The U.S. Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) is for boys and girls, at least 11 but not yet 14 years old, who are interested in the sea and ships, and our nations seagoing services. The Navy League program is designed to introduce young people to maritime and military life, and to prepare them for later entrance into the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

Cadets from Southern New England meet or "drill" at their local unit weekly or monthly through out the year. A unit is structured along military lines and is headed by a Commanding Officer. Units in the region drill on military bases, at operational support centers (reserve centers,) and maritime centers.

Sea Cadet units are organized as either divisions, squadrons, or battalions. Divisions closely reflect the surface navy, while squadrons are geared toward the field of naval aviation, and battalions meanwhile reflect Navy construction battalions (Seabees).

Whether a division, squadron, or battalion, your local unit has one main purpose, and that is to foster team work, camaraderie and an understanding of the military command structure.

Cadets are instructed by Naval Reserve Officers, Sea Cadet Officers, and senior cadets through classroom and applied instruction in subjects such as basic seamanship, military drill, and leadership. Southern New England Cadets attend weekend competitions where units compete with each other to test their seamanship and military skills.

Regional units will often participate in community events such as parades and fairs. They may also tour or train aboard Navy and Coast Guard ships and shore stations. They may participate in community service such as working in Veterans' Hospitals and organizing clothing and food drives.

Sea Cadet training consists of Navy Non-Resident Correspondence Courses (NRCC), two-week training schools, shipboard training, and training arranged within New England by units and regional staff.

Two-week training (TWT) mostly takes place during summer months and occasionally during winter and spring break. The first TWT for all cadets is NSCC Recruit Training, better known as boot camp presently being held at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts. Boot camp is a scaled down version of the Navy's boot camp. For the two-week period, cadets are instructed by active, reserve military personnel and Sea Cadet officers in military drill and discipline, physical fitness, seamanship, shipboard safety, first aid, naval history, and leadership.

After cadets have successfully completed boot camp, they can then participate in advanced training. Advanced training currently consists of airman school (aviation), FAA ground school, Seabee school (civil engineering), submarine seminar, hospital corpsman school (medical), seal team training, amphibious training, petty officer leadership academy, master-at-arms school (military police/law), and shipboard training to name just some.

Sea Cadet training is held throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam on military installations.

In addition to the above, those cadets who exhibit extraordinary initiative and leadership ability may participate in International Exchanges with Sea Cadet Organizations around the world.

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps provides its cadets the opportunity to develop at an early age character and qualities of a good and productive citizen.

In order to join the Naval Sea Cadet Corps or Navy League Cadet Corps one must meet the following criteria:

• Be between the ages of 11 and 17.
• Be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
• Be in good health and pass a qualifying physical examination.
• Be a full time student and maintain satisfactory grades
• (2.00 "C" grade point average).
• Be free of felony convictions.

The Southern New England Region of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps continues to offer young people opportunities and adventures only imagined. For further information, please check out our National Website at www.seacadets.org.