About the Sea Cadets

Thank you for taking the time to read this it may have been one of the best decisions on your life.

WHAT ARE THE SEA CADETS?

Simply the best – that’s the Sea Cadets, the number one youth charity based on Britain’s Senior Service -- the Royal Navy.

And right here in your local unit we can really make your day with an action packed programme from boating and sailing to canoeing, sports and adventure training. You’ll make new friends and be part of a great team

THE AIM OF THE SEA CADET CORPS

 Our aim is: To help young people towards responsible adulthood by encouraging valuable personal attributes and high standards of conduct using a nautical theme based on naval customs

I NEVER HEARD OF THE SEA CADETS IS IT A NEW THING?

We can claim the longest continuous history of any British youth movement, dating back to the Crimean War when sailors returning home from the campaign formed Naval Lads Brigades to help orphans in the sea port back streets.

• So successful were the Brigades in helping disadvantaged youth that the Navy League, a national organisation a membership of a quarter of a million dedicated to supporting the Royal Navy, adopted them in 1910.

• Four years later with sponsorship of the Admiralty, the Sea Cadet Corps was formed.

• Today the Sea Cadets continue to flourish with 400 units nation-wide and a total of 16,000 Cadets. Unique among cadet organisations, although sponsored by the Royal Navy, the Corps is also supported by its own national charity, the Sea Cadet Association which raises funds for the Corps and maintains the Sea Cadet fleet including the Corps’ flagship, the square rigged brig Royalist.

• With the experience of the Sea Cadets under their belts, many ex-Cadets have risen to the very top of their professions. Old boys include such famous names as movie star Sean Connery, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, TV personality Rolph Harris, jazz legend Kenny Ball – not forgetting The Archbishop of Canterbury.

SO WHAT WILL I FIND WHAEN I GET THERE?

When you drop in at your local Sea Cadet Unit you’ll find lots of friendly faces waiting to welcome you aboard. The officers and instructors are all highly trained to make sure you enjoy every aspect of Sea Cadet life – a cut above the local youth club. If you like what you see, and you’re aged 12-18, you can join as a Cadet and start learning the Navy way of life, earning promotion up to Cadet Petty Officer, really the tops! Most units have junior sections for 10-12 year olds to get you started or if you’re over 13 you could opt for the Marine Cadets Detachment and get to grips with the commando skills of the Royal Marines.

So if you’re bored with computer games and TV, why not try a taste of the real thing.

Don’t miss out on a chance to make the most of your quality time – get a bit of the action

SOUNDS GOOD BUT HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE?

You can join at the age of 10 – 18

DO I HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING?

Subs are £18 per quarter or £1 a night 

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A UNIFORM?

•         Two uniforms are provided

•         At a cost of £10

•         After first six weeks

OK SO IF I COME ALONG WHAT WILL I DO?

Give you the best fun you’ve ever had – with a serious side too. Along the way we’ll teach you life skills from cookery to computers, engineering, navigation and the art of seamanship.

But first of all you will be put into new entry in which you will spend six to eight weeks deciding if you like the sea cadets and if it’s going to be for you. In the time you will be taken through every thing you need to know to be a valuable member of the Sea Cadets.

CAN MY FRIENDS/ FAMILY COME ALONG TO?

Yes your friends can come along with and for you Parents we have a parent and supports committee.

DO I HAVE TO JOIN THE NAVY?

No the sea cadets is not part of the ROYAL NAVY so you won’t be pressed ganged in to joining... Although more than 20 percent of new recruits embarking on careers in the Royal Navy are Sea Cadets, the movement is not primarily a pre-service organisation, but sets it sights on equipping young people with the essentials of self reliance, personal discipline and team work which will hold them in good stead whatever career they pursue

SO WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE SEA CADETS?

Why do young people join the Sea Cadets?  Because they want to do something worthwhile - Because they want to belong to the best youth movement around - Because they want to invest in their own community and make the most of what the new millennium may bring - Because they want to meet the challenge of the future with the motto – Ready Aye Ready.