Group teaches teens about military life

Teens from 13 to 17 can now find out if the Navy or other branches of the armed forces are a fit for their futures.

PATRIOTIC GESTURE— During Memorial Day weekend, the Sea Cadets placed American flags on the graves of veterans and throughout the cemeteryThe national Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC), which was established in 1958, teaches youths about the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Sea Cadets are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to wear Navy uniforms marked with the Sea Cadet Corps insignia.

The objectives of the Sea Cadet program are to introduce youth to naval life, to teach them a sense of pride, patriotism, courage and self-reliance, and to maintain an environment free of drugs and gangs, according to program officials.

“The Sea Cadets are very similar to the Boy Scouts in that volunteers—mostly parents—run the program,” said Thousand Oaks resident Sally Bury, who has a 13year-old son in the program.

“Some funding and many of the activities are military-sponsored. It is much more structured and military etiquette is observed. There is much more discipline and the community service hours accumulate into ribbons on their uniforms.” The Sea Cadets Corps allows young people to sample military life with no obligation to join any branch of the armed forces. Should a cadet decide to enlist in the Navy, Coast Guard or Marine Corps, they may receive an advanced pay grade (E-2/E-3), program officials said.

Units are divided by region.

The Ben Moreell Battalion covers Ventura County, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Barbara, the Santa Clarita Valley and the Antelope Valley.

Sea Cadet training takes place on board ships, and cadets participate in activities on the shore of the Navy and Coast Guard. Cadets train in accordance with curricula approved by the Commander, Navy Recruiting Command.

The Sea Cadets and staff also participate in an International Exchange Program with Bermuda, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, The Netherlands, South Africa and Sweden. Each summer, selected cadets get the opportunity to meet and train with their foreign counterparts.

Both Bury and her husband volunteer as Sea Cadet instructors.

“Instructors also have to go to trainings and wear uniforms,” Bury said. “We are part of the Ben Moreell unit and meet at the base at Port Hueneme.” Bury and her husband find the Sea Cadets program very important because it teaches youngsters to respect and protect their country.

“My son is interested because of the fun and exciting trainings, such as JAG, Airman, SEAL, Field Training, Coast Guard, Diving, Marksmanship and others,” Bury said. “The pride of belonging to his unit and wearing the naval uniforms (is very exciting to him). He was also curious about the Navy as his grandfather was a British Naval officer from Dartmouth, England.” Bury’s son, at this point in time, plans to apply to Annapolis and enter the Navy as a commissioned officer.

“Two cadets from the Ben Moreell unit have just enlisted,” Bury said. “One is entering JAG training.” For more information about Sea Cadets, go to the website at www.seacadets.org.