United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps
United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, 2300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201
About
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps includes hands-on activities such as seamanship, sailing, aviation, security, building robots, medical training, STEM, SCUBA, submarines, photography, culinary activities, and special forces training. The program also offers an International Exchange Program and includes an optional week-long “Navy League Orientation” for Navy League Cadets. Sea Cadets wear uniforms, work as teams in a disciplined environment, and advance through ranks that mirror the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, while League Cadets advance through ranks that mirror the Navy and Merchant Marines.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: There is an optional week-long “Navy League Orientation” available to Navy League Cadets.
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is the Navy’s youth development program and is supported by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. There are approximately 400 units across the United States, and in Guam and Puerto Rico. All prospective cadets must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, must be in good academic standing, and must be at least 10 years old and in 5th grade through the completion of high school. There are two programs within the Sea Cadets: the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) for middle school students and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) for high school students. NLCC cadets are 10 years old and in fifth grade through the end of eighth grade, and NSCC cadets are at least 13 years old and in high school, with eighth graders allowed to join NSCC after March 1 of their eighth grade year to participate in summer training. Navy League Cadets are middle school aged students who participate in an introductory program, and Sea Cadets are high school aged students who participate in an advanced program, with no requirement to have been a League Cadet before joining Sea Cadets. League Cadets and Sea Cadets both wear uniforms, train in a disciplined environment, and may participate in a wide variety of training opportunities to learn about the maritime services and different career fields. Cadets train on naval bases and other military installations, and cadets who complete “recruit training” are described as well prepared for the rigors of boot camp or officer indoctrination. There is no requirement to join the military, though many former cadets enlist, and dozens attend service academies or ROTC.
The mission of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is to build leaders of character by imbuing in its cadets the highest ideals of honor, respect, commitment, and service. Cadets are given leadership opportunities by staffing summer training events, planning unit drill sessions, and teaching others.
Parents and former cadets describe the program’s impact in several ways. One testimonial states that a cadet progressed “from a shy recruit to a Sea Cadet Chief leading whole platoons” and felt ready for Air Force basic training, service in the Air National Guard, and college. Another testimonial says that Sea Cadets influenced a decision to enlist in the Navy and pursue medicine in a military career. A third testimonial notes that through the program a cadet learned professional skills, teamwork, communication, discipline, attention to detail, and dedication, and expresses a hope to become an officer qualified in submarines in the Navy.
Last updated February 20, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: There is an optional week-long “Navy League Orientation” available to Navy League Cadets.
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is the Navy’s youth development program and is supported by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. There are approximately 400 units across the United States, and in Guam and Puerto Rico. All prospective cadets must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, must be in good academic standing, and must be at least 10 years old and in 5th grade through the completion of high school. There are two programs within the Sea Cadets: the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) for middle school students and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) for high school students. NLCC cadets are 10 years old and in fifth grade through the end of eighth grade, and NSCC cadets are at least 13 years old and in high school, with eighth graders allowed to join NSCC after March 1 of their eighth grade year to participate in summer training. Navy League Cadets are middle school aged students who participate in an introductory program, and Sea Cadets are high school aged students who participate in an advanced program, with no requirement to have been a League Cadet before joining Sea Cadets. League Cadets and Sea Cadets both wear uniforms, train in a disciplined environment, and may participate in a wide variety of training opportunities to learn about the maritime services and different career fields. Cadets train on naval bases and other military installations, and cadets who complete “recruit training” are described as well prepared for the rigors of boot camp or officer indoctrination. There is no requirement to join the military, though many former cadets enlist, and dozens attend service academies or ROTC.
The mission of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is to build leaders of character by imbuing in its cadets the highest ideals of honor, respect, commitment, and service. Cadets are given leadership opportunities by staffing summer training events, planning unit drill sessions, and teaching others.
Parents and former cadets describe the program’s impact in several ways. One testimonial states that a cadet progressed “from a shy recruit to a Sea Cadet Chief leading whole platoons” and felt ready for Air Force basic training, service in the Air National Guard, and college. Another testimonial says that Sea Cadets influenced a decision to enlist in the Navy and pursue medicine in a military career. A third testimonial notes that through the program a cadet learned professional skills, teamwork, communication, discipline, attention to detail, and dedication, and expresses a hope to become an officer qualified in submarines in the Navy.
Last updated February 20, 2026.
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