CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

A. Background. All training is in support of the goals and objectives of the NSCC. They are:

  • To develop an interest and skill in seamanship and seagoing subjects.

  • To develop an appreciation for our Navy’s history, customs, traditions, and its significant role in national defense.

  • To develop positive qualities of patriotism, courage, self-reliance, confidence, pride in our nation and other attributes which contribute to development of strong moral character, good citizenship traits, and a drug-free, gang-free lifestyle.

  • To present the advantages and prestige of a military career.

The NSCC training program permits cadets and adults to train aboard military installations and ships, attend selected military schools and seminars, and participate in international exchange programs and other programs in support of these goals and objectives. Academic curricula provide rate training with unclassified Navy correspondence courses supplemented by classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Cadets who successfully complete the NSCC training program may enlist in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps at advanced pay grades. This training also is beneficial to cadets who apply for officer training programs. The Advancement and Training Manual, the Escort Officers Handbook both support the NSCC training program, along with the Summer Training Schedule promulgated annually each spring, and the COTC guidance letter also promulgated annually each spring to all COTC’s for that year. The Advancement and Training Manual and the Escort Officers Handbook provide general (although detailed) guidance considered non-perishable, while the Summer Training Schedule and COTC letter provides guidance and policy unique to the particular training year. Guidance for administration and completion of correspondence courses is as separately promulgated in the Correspondence Course Manual. NSCC training is also supported at the NSCC website, resources.seacadets.org and the NSCC Training website at compass.seacadets.org.

B. Unit Orientation. NSCC units form as divisions, squadrons, or battalions, depending on the general orientation of the supporting naval activity and the interests of the cadets. However, all cadets follow a core curriculum that provides basic orientation in the mission and career opportunities available in each of the Navy’s or Coast Guard’s professional specialties.

a. NSCC Divisions are oriented in general toward the surface Navy or Coast Guard. Cadets will complete the Navy’s Seamanship Correspondence Course and participate in traditional activities associated with ships and maritime service.

b. NSCC Squadrons are oriented toward Navy/Coast Guard aviation. Cadets may complete the Navy’s Basic Aviation Correspondence Course in lieu of the Seamanship Correspondence Course and participate in traditional activities associated with Naval and other service component aviation programs.

c. NSCC Battalions are oriented toward Navy Sea Bee and Medical Training. Cadets will first complete the Navy’s Seamanship Correspondence Course. After completing the Seamanship Course they will be enrolled in the Navy’s Sea Bee Combat Handbook, volumes I and II. For Medical training, Navy’s Basic Medical Correspondence Course may be available. They will also participate in traditional activities associated with Navy Sea Bees and the Navy’s Medical Corps.

C. Precedence of Service Directives. Should conflicts arise between Navy/Coast Guard directives and the NSCC training program, the former take precedence. Conflicting NSCC directives will be held in abeyance until changed.

D. Relationship to Other Services. NSCC training is oriented toward the maritime services to include training at Maritime Academies and onboard NOAA ships. Cadets may also train with other services (Army, Marine Corps, Air Force) when there are no Navy or Coast Guard facilities within a reasonable distance, provided that the training is in a field that has a Navy or Coast Guard counterpart (medical, aviation, etc) and supports the goals and objectives of the NSCC.

NSCC units may participate in joint training with school-base ROTC/JROTC programs and other youth organizations when such training is mutually beneficial.

E. Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC). The NLCC program is supported by it’s own basic syllabus that permits 11-13 year olds to train in nautical fields and attend selected summer training, but not to the extent afforded by the NSCC. The basic syllabus is provided by NHQ. Additionally, NLCC cadets may participate in an advanced NLCC Orientation course based on the USCG Small Boat training course.

NLCC cadets may train aboard Navy and Coast Guard activities on the same basis that authorizes use of facilities for the NSCC, but such training may not interfere with NSCC training. The two types of NLCC units are:

1. Training Ships – Independent units of 15 or more cadets that train separately, but are affiliated with nearby NSCC units.

2. Companies – Units that are part of NSCC Divisions, Squadrons, or Battalions, but lack sufficient enrollment to form Training Ships. Regardless of numbers, training is in accordance with the prepared NLCC syllabus.