Frequently Asked Questions

 Program:

• What are the eligibility requirements to join the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp?

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident

  • Age requirements:

    • League Cadets: age 10 and started the 5th grade

    • Sea Cadets: age 13 and completed the 8th grade

  • Must be enrolled in a public, private school, or a certified home school program

    • Minimum 2.5 GPA

  • ​Must be of good moral character and free of criminal convictions

  • Alcohol-free, drug-free, gang-free, and remain that way through the program

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• What are the commitments required to remain in the program?​

  • Uphold the USNSCC Code of Conduct

  • 75% drill attendance requirement

    • ​including overnight

  • Monthly passing Physical Readiness Test ​

    • Must be Level 3 to promote and attend advanced training courses

  • Online coursework (each rank)

  • Online exams (each rank)

  • 2.5+ GPA in school

  • Advanced Training (1 minimum per year)

  • Promotion - ideally every 4-6 months

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• Where do the Colorado Sea Cadets meet for monthly drills? We are based at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado at the Naval Reserve Center (NRC). Monthly drills occur onsite at the NRC and offsite as special events and activities require. 

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• Is the program a recruiting program for the U.S. Navy? The goal of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet program is to introduce cadets to Navy life and jobs available through the U. S. Navy. 

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• Do cadets have to join the Navy/military upon completion? No, there is no obligation to join the U.S. Navy or any military branch. 

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• Does the program help with resumes and college applications? Yes, participation in the U. S. Naval Sea Cadet program demonstrates dedication, provides leadership experience, and varied skills in a variety of trainings and activities. 

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• If I choose to join the U.S. Navy upon completion of the program (high school graduation), do I enter at a high pay grade? Yes, many graduates of the Sea Cadet program enter the U.S. Navy up to two pay grades higher - depending on their Sea Cadet rank - than if they were to enlist without the program. 

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• Is Boot Camp required?

  • For Sea Cadets (9th - 12th grade) - Recruit Training (RT) is required as a prerequisite to Advanced Trainings and rank advancement

  • For League Cadets (5th grade - 8th grade) - Navy League Orientation (NLO) is optional and does not prohibit advancement in rank​​​

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• What if I play sports and have weekend commitments? We encourage all cadets to manage their time and commitments according to their priorities. You are encouraged to attend drill before, after, and in between sporting events to maintain the 75%+ attendance requirement and commit to attend make-up drill sessions as offered. 

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• Am I required to stay overnight at monthly drills? Yes, the unit's full drill weekend consists of all day Saturday, overnight, and Sunday as training goes to ~21:00 (9:00PM) on Saturday and starts as early as 05:30 on Sunday morning. 

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Investment / Fees: 

• What is the enrollment fee? As a subsidized non-profit youth program, we strive to keep all fees as low as possible. Please be aware of the following investment fees associated with the Colorado Sea Cadet program:

  • New enrollment fee of $265 - covers the cost of cadet registration with HQ, Type III uniforms, dress uniforms, annual ID, and required uniform accessories.

  • Annual renewal fee of $160 due at the annual anniversary of joining to aid in uniform changes

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• What are the monthly drill fees?​

  • Monthly drill fees of ~$50 (depends on location, activities, and transportation needs)

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• What are the advanced training, winter and summer, fees?​

  • Annual advanced training cost an average of $250 for a full week training. 

    • NOTE: travel to/from advanced training is not included in the program fee and is the responsibility of the parent/guardian/family. Prices vary depending on where training is hosted. 

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• Aside from the program fees, what am I responsible for purchasing while in the program? You are required to provide your own "personal items" of t-shirts, undergarments, boots, and dress shoes. We encourage you to visit our supply closet prior to investing in these personal items to see if other cadets have donated their outgrown gently-used items. Cadets are also responsible for their own sewing of badges on uniforms. 

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