Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
WHAT IS SEA CADET CG GROUP PORTLAND DIVISION A PART OF AND WHAT IS THEIR MISSION?
"...through organization and cooperation with the Department of the Navy, to encourage and aid American youth to develop, train them in seagoing skills, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance and kindred virtues." NSCC Charter - 36 USC 1541
Our Division, as part of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps has been committed to providing American youth with a drug and alcohol free environment to foster their leadership abilities, broaden their horizons through hands-on training and guide them to becoming mature young adults.
Membership in the Sea Cadets allows teenagers to sample military life with no obligation to join any branch of the armed forces. Should they decide to enlist in the Navy or Coast Guard, their training may allow them to enter at an advanced pay grade. The Naval Sea Cadet Corps affords equal opportunity for participation to all American youth, without regard to race, color, religion or sex.
WHAT WILL THE CADETS DO IN THIS DIVISION?
Through Sea Cadet Leadership, the objectives of this program include developing an interest and skill in basic seamanship and its naval adaptations, while learning the value of citizenship, patriotism, courage, self-reliance, teamwork and accountability. While commitment to the program is important, they are under no obligation whatsoever to military service.
Cadets train aboard the ships and shore activities of the Navy and Coast Guard, and are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to wear Navy uniforms (NWUs) customized with the Naval Sea Cadet Corps insignia. The NSCC training program provides the lessons, physical and mental tests, and written examinations for regular promotion. Movement through the ranks is monitored and fostered by mutual effort between the instructors and each cadet.
Patriotic events such as Veterans Day will include marching in a parade as part of the unit or as a member of the Color Guard. During drill events, Cadets are encouraged to work on advancement and qualifications. Off drill, they may earn awards by participating in volunteer organizations, maintaining high academic marks, or consistently maintaining a high physical fitness level.
WHAT ARE THE FEES INVOLVED?
Fees for both Sea Cadets and League Cadets drill weekends are currently $25 per weekend to cover food costs and dues. Initial fees may vary depending on uniform item acquisition and insurance. Please inquire with the Commanding Officer for specifics. We make every effort to accommodate financial needs and individual requirements.
WHO ARE THE NAVY LEAGUE CADET CORPS?
Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) are boys and girls at least 11 but not yet 14 years old, interested in the sea and ships. NLCC persons learn alongside the older Sea Cadets (although maintaining a separate rank structure) and practice such nautical skills as knot tying and splicing, signaling, water safety and swimming, first-aid and even fire fighting. In their communities they may be asked to march in parades, and appear at fairs and other local activities. In meetings they discuss naval history, customs, traditions and leadership.
ARE THERE SPECIAL ACTIVITIES?
League Cadets participate with the Sea Cadets in this division for most drill activities. The local Commander will arrange field trips to military bases, ships and other interesting places such as the State House in Augusta at which they are welcome. Cadets are often asked to participate in community events such as Wreaths Across America and the USCG Boat Safe event.
DO THE NAVY LEAGUE CADETS WEAR UNIFORMS AND EARN PROMOTIONS?
Navy League Cadets wear modified uniforms with NLCC patches, rank insignia and ribbons. The NLCC training program provides the lessons, physical and mental tests, and written examinations for regular promotion. In general, cadets advance in rank about every six months by passing the requirements in the course.
WHAT IS THE BACK STORY RE. SEA CADET AND LEAGUE CADET AS A WHOLE?
Sea Cadet organizations exist in most of the maritime nations of the world. Recognizing the value of these organizations in educating youth in maritime matters, the Department of the Navy requested the Navy League of the United States to establish a similar program for American youth.
The Navy League agreed and formally established the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) and Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) in 1958. Congress federally incorporated the Naval Sea Cadet Corps on September 10, 1962 under Public Law 87-655 (36 USC 1541).
Today, the NSCC has formed partnerships with organizations such as the Foundation for Teaching Economics and the Flying Midshipman Association to offer cadets broader opportunities in areas of leadership and aviation. The NSCC also took an active part in the creation of the International Sea Cadet Association (ISCA). The ISCA is an association of Sea Cadet Corps' from around the world, whose main objective is to facilitate exchanges of cadets between member countries.
OUR HISTORY
The division was formed under Captain Thomas Myers and the Casco Bay Navy League and LTJG Roger Sabourin as its first Commanding Officer. The division held its first drill at the USCG base in South Portland Maine on September 1, 2000 ... it was also the Commanding Officer's birthday.
The division started with 6 cadets, two officers and two instructors. Today we have 32 cadets, five officers, three instructors and are still growing.
Since our beginning in Building #5 on the US Coast Guard Base, this division has completed CPR Training, First Aid, Rifle Qualifications and Swim Qualifications twice a year. The swim qualifications are performed at the South Portland Maine Recreational Center with the help of Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Dana Anderson who is a friend to the Sea Cadet Corps.
We have also been aboard every type vessel that the CG Sector No. NE has at their base here in South Portland. We have trained on all assets including Station Portsmouth, the Aids to Navigation Team South Portland, the CG Cutter Marcus Hannah, CG Cutters Wrangle and Jefferson Island and CG Cutter Shackle.
"...through organization and cooperation with the Department of the Navy, to encourage and aid American youth to develop, train them in seagoing skills, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance and kindred virtues." NSCC Charter - 36 USC 1541
Our Division, as part of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps has been committed to providing American youth with a drug and alcohol free environment to foster their leadership abilities, broaden their horizons through hands-on training and guide them to becoming mature young adults.
Membership in the Sea Cadets allows teenagers to sample military life with no obligation to join any branch of the armed forces. Should they decide to enlist in the Navy or Coast Guard, their training may allow them to enter at an advanced pay grade. The Naval Sea Cadet Corps affords equal opportunity for participation to all American youth, without regard to race, color, religion or sex.
WHAT WILL THE CADETS DO IN THIS DIVISION?
Through Sea Cadet Leadership, the objectives of this program include developing an interest and skill in basic seamanship and its naval adaptations, while learning the value of citizenship, patriotism, courage, self-reliance, teamwork and accountability. While commitment to the program is important, they are under no obligation whatsoever to military service.
Cadets train aboard the ships and shore activities of the Navy and Coast Guard, and are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to wear Navy uniforms (NWUs) customized with the Naval Sea Cadet Corps insignia. The NSCC training program provides the lessons, physical and mental tests, and written examinations for regular promotion. Movement through the ranks is monitored and fostered by mutual effort between the instructors and each cadet.
Patriotic events such as Veterans Day will include marching in a parade as part of the unit or as a member of the Color Guard. During drill events, Cadets are encouraged to work on advancement and qualifications. Off drill, they may earn awards by participating in volunteer organizations, maintaining high academic marks, or consistently maintaining a high physical fitness level.
WHAT ARE THE FEES INVOLVED?
Fees for both Sea Cadets and League Cadets drill weekends are currently $25 per weekend to cover food costs and dues. Initial fees may vary depending on uniform item acquisition and insurance. Please inquire with the Commanding Officer for specifics. We make every effort to accommodate financial needs and individual requirements.
WHO ARE THE NAVY LEAGUE CADET CORPS?
Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) are boys and girls at least 11 but not yet 14 years old, interested in the sea and ships. NLCC persons learn alongside the older Sea Cadets (although maintaining a separate rank structure) and practice such nautical skills as knot tying and splicing, signaling, water safety and swimming, first-aid and even fire fighting. In their communities they may be asked to march in parades, and appear at fairs and other local activities. In meetings they discuss naval history, customs, traditions and leadership.
ARE THERE SPECIAL ACTIVITIES?
League Cadets participate with the Sea Cadets in this division for most drill activities. The local Commander will arrange field trips to military bases, ships and other interesting places such as the State House in Augusta at which they are welcome. Cadets are often asked to participate in community events such as Wreaths Across America and the USCG Boat Safe event.
DO THE NAVY LEAGUE CADETS WEAR UNIFORMS AND EARN PROMOTIONS?
Navy League Cadets wear modified uniforms with NLCC patches, rank insignia and ribbons. The NLCC training program provides the lessons, physical and mental tests, and written examinations for regular promotion. In general, cadets advance in rank about every six months by passing the requirements in the course.
WHAT IS THE BACK STORY RE. SEA CADET AND LEAGUE CADET AS A WHOLE?
Sea Cadet organizations exist in most of the maritime nations of the world. Recognizing the value of these organizations in educating youth in maritime matters, the Department of the Navy requested the Navy League of the United States to establish a similar program for American youth.
The Navy League agreed and formally established the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) and Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) in 1958. Congress federally incorporated the Naval Sea Cadet Corps on September 10, 1962 under Public Law 87-655 (36 USC 1541).
Today, the NSCC has formed partnerships with organizations such as the Foundation for Teaching Economics and the Flying Midshipman Association to offer cadets broader opportunities in areas of leadership and aviation. The NSCC also took an active part in the creation of the International Sea Cadet Association (ISCA). The ISCA is an association of Sea Cadet Corps' from around the world, whose main objective is to facilitate exchanges of cadets between member countries.
OUR HISTORY
The division was formed under Captain Thomas Myers and the Casco Bay Navy League and LTJG Roger Sabourin as its first Commanding Officer. The division held its first drill at the USCG base in South Portland Maine on September 1, 2000 ... it was also the Commanding Officer's birthday.
The division started with 6 cadets, two officers and two instructors. Today we have 32 cadets, five officers, three instructors and are still growing.
Since our beginning in Building #5 on the US Coast Guard Base, this division has completed CPR Training, First Aid, Rifle Qualifications and Swim Qualifications twice a year. The swim qualifications are performed at the South Portland Maine Recreational Center with the help of Parks and Recreation Director Mr. Dana Anderson who is a friend to the Sea Cadet Corps.
We have also been aboard every type vessel that the CG Sector No. NE has at their base here in South Portland. We have trained on all assets including Station Portsmouth, the Aids to Navigation Team South Portland, the CG Cutter Marcus Hannah, CG Cutters Wrangle and Jefferson Island and CG Cutter Shackle.
