell/Earhart/Spaatz, and so forth.

IMO, a candidate evaluating options as a HS freshman or sophomore would benefit more from spending the time on these named activities rather than other things. Often, you can do one or more of the named categories AND other areas of interest. Ideally, the activities one chooses to partake in are of interest to the student. Time in HS is a special place in one's adolescent development and we do not get a do-over. With that said, your resume at the end of those 4 years is what you make it. A stellar resume is planned and not an accident.

I do agree with @A1Janitor and @usna1985 that academics must be prioritized over all other activity.
 
Folks, when it comes to ECAs, it is more important to do what you enjoy, stick with it, and move up in its organization than to try to pick ECAs that will "look good" for SAs.

As I've mentioned many times (and as is stated in one of the stickies), USNA is not so much concerned with WHAT you do as HOW you achieve in it. There are midshipmen who are singers and actors; those involved in school newspaper), Model UN, art, student government, JROTC, chemistry club, language clubs, and hiking clubs. Some are active with their churches or other religious activities. Some do Big Brothers / Sisters. Scouting. Boys / Girls state. Some are involved with politics. And on and on. Some work during the school year. Some take care of their siblings because their parents work.

There really is no "magic formula" and no "right" or "wrong" activity.

What's important is to find one or more activities and stay with them for 3-4 years. Show commitment. Also, look for ways to move up in the organization or to run specific projects -- that's how you show leadership. It's a total waste of your time (and maybe money) to join organizations that don't interest you solely to improve your USNA package.

Sometimes you have to choose between activities due to time conflicts. If both activities are equally interesting, pick the one that is more selective. Otherwise, pick one where you have a better opportunity to move up or lead.
I understand your answer but I'm just curious! I have no intention of dropping either as I genuinely enjoy being a sea cadet and can't wait for the girls state opportunity. It was a passing question in mind and I appreciate the insight!
 
The "official youth program" of the Navy but funded by the NAVY LEAGUE, not the USN.

Sincerely
Former Cadet
.
Not much gets said on here because there are not that many Sea Cadet Divisions in the US and many are not aware about it. I honestly can't say which has more sway but Boys/Girls State is much more widely available and might be a bigger deal because you get SELECTED for Boys/Girls State while Sea Cadets can be joined more easily.
Oh I didn't know it was by the navy league, thank you for the clarification. Is that an affiliated civilian branch of the navy?
 
Oh I didn't know it was by the navy league, thank you for the clarification. Is that an affiliated civilian branch of the navy?
The Navy League is a non-profit organization, the parent of the Sea Cadet program, also a non-profit. The Sea Cadet program is officially recognized by the Navy and does receive some funding grants and other support. It has a .org website.

NJROTC is a fully-funded government program, see link below, resident at an official navy.mil site.

Both are fine programs for developing leadership and sea service knowledge. NJROTC, similar to other HS federal JROTC programs, provides some specific benefits. Excerpted from the NJROTC website:
  • Cadets presenting evidence of successful completion of at least 3 years of NJROTC are entitled to advanced promotion to pay grade E-3 upon initial enlistment in an active or reserve component of the Navy or Air Force and pay grade E-2 in the Army or Marine Corps.
  • Cadets accepted for enlistment, who provide evidence of successful completion of 2 years of a NJROTC program are entitled to be enlisted in pay grade E-2 in the Navy.
  • Senior Naval Science Instructor is authorized to nominate a maximum of three eligible cadets each year to compete for U.S. Naval Academy appointments.
  • Administrators of host schools that are designated as Distinguished Units with Academic Honors may nominate three eligible NJROTC cadets as candidates for appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy in addition to the three nominations above to the U.S. Naval Academy.
 
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