Sea Cadet Program

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flyfishpj

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5-Year Member
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Feb 16, 2007
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I am in the process of joining the Naval Sea Cadet program and I was wondering if this is a good choice if I am wishing to attend the Naval Academy or Coast Guard academy. I am currently a sophomore in high school and I my biggest dream right now is to attend either the USNA or USCGA. For those of you who have done it, how is it? Is it looked upon favorably? What are your thoughts?
 
:thumb: Yes, yes, & yes. What a great organization for you to join. You'll learn so much that will relate to your interests in the maritime academies & have the best fun. Sure it will look good on your application. And I just gotta suggest to look into USMMA as well. When it comes time for you to apply, you'll want to give yourself all the options you can find. YAY! for you in joining Sea Cadets. Promise to keep in touch here on how it goes!
 
My son was a Sea Cadet...he received an appointment to the Class of 2011 USMMA....sure it helped............didn't hurt! It is a great organization.

As Jamzmom said....look at all your options. My boy applied to ALL :bang: the maritime schools as well as USNA, USCGA. It was a ton of work for him the first part of his Senior year, but it has paid off. I'm happy to say so far he's received appointments/acceptance for all but 1 and choose USMMA. He sure had a lot of options open to him...........

ALSO......very important.......keep your grades upppppp!!! My son has a 4.28 GPA in college and AP classes. If you are thinking about an academy this is a must! It doesn't hurt to be in the top 10% of your class and don't forget the varsity sports.

Ok....gone on long enough.....let anyone here know if you have any other questions....many of these members have a lot more experience than I at this!
 
kpmom2011, can you tell us some of the things that your son got to do & see & learn while a Sea Cadet? My son was NJROTC but often told me what the Sea Cadets were doing & I think he was kinda jealous sometimes. We weren't lucky enough to have a group close enough to us to join. From what I could gather, they operate much like NJROTC. Do tell us more!
 
Another great organization that falls under but is completely separate from the Boy Scouts are the Sea Scouts. Many confuss Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts. The Sea Scouts operate under units called ships. They usually sail various sailing vsls and operate with the local power squadrons. Their rank structure and uniforms are similiar to the Navy Enlisted.
 
sealion said:
Sea Cadets paid for him to go to NASS.
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That's really cool.

Another organization to look at is Civil Air Patrol. They provide lots of leadership and community service opportunities. The military thinks enough of their program that if you earn the Billy Mitchell award, which gives you the rank of 2nd LT, and enlist, you'll be an E-3 after boot camp.

The main thing, IMHO, is to excel at what ever Extracurricular activities you join.

And the best way to excel is to find something that is also fun. :biggrin:
 
Sea Cadets paid for him to go to NASS. He hopes to finish as Chief at Plebe summer (if he gets appointed - Lord willing)

What is a "Chief" at plebe summer?
 
My son's experience is basically the same. It depends on the unit and the Officer in Charge. It is an awesome opportunity if the unit is run well.

My boy looked into Sea Scouts, but the Cadet program was far better.

sealion said:
My son is in Sea Cadets - it's a great organization.

Trainings he has had include:

Five weeks aboard the USCG barque Eagle
Two weeks in Scotland w/ British Royal Navy (got yacht sailing cert, subs and machine guns, the Falkirk Wheel)

The above two trainings are for high academic and PO3 and above

He also did:

Master at Arms training (military law enforcement - involved being hunted by attack dogs - I believe)
Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA)
Basic Airman training
Basic training

He also studied for a cert in small boat skills given by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. And did small arms training w/M9s. Lots of other interesting and cool stuff. He wishes he had done EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) but it conflicted w/ something else - I think.

Lots of PT. Uniform maintenance and inspection.

Sea Cadets paid for him to go to NASS. He hopes to finish as Chief at Plebe summer (if he gets appointed - Lord willing)

If you have any q's re Sea Cadets PM me.
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My son also went thru 3 yrs of Sea Cadets here in NJ and it really helped in many areas, the biggest one was proving that he liked being in a military environment. I.e. dealing with the officers, uniforms, inspections, hurry-up-and-waits, etc. I would HIGHLY recomend it to all kids considering USNA (or any SA) - why get into an academy only to find out weeks later that you hate the lifestyle?

He too got reimbursed for NASS (as well as the CG AIM) by SC and went on MANY summer trainings. They also spent time at the Yard in Annapolis, sleeping on the Yard Patrol (YP) boats that the middies use for training. Again, all great ways to prove that the Navy (or any service) is right for them before they have to sign on the dotted line. Plus, he had a blast hanging with other guys/girls that had similar interests and attitudes. It's not all work - they have fun at airshows, museums, sleepovers on battleships, etc. too.

If anyone is interested in the SC here in NJ, let me know and I'll hook you up with a unit nearby.

Dknightfam@aol.com
 
Thanks guys! I am really excited. Luckily, I have a high gpa (3.79 unweighted/I am a sophomore) and I hope this will feed my appetite for the navy and help me with my hopefull acceptance to the USNA or USCGA. I also have an appetite for deailing with Officers, uniform checks, knowledge tests, etc. Thanks again!
 
As a former Sea Cadet myself, I have to echo what others have said. It is truely an awesome program and I have gotten alot out of it. I credit the program for getting put on the right track to apply for the academies. Although I didn't make it to the Naval Academy, I have been accepted at the Merchant Marine Academy - again I believe that Sea Cadets had quite a bit to do with it.

Remember, though - like any other program you get out what you put in. I put in alot of work getting to PO2 and participating in several trainings even though I didn't join until I was almost 16.

Look into for sure - I'm almost 100% sure you will enjoy it.

Nick
 
namann2011 said:
Although I didn't make it to the Naval Academy, I have been accepted at the Merchant Marine Academy
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Congratulations on your acceptance to the MMA. Just curious, have you received a rejection letter from USNA?
 
USNA69 said:
Congratulations on your acceptance to the MMA. Just curious, have you received a rejection letter from USNA?
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I'm afraid so. I recieved word from all five academies within a week of each other. My dad says its fine though - in his words:

"No matter what academy you end up in, you'll be so brainwashed after you get in, you'll think it the best thing since sliced bread"
 
namann2011 said:
I'm afraid so. I recieved word from all five academies within a week of each other. My dad says its fine though - in his words:

"No matter what academy you end up in, you'll be so brainwashed after you get in, you'll think it the best thing since sliced bread"
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Your dad is a smart man. However, "brainwash" is such a harsh word.

Just wanting to make sure you weren't surrendering prematurely. Haven't seen a lot of USNA rejections yet. Especially to those with a strong enough package to get USMMA. There isn't that much difference, if any.

Again, congratulations.
 
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