How to Join

Begin Your Sea Cadet Journey

Joining the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a straightforward process designed to help prospective cadets and their families learn about the program before making a commitment.

We encourage all interested families to attend a Shadow Day during one of our monthly drill weekends. This provides an opportunity to meet our staff and cadets, participate in activities, and determine whether Sea Cadets is a good fit for your family.

Our goal is to ensure that every cadet begins their Sea Cadet experience informed, prepared, and excited for the opportunities ahead.

1. Eligibility Requirements:

To join the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident

• Be between the ages of 10 and 18

• Be enrolled in a public school, private school, or certified homeschool program

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0

• Be of good moral character

• Be unmarried and remain unmarried while enrolled

• Have no felony convictions

Applicants ages 10–13 join the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC), while applicants ages 13–18 join the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC).

2. Experience Sea Cadets for a Day

Prospective cadets are invited to attend a Shadow Day during one of our scheduled drill weekends.

Rather than simply observing, prospective cadets participate alongside our enrolled cadets and experience many of the activities that make up a typical drill weekend.

While prospective cadets are training with the unit, parents and guardians will have an opportunity to meet our staff, learn more about the program, and ask questions regarding membership, training opportunities, expectations, and next steps.

Because our unit meets aboard a controlled-access military installation, Shadow Days must be coordinated with the unit in advance so that access can be arranged.

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3. Enrollment:

Once a family decides to join, the enrollment process includes:

• Completion of the Sea Cadet application package

• Medical examination and completing the USNSCC medical forms

• Submission of required supporting documents

• Payment of enrollment fees

• Processing through National Headquarters

After enrollment is approved, cadets receive access to Sea Cadet online systems, used for online training courses, and will eventually become eligible for advanced training opportunities.

4. Fees

There is an annual enrollment fee of $400. (Can be made under the Payments tab)

This covers the $125 HQ fee (insurance, membership, and cadet ID), as well as the cost for the name plate, name tapes, ribbon racks and the ribbons each cadet will earn during the course of their cadet experience. It also covers administrative costs and unit supplies.

The annual re-enrollment fee is $200.

Families are asked to purchase certain uniform accessories and personal items such as work boots, dress shoes, running shoes, PT outfits, etc.; see the Required Personal Purchase section for the complete list and suggestions on where to purchase from.

Advanced Training (AT) and Recruit training (RT) fees: These costs vary, ranging between $175 – $350 per training opportunity depending on their duration. Cadets are expected to attend at least one AT per year after completing RT as a requirement in the Sea Cadets.

5. Approval and Onboarding:

Once all application materials have been submitted and reviewed, enrollment must be approved by the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps National Headquarters.

Upon approval, each cadet will:

• Be assigned an official Sea Cadet identification number.

• Receive access to Quarterdeck, the Sea Cadet Corps' membership and training management system.

• Receive access to POLARIS, the online learning and training platform used for advancement coursework and required training.

• Receive an official U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps identification card.

• Begin receiving uniforms, equipment, and onboarding guidance from the unit staff.

New cadets will then begin their Sea Cadet journey by participating in monthly drills, learning the fundamentals of the program, and preparing for future advancement and training opportunities.