United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps
MOHAWK VALLEY BATTALION, Amsterdam, New York
Our unit is proud to be celebrating 7 years serving the youth of the Mohawk Valley area as a United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit, 2001-2008. Congress federally chartered the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps in 1962, our unit was formed as the "USS Amsterdam Division" in March 2001. The unit drilled for 5 years as the Amsterdam Division. In 2006 the unit was renamed the "Mohawk Valley Battalion" and has operated as such for the last 2 years. The Mohawk Valley Battalion name was chosen in order to better reflect the area we served and to identifiy with the types of training we do. The Naval Sea/League Cadet Corps is for American youth ages 10-17 who have a desire to learn about the United States Military. Sea Cadets are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to wear Navy uniforms appropriately marked with the Sea Cadet Corps insignia. The objectives of the Sea Cadet program are to introduce youth to naval life, to develop in them a sense of pride, patriotism, courage, and self-reliance, and to maintain an environment free of drugs and gangs. Our cadets meet or "drill" two Saturday's per month at Centro Civico's LPP building in Amsterdam. We also host drills at nearby military bases, reserve centers and with other NSCC/NLCC units. Our unit is organized as a battalion, which reflects the Navy construction Battalions (SeaBees). Some units are organized as squadrons, which are geared toward the field of naval aviation, and divisions, which closely reflects the surface Navy. Whether a division, squadron, or battalion, the local unit has one main purpose, and that is to foster teamwork, camaraderie and an understanding of the military command structure. Our cadets are instructed by Sea Cadet Officers, active duty military and senior cadets through classroom and applied instruction in subjects such as basic seamanship, military drill, and leadership. Our unit also participates in Sea Cadet regional weekend competitions where units compete with each other to test their seamanship and military skills. The Mohawk Valley Battalion actively participates in community events such as parades, fairs and Military shows. We also train with Navy and Coast Guard ships and shore stations and participate in community service projects such as working with the Salvation Army. The Sea Cadet training program consists of Navy Non-Resident Training Courses (NRTC), two-week training schools, shipboard training, and training arranged locally by units. All new cadets enter the program at the rate of E1/Seaman Recruit. In order for a cadet to move up through the ranks they must complete the following: the NRTC Correspondence Course for that rate, two-weeks of training, and depending on the rate, the Navy Military Leadership exam for that rate. NRTC's cover basic military and naval subjects such as naval history, seamanship, leadership, and ship/aircraft familiarization. The cadet rate structure parallels that of the Navy and Coast Guard's enlisted rate structure, with E7/Chief Petty Officer being the highest rate a cadet can achieve. 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/NLCC Recruit Training, better known as boot camp. It is a scaled down version of the Navy's boot camp. For the two-week period, cadets are instructed by active and reserve military personnel and Sea Cadet officers in military drill and discipline, physical fitness, seamanship, shipboard safety, first aid, naval history, and leadership. Sea Cadet summer 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 annual exchanges with Sea Cadet Corp's around the world.
U.S. Naval and League Cadet Corps
Cadets get to meet their foreign counterparts, experience new cultures, and get to see how the navies of the world operate.
Depending on the rate achieved in the Naval Sea Cadets, former cadets may be eligible to enlisted in the armed forces at an advanced pay grade. Military academy and ROTC selection boards look upon being a member honorably discharged from the Corps favorably. Also those cadets who are accepted to a four-year university may be eligible for scholarships.
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.