25 February 2002

NSCC INFORMATION LETTER 3-02

1. ALL HANDS NOTE: Cadet costs for the NSCC International Exchange Program (IEP) for 2002 are again significantly reduced as a result of federal funding support. These lower costs will hopefully continue to improve cadet opportunity, generate greater interest, and result in enough applications to fill all quotas. To better serve cadets and Senior Escort Officers (SEO), assist in travel arrangements, and ensure equitability in cadet selection, NSCC NHQ will continue with the assignment of a Director to work for continuing improvements and expansion of the NSCC's International Exchange Program. NSCC LCDR Mike Campbell, Regional Director for Region 1-2, remains as the IEP Director. The IEP Director reports to the NSCC Deputy Director for all IEP matters. A committee has been established to receive and review applications, make selection recommendations to NHQ, and to assist in making international flight arrangements. Selection criteria is included at TAB A to encl (1) for your reference. The IEP Director, NSCC LCDR Mike Campbell is responsible for chairing this committee. General information for this years' program immediately follows.

• For below listed INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS (encl (2) through (11)), NSCC NHQ will pay for travel costs from major airports nearest cadet departure home locations to host country international arrival airports. The only costs to cadets will be host country exchange fees (which average $150 for two weeks) and personal spending money. Prerequisites recognize more senior cadets; those who have a greater longevity in the NSCC program, have demonstrated a commitment to the goals of the program, matriculated to leadership positions, and who have maintained in their home communities outstanding records of scholarship and citizenship. The enclosure (1) 2002 Cadet/SEO International Exchange Application package is to be used for all applicants for exchanges detailed in enclosures (2) through (11). All applications for these "adventure of a lifetime opportunities" will go before a selection committee, selectees and non- selectees will be notified in a most timely manner, and for those selected, travel arrangements will be made for them. A non-refundable $150 deposit, which will be applied towards host country exchange fees or cadet personal expenses, will be required from each cadet at the time of selection to confirm his or her quota. If a selectee cannot go, this non-refundable deposit will be applied towards costs to cancel and/or reschedule airline fares. If the cadet goes, this money will be applied to the selectees host country exchange fees. If there is no exchange fee, this $150 goes back to the cadet for his personal spending. Specific guidance regarding deposits will be provided for each exchange following selections. We will need senior escort officers as well and their applications are to go before the same selection committee. For those desiring to be Senior Escort Officers, call NHQ Capt Nyland (703) 243-6910 or e-mail: HNYLAND@navyleague.org and advise of your interest. Application instructions and information regarding each exchange are as per enclosures (2) through (11). At TAB B to encl (1) are ISCA Forms 1 and 2. Some ISCA host nations require these forms upon reporting. Follow instructions per encl (2) through (11) for each nation and exchange. And, all applicants are referred to www.usnscc.org and click International Exchange Program, for more detailed instructions and hints regarding completion of applications. Senior Escort Officer travel expenses will be paid for by NHQ.
  
  
• POLICY REGARDING REPEAT PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS. NSCC IEP goals are to afford as many cadets as possible the opportunity to participate in the IEP during their tenure as a cadet in the NSCC. It is also an NSCC goal to recognize and honor (by giving preference) those cadets who have demonstrated commitment to the goals of the program, matriculated to more senior leadership positions, and who have maintained in their home communities outstanding records of scholarship and citizenship as stated above. The selection committee is charged to balance these two goals using the following policy guidelines:
  
  
  • Cadets may apply for repeat participation in successive years. · All applications will go before the selections committee and all applications will be scored (encl (1) refers).
  • Priority in filling quotas will be given to first time applicants who score well.
  • First time applicants scoring poorly will compete with high scoring repeat applicants for remaining quotas.
  • Selection committee is charged to select those cadets whom they judge to be the most deserving IAW program goals stated above, and those who will be the best NSCC program ambassadors with our ISCA host nations, and those cadets who will best support their SEO for the particular exchange.
    
    
• MIDSHIPMEN ARE GENERALLY NOT ELIGIBLE AND WILL ONLY BE ENTERTAINED FOR A QUOTA IF THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CADETS TO FILL AVAILABLE QUOTAS.
  
  
• CANADA EAST AND WEST opportunities remain essentially unchanged from previous years. Cadets are responsible for getting to points of debarkation, either Vancouver or Norfolk, and for paying their own way to get there. A $50 deposit to NHQ with the request for training authority is required. Pre-requisites are as per the enclosures and requests for training are to be forwarded first to the Senior Escort Officer, who will in turn further forward to NHQ for order writing. There is no selection committee process for the Canadian Exchanges and acceptance protocol will be first come first served. Follow directions as contained in enclosures (12) and (13).
  
  
• INTERNATIONAL HOSTED IN NORFOLK AND CANADA WEST HOSTED AT FORT LEWIS opportunities remain essentially unchanged from previous years. Cadets are responsible for their own transportation to and from and a $50 deposit to the SEO with the request for training authority is required. Pre-requisites are as per the enclosures and requests for training are to be forwarded first to the Senior Escort Officer, who will in turn further forward to NHQ for order writing. There is no selection committee and acceptance protocol will be first come first served. Follow directions in enclosures (14) and (15).
  
  
• UNITED KINGDOM EXCHANGE WITH LCDR DAVE FARROW (REGDIR 6-4). Cadets must pay their own airfare from home to England. There will be no cost to cadets once in England except for personal spending. LCDR Farrow will assist in making travel arrangements by use of a consolidator. Submit NSCTNG 001 or 002 to LCDR Farrow. Protocol is first come, first served for all qualified subject to SEO LCDR Farrow's approval. There is no competition for this exchange, do not send applications (encl (1) package) to LCDR Campbell. Follow directions in encl (16).
  
  
• LAST BUT NOT LEAST, A VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: There are always instances of truly outstanding cadets who should get the opportunity, but for some reason don't meet all the pre-requisites or criteria. To that end, prerequisites and participation criteria may be waived for outstanding cadets. Submit waiver requests with applications when you think appropriate.

2. During summer 2002 there will be many opportunities for qualified Naval Sea Cadets to participate in various International Exchange programs. The following is the list of the exchange programs for 2002. The spring exchange opportunity with Australia was previously advertised via internet posting to all Unit CO's. Details for that exchange are included for information purposes only, in that we expect that exchange may be offered again. Summary information for all 2002 International Exchanges is as provided below.

* Dates and details pending

3. Application procedures are as per the enclosures. Cadets desiring to apply for more than one program can indicate second and third choices in enclosure (1) choices. Only one program per cadet will be approved. For those cadets traveling at their own expense (encl (12) through (15)), do not purchase airline tickets until notified of selection by NHQ. This is generally accomplished by you receiving your orders. For those cadets traveling at their own expense (encl (16), do not purchase airline tickets until you have coordinated with LCDR Farrow. In all cases stay away from non- refundable tickets! NHQ cannot reimburse for cancellations, regardless of reason.

4. For all cadets applying for International Exchanges encl (2) through (11) and sending application packages to LCDR Campbell in CT, if using FEDEX, DO NOT CHECK THAT A RECEIPT SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED. This only delays your package. And please note that all applications must be received by LCDR Campbell not later than May 17. Do not delay sending your application because of pending recommendations…..get it submitted soonest. The selection committee meets that weekend and applications received after that date will not be considered.

5. For all cadets selected or approved for International Exchange Program participation, additional guidance and/or information will be as provided either by NHQ with orders, or by the Senior Escort Officer (SEO)/COTC for the exchange. For questions regarding quota availability, call NHQ Capt Nyland or 1SG Bunting at (703) 243-6910 or the listed SEO. No exchange will take place unless escort requirements are met. Amplifying information will be as provided by Senior Escort Officers (SEO)/COTC, or as published in updates to this information letter.

H.J. Nyland

Distribution:
NSCC Unit Commanding Officers
NSCC Regional Directors and Headquarters Representatives