CHAPTER SEVENTHE NAVAL SEA CADET CORPS OFFICERSection 1: The NSCC Officer Corps 0710 - General 0710.1 The NSCC officer corps is composed of dedicated men and women, civilian and military, who are interested in the education and training of American youth, and in furthering the goals and objectives of the NSCC/NLCC. All are volunteers, receiving no pay or allowances. The NSCC rank structure is for the purpose of an NSCC support and seniority system. Accordingly when used, it should clearly identify the NSCC officer as such when identity is not evident, i.e. writing, voice communications, like the armed services, use of NSCC titles is not appropriate in personal business dealings. 0711 - Rank Structure 0711.1 Rank structure of the officer corps generally parallels that of the Navy except that there is no rank in NSCC above the rank of LCDR. NSCC officer ranks are: WO, ENS, LTJG, LT, and LCDR. While not officers, midshipmen are, for administrative purposes, considered to serve in the NSCC officer corps. 0711.2 The initial rank of an officer applicant will normally be to that of an Instructor for the first year. When they have met that and other requirements (21 or over, service, educational, and training), they can be appointed to the rank of Ensign. Waivers to this policy will be made via the chain of command by the unit commanding officer (NSCC Committee Chairman when nominating a prospective unit commanding officer). Only the Executive Director, acting for the National Chairman, may approve and authorize the initial rank to which the applicant will be appointed. Initial appointments in the grade of either LT or LCDR are not normally made. The initial appointment for new unit Commanding Officers will usually be LTJG. 0711.3 Initial appointment in the grade of Warrant Officer (WO) is limited to those individuals who attained the rate of E-6 or above while on active duty or from the Reserves, and are over age 35, received an Honorable discharge, and who wish to instruct in a technical skill, or perform a single function with the unit. A Warrant Officer may request a jump appointment to LTJG after serving successfully in grade for one (1) year or longer, if he/she has met all requirements for the prior rank. Completion of the Officer/Midshipman Study Guide (OMSG) is required prior to appointment to WO. 0720 - NSCC Officer Appointment 0720.1 Military personnel (active duty, reserve or retired) affiliating with a unit (including Navy personnel) must apply for NSCC officer or instructor appointment regardless of present or past military status. Active Reserve, Retired personnel will be enrolled as Instructors if they desire to wear their authorized military uniform. Otherwise they may enroll as an NSCC Officer, wearing the appropriate NSCC uniform. 0721 - Correlation of Rank 0721.1 There is no correlation between rank in the military and rank in the NSCC. Initial appointment in the NSCC may not, therefore, be in the equivalent rank held in the military. In no case will an individual be appointed in a rank above LCDR (see Paragraph 0711.1) except for the Chairman and President. Section 3: Criteria for NSCC Officer/Midshipman Appointment 0730 - Citizenship 0730.1 NSCC officers and midshipmen must be United States citizens. 0731 - Age 0731.1 NSCC officers must be at least 21 and normally not more than 75 years of age. The Executive Director, when requested by the unit commanding officer and/or NSCC Committee Chairman, may waive the age limitation for applicants over 75. 0731.2 Midshipmen must be at least age 18 and not yet have reached age 21. 0732 - Moral Character 0732.1 NSCC officers, instructors and midshipmen must possess high moral standards, adhere to high ethical standards of behavior, be citizens in good standing in the community, and be free of felony conviction. Felony conviction after appointment will normally be cause for revocation of appointment. 0732.2 Officers, instructors and midshipmen must respect the dignity and rights of the individual and provide an environment which is free from all forms of abuse. Any behavior on the part of personnel which de-emphasizes the value of the individual or which otherwise may produce negative results, constitutes oppression, mistreatment, sexual harassment and cruelty, will not be tolerated. 0733 - Physical/Weight Standards 0733. NSCC officers, midshipmen and enrolled (uniformed) instructors have been granted the privilege of wearing the naval officers' uniform, appropriately modified by NSCC insignia, in recognition of their role in furthering the goals of the U.S. Navy in training American youth. It is incumbent upon each to wear the uniform with pride, dignity and respect, presenting a sharp, neat military appearance that reflects credit upon the Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Navy at all times. A key element in this regard is weight control. For this reason, among others, NSCC has established weight standards for officers, midshipmen and uniformed instructors similar to those established by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. Unit Commanding Officers and Regional Directors will insure full compliance with established uniform policy and standards of appearance. While paralleling Navy and Coast Guard standards, NSCC
weight criteria are less stringent. This accommodates the fact that NSCC adult leaders are
volunteers from all walks of life, ranging in age from 21 to well over 75 years old. These
volunteers, as a group, may not, nor are they expected to, meet the rigid medical and
physical requirements prescribed for active duty and reserve personnel. NSCC weight
standards will, however, accommodate the vast majority of adult leaders while maintaining
desired standards of military appearance. Accordingly, officers, midshipmen and uniformed
instructors will conform to the weight standards shown below:
0733.3 Individuals requesting an officer, midshipman, or uniformed instructor appointment in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps must meet the above weight standards and present a sharp, neat military appearance. Commanding Officers may request a waiver for initial appointment for exceptionally well qualified people by submitting a recommendation to the Executive Director, via the chain of command, with a full length side view photograph and justification for the waiver. (Waivers will be considered on a case by case basis under exceptional circumstances). 0733.4 Individuals requesting an officer, midshipman, or uniformed instructor appointment who are unable to meet NSCC weight standards may be enrolled as a non-uniformed instructor, midshipman, or officer. 0733.5 A sharp, neat military appearance will be a factor considered by future promotion boards. Service records must have a current three quarter or full-length photo or one must be submitted with the promotion recommendation. 0733.6 Regional Directors and unit Commanding Officers are responsible for recommending officers, midshipmen and instructors under their command, or requesting assignment to their command, for waiver of weight standards. Waiver requests will include a full length side view photograph and a written statement detailing performance, contributions to the program and future potential of the person for whom the waiver is requested. Endorsements will comment on these factors. All original paperwork requests will be submitted to the NSCC Executive Director, via the chain of command. 0733.3 Physical examinations are required for officer, midshipman, or instructor applicants. Records are kept locally with copies to NHQ. Physicals are for informational purposes to ensure that they are physically able to perform the duties and physical demands of the billets or training evolutions they are to fill. 0734 - Educational/Professional Qualifications 0734.1 Applicants should have educational and professional qualifications which enable them to contribute to the achievement of NSCC goals and objectives in the training and education of American youth. While no particular qualifications are specified, applicants with nautical skills are desired. 0734.2 Applicants for midshipman appointment may be former Naval Sea Cadets (NSCC E-3, or above), JROTC cadets, ROTC midshipmen, or other individuals having qualifications which would be of benefit to the NSCC, and are high school graduates or posses a GED or equivalent. Section 4: NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study Guide 0740 - General 0740.1 The NSCC Officer/Midshipman Study Guide is designed to provide officer/midshipman applicants with a working knowledge of NSCC Regulations, the Corps' other manuals that provide guidance for the program, and the NSCC Information/Action Letters which modify or supplement the Regulations. Applicants must successfully complete the study guide before processing of individual application for appointment will be commenced by National Headquarters. 0740.2 A grade of 3.2, or better, is required for satisfactory completion of the study guide. Applicants will be notified of results on a "PASS/FAIL" basis. Applicants failing to attain a passing mark will be required to resubmit. Section 5: Screening of Applicants 0750 - General 0750.1 The importance of screening applicants cannot be overstated. While the basic responsibility for doing so rests with both the commanding officer and the NSCC Committee Chairman, each adult leader must be screened and monitored to detect behavior traits which might indicate that the individual concerned is not suited for contact with youth in the NSCC training situation. 0751 - Screening Procedures 0751.1 Measures to be taken in screening applicants are: a. Interviews are to be conducted separately by the commanding officer and where possible by the NSCC Committee Chairman. Subjects to be covered include: education, marital status, employment and job history, drinking and drug use habits, previous affiliations with other youth groups, and reasons for wishing to affiliate with the NSCC. b. Each reference listed on the applicant's NSCC Officer/Midshipman Application (NSCADM 003) must be contacted by the unit commanding officer or his representative, using the NSCC Referral Questionnaire (NSCADM 005). Responses are to be kept confidential and marked "for official use only". c. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will normally provide "record of conviction" information, provided requirements of the Privacy Act are observed. Responsibility for contacting one or more of these agencies to obtain background information rests with the unit commanding officer since procedures vary from one location to another. Agencies should be contacted and arrangements made, where possible, to obtain this information. Nationally, NHQ will request a background check on all adults upon their enrollment into the NSCC. Unfavorable results will be further investigated and commented upon by individuals with records. The results of the inquiry/investigation by NHQ and NHQ Representatives will determine the fitness for the individual to continue in the program. Failure of an individual to respond to an inquiry is grounds for dismissal from the program. d. All applicants who state they had prior military service shall submit a copy of their DD-214 (Record of separation/discharge from the armed forces) with the NSCC Officer/Midshipman Application Form (NSCADM 003). 0751.2 Should unfavorable information become available after the applicant has been appointed to officer status, the program provides the means through which the individual's appointment may be terminated. Section 6: Officer/Midshipman Appointments 0760 - General 0760.1 Appointment as an officer, midshipman or instructor in the NSCC can be effected only by the Executive Director acting for the National Chairman. No commanding officer/NSCC Committee Chairman/Council President, or any other person can appoint any individual as a NSCC officer, midshipman or instructor. 0761 - Probationary Appointments 0761.1 Adult applicants, regardless of source or qualifications, will be appointed in a probationary status for one year as an instructor. The purpose of the probationary status is to provide a period of time during which the motivation, suitability and performance of each person entering the NSCC program as an adult leader can be assessed. Only those who can be expected to make meaningful contributions to the NSCC program will receive permanent appointments as officers. Midshipmen will be appointed as NSCC Officer upon reaching age 21 and applying for officer status. The purpose of the probationary appointment program is to insure the quality and competence of the officer corps. Applicants shall be fully advised of their probationary status and NSCC termination policy. 0761.2 Midshipmen and instructors may wear the NSCC uniform (provided they meet the requirements of 0733), be assigned to a billet, and may be fully integrated into unit operations without reservation or restriction. 0761.3 Probationary appointments will be terminated when: a. The individual has completed one year of satisfactory service in a probationary status and has been recommended for appointment to Ensign by the commanding officer. Non-uniformed instructors, uniformed instructors desiring to remain instructors and those that were enrolled as an officer initially (i.e. officers of a forming unit) must fulfill one year of satisfactory service. No Administrative requirements or submission of documentation to NHQ are required. b. The commanding officer/NSCC Committee Chairman is of opinion that the individual concerned does not display the inclination, motivation, appearance or attributes desired in a NSCC adult leader, a recommendation for termination of probationary appointment may be made at any time during the probationary period. The recommendation will be by letter to National Headquarters via the chain of command, with a copy to the individual concerned. National Headquarters will make notification of termination of probationary status, to the individual concerned by letter via the commanding officer. The provisions of Paragraph 0932.2 regarding revocation of appointment do not apply to termination of probationary appointments. c. There is cause as determined by the Executive Director. 0762 - Permanent Appointments 0762.1 Permanent NSCC officer appointments will be automatic to individuals who: a. Have completed one year in a probationary status, and b. Are recommended for appointment by their commanding officer. Recommendations for appointment will be made via the chain of command (unless otherwise directed by the HQ representative) by letter to the Executive Director using the Officer Promotion Evaluation Form (NSCADM 017). In all cases where a waiver is required the request will go via the chain of command. 0763 - Applications for Appointment 0763.1 Midshipman and Instructor original applications will be submitted to National Headquarters by the commanding officer. 0763.2 See the NSCC Administrative Manual for the required documents to be enclosed with the application. 0763.3 Officer applications for new units starting up will be submitted by the NHQ Representative, prospective commanding officer, Regional Director, or the NCC Committee Chairman, via the chain of command, to National Headquarters. The NSCC Officer/Midshipman Application Form (NSCADM 003) will be used. 0763.4 See the NSCC Administrative Manual for the required documents to be enclosed with the application. 0764 - Processing of Applications 0764.1 National Headquarters personnel will review each application and supporting documents for completeness, Incomplete documents will be returned to the unit for corrective action. 0764.2 When documentation is complete, the Executive Director will issue appointments as appropriate. Section 7: Appointment of NSCC Midshipmen to Officer Status 0770 - General 0770.1 Midshipmen may be appointed to officer status in the rank of Ensign upon reaching age 21. Only midshipmen exhibiting the qualities of leadership, military bearing and the high standards of performance desired in members of the NSCC officer corps will be so appointed. 0770.2 Appointment of midshipmen to officer status in the grade of Ensign are original appointments and, as such, selection board action is not required. This also starts their time in service, setting the NSCC clock to zero, for future promotions. 0770.3 Unless a waiver is required, commanding officers may forward recommendations for officer appointment to the Executive Director. In those cases where NHQ Representatives desire to comment on all officer appointments, and updated NSCC Officer/Midshipman Application Form (NSCADM 003) or NSCC Officer Performance/Evaluation Form (NSCADM 017) should be enclosed. Upon receipt, the Executive Director will issue an appointment to Ensign. 0780 - General 0780.1 Seniority among officers and midshipmen will be based on the length of service in rank, with the officer having the longest period of service in the same rank considered to be senior. When two officers in the same rank have equal amounts of service in rank, the officer with the longest continuous period of service in the officer corps will be senior. Section 9: Officer Promotion Criteria/Procedures 0790 - Selection Board 0790.1 Selection to Ensign (O-1) is an appointment to officer status and selection to LTJG (O-2) is an administrative procedure, both of which are completed by NHQ any time during the year. Selection for promotion to LT (O-3) or LCDR (O-4) rank will be by action of a selection board, normally convened in December by the National Chairman. 0790.2 Selection boards will be convened at least once each year, and more frequently if in the best interests of the officer corps. The Executive Director will promulgate convening dates. 0790.3 The Deputy Director (or Training Director) will normally serve as Recorder of the selection board; and, with the assistance of the Assistant Recorder(s), shall prepare the necessary documentation for the board's consideration. 0791 - Selection Criteria 0791.1 Selection for promotion is based on needs of the Corps and individual performance. Each officer recommended for promotion must, in addition to meeting criteria as listed below, be fully deserving of promotion to the next higher rank. If the promotion system is to be credible and meaningful, promotion recommendations must be based on performance, leadership, and contributions to the unit and overall NSCC program, not longevity or friendship. In extraordinary circumstances where an officer has been unable to meet the specified criteria in the NSCC Regulations, a waiver may be submitted with the NSCC Officer Promotion/Evaluation Form (NSCADM 017) giving full justification why the criteria should be waived. The waiver recommendation will then be submitted to the promotion board for consideration. Upon convening the annual selection board, the National Chairman will provide guidance to the board members in the form of a precept which will emphasize those factors deemed most important in the selection process such as effectiveness of unit training, enrollments, etc. Criteria which must be met to be considered for promotion are:
0792 - Accelerated Promotions 0792.1 The only accelerated (jump) promotions in NSCC are for instructors or warrant officers who meet all the requirements for promotion to LTJG through LCDR. 0793 - Promotion Recommendations 0793.1 Commanding officers will submit promotion recommendations on the NSCC Promotion/Evaluation Form (NSCADM 017) for unit officers to the Executive Director, via the chain of command, through the cognizant Regional Director and NHQ Representative. NSCC Committee Chairmen may submit recommendations on the NSCC Promotion/Evaluation Form (NSCADM 017) for unit commanding officers to the Executive Director via the chain of command for their recommendation. Regional Directors will submit promotion recommendations on the NSCC Promotion/Evaluation Form (NSCADM 017), for staff members or unit commanding officers, to the Executive Director, via the cognizant NHQ representative. Regional Directors must take the initiative to insure a promotion recommendation is submitted on all completely eligible Commanding Officers. 0794 - Selection Board Action 0794.1 Only those officers meeting prescribed criteria will be considered for promotion by the Selection Board. When the National Chairman has approved Selection Board action, the Executive Director will publish the promotion list and issue promotion letters. Section 10 - Officer/Midshipman Performance Evaluation 07100 - General 07100.1 Written evaluation of officer, midshipman and instructor performance will be made annually on 31 March and upon detachment from a unit or regional staff. The evaluation format is designed for use as a counseling tool and to provide a performance history for promotion purposes. The NSCC Promotion/Evaluation Recommendation Form (NSCADM 017) will be used. The form will be signed by the commanding officer preparing the evaluation and by the individual being evaluated. The original of the evaluation form will be forwarded to National Headquarters to arrive no later than 1 May or within 30 days after detachment, as appropriate. 07101 - Evaluation Responsibilities 07101.1 Evaluation responsibilities are:
Section 11: NSCC Officer Retired List 07110 - General 07110.1 The NSCC Officer Retired List was established as of 01 January 1992 to provide a means of recognizing dedicated service on the part of adult leaders. Transfer to retired status permits individuals to retain their NSCC Officer identity and to support the Cadet Corps programs as their circumstances permit. 07110.2 Officers wishing to be placed on the Retired List must:
07110.3 Status and privileges of officers on the Retired List are:
07110.4 Officers on the retired list must keep National Headquarters advised of current address and telephone numbers, and changes thereto as they occur. Section 12 - Enrollment of NSCC Instructors 07120 - General 07120.1 Instructors are not members of the officer corps, but are enrolled with application to National Headquarters. The onus is on the commanding officer to ensure individuals so enrolled are carefully screened and have the desired moral/behavioral traits to work with youth. 07121 - Enrollment 07121.1 Individuals not yet 21 years of age will not normally be appointed to instructor status. Waivers may be granted to military personnel, members of ROTC, and to other individuals possessing essential skills. 07121.2 Instructor enrollments will be forwarded to National Headquarters, using the NSCC Officer/Midshipman Application Form (NSCADM 003), along with the NSCC Adult Volunteer Enrollment Form (NSCADM 006), NSCC Officer/Midshipman Questionnaires (NSCADM 005), full length side photograph (if going to be a uniformed instructor) and enrollment fees. 07122 - Uniforms 07132.1 Enrolled instructors may wear the NSCC Instructor's uniform as prescribed in NSCC/NLCC Uniform Regulations, provided they maintain proper grooming and meet NSCC Height/Weight Standards in section 0733. If not within standards, they will wear the alternative uniform. |