Sea Cadets (United Kingdom)

thumb|[[Queen Elizabeth II and Admiral Sir Jonathon Band in 2006 to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets]]

thumb|Lt. Commander John Edwards, RNR (SCC), Lt. Mario Oliviera, RNR (SCC), Sub-Lt. Colvin Manning, RNR (SCC), and the Guard of TS Admiral Somers parade at [[Ordnance Island, Bermuda for the completion of Dodge Morgan's record-breaking circumnavigation of the world aboard the American Promise on 11 April 1986.]]

The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), usually shortened to Sea Cadets, is a national youth charity operating in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Malta and Bermuda. Cadets follow an ethos, training plan and rank structure similar to that of the Royal Navy, and are recognised by the UK Ministry of Defence.

History

In 1854, a vicar in Whitstable, Kent, returned from the Crimean War and founded an orphanage where sailors taught nautical skills to prepare orphans for future careers. Multiple similar orphanages were founded across the country, and the organisation became known as the Naval Lads' Brigade. In 1899 Queen Victoria presented £10 (equivalent to £1,670 in 2026) to the Windsor Unit to purchase uniforms. Located at Admiralty House, Bermuda, it was followed by two further units (TS Venture at the former Roman Catholic chapel of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda and TS Admiral Somers at Convict Bay, St. George's, another former Admiralty property).

On 31 March 1980 the Ministry of Defence approved the admission of girls into the Sea Cadet Corps. The successful integration of girls into the Sea Cadet Corps led to the dissolution of the Girls Nautical Training Corps in 1992.

The ethos is underpinned by the Sea Cadet Values which are: Courage, Commitment, Discipline, Respect, Loyalty, Honesty, and Integrity. These are taught by staff throughout the time cadets are with a unit; chaplains will also take a lead in such delivery.

Sea Cadets

For 12 to 18-year-olds, young people can join as a Sea Cadet and work their way up through the training programme.

Eastern (including Malta)
Northern (including Northern Ireland and Bermuda)
Southern (including the Channel Islands & Falkland Islands)
North West (including the Isle of Man)
London
South West

Volunteers fulfil roles such as water sports instructors, fundraisers, administrative staff, etc. Sea Cadets has both uniformed adult volunteers and non-uniformed adult volunteers.

Training regime

thumb|A Cadet 1st Class in No.1 Uniform

Skills learned in a cadet's time in the Sea Cadets fall into four groups: (i) unit section, (ii) waterborne section, (iii) community and citizenship section, and (iv) outdoor and recreation section.

Ranks and rates

From new entry through to able cadet, Sea Cadets are promoted based on their completion of various task-based modules. The ranks to progress through are: new entry, cadet, cadet 1st class, ordinary cadet, and able cadet. The non-commissioned officer ranks are leading cadet and petty officer cadet.

{| class="wikitable"

|- style="text-align:center;"

!Sea Cadet Unit Officers (NCOs)

|Warrant Officer 1 (SCC) RNR

|Warrant Officer 2 (SCC) RNR

|Chief Petty Officer (SCC)

|Petty Officer (SCC)

|Probationary Petty Officer (SCC)

|Civilian Instructor (SCC)

|- style="text-align:center;"

!Rank Slide

| 50px

|- style="text-align:center;"

!Royal Marine Unit Officers (NCOs)

|Warrant Officer 1 (SCC) RMR

|Warrant Officer 2 (SCC) RMR

|Colour Sergeant (SCC)

|Sergeant (SCC)

|Probationary Sergeant (SCC)

|Civilian Instructor (SCC)

|- style="text-align:center;"

!Rank Slide

|60px

|50px

|No Rank Slide<br/>or<br/>

Officers are commissioned under the Cadet Forces Commission.

70px|thumb|Midshipman in the Sea Cadets formerly used the insignia for Midshipman in the [[Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.]]

{| class="wikitable"

|- style="text-align:center;"

! Sea Cadet Corps officers

|Captain (SCC) RNR

|Commander (SCC) RNR

|Lieutenant Commander (SCC) RNR

|Lieutenant (SCC) RNR

|Sub-Lieutenant (SCC) RNR

|Midshipman (SCC) RNR

|- style="text-align:center;"

! Insignia

|60px

|- style="text-align:center;"

! Royal Marine Cadet Corps officers

|Lieutenant Colonel (SCC) RMR

|Major (SCC) RMR

|Captain (SCC) RMR

|Lieutenant (SCC) RMR

|Second Lieutenant (SCC) RMR

|- style="text-align:center;"

! Insignia

|50px

Another rank is Chaplain, they also commission under the Cadet Forces Commission.