United States Senate Committee on Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Hearing
May 5, 2004
Statement of Captain Robert C. Hurd USN (Ret.) Naval Sea Cadet Corps Request
Funded since Fiscal Year 2001, continued Congressional appropriation in the Navy Recruiting Budget (O&M; Navy – Title II, Budget Activity 3) of the un-funded budget requirement is essential for continuation of the present level of Naval Sea Cadet training as well as to allow expansion into more communities. Unlike other federally chartered military youth groups, the Sea Cadets pay for almost all their own program costs, including uniforms, training costs, insurance and transportation to/from training. Funding to offset Cadet out-of-pocket training costs at a level commensurate with that received by other federally chartered military related youth programs, is needed to increase access by America’s youth regardless of economic or social background and to develop the fine citizens our country needs and deserves.
Background
At the request of the Department of the Navy, the Navy League of the United States established the Naval Sea Cadet Corps in 1958 to "create a favorable image of the Navy on the part of American youth." On September 10, 1962, the U.S. Congress federally chartered the Naval Sea Cadet Corps under Public Law 87-655 as a non-profit civilian youth training organization for young people, ages 13 through 17. A National Board of Directors, whose Chairman serves as the National Vice President of the Navy League for Youth Programs, establishes NSCC policy and management guidance for operation and administration. A Vice-Chairman of the Board serves also as the Corps’ National President. A full-time Executive Director and small staff in Arlington, VA administer NSCC’s day-to-day operations. These professionals work with volunteer field representatives, unit commanding officers, and local sponsors. They also collaborate with Navy League councils and other civic, or patriotic organizations, and with local school systems.
NSCC Objectives
Develop an interest and skill in seamanship and seagoing subjects.
Develop an appreciation for our Navy's history, customs, traditions, and its significant role in national defense.
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.
Present the advantages and prestige of a military career.
Under the Cadet Corps’ umbrella is the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC); a youth program for children ages 11 through 13. While it is not part of the federal charter provided by Congress, the Navy League of the United States sponsors NLCC.
NLCC was established "...to give young people mental, moral, and physical training through the medium of naval and other instruction, with the objective of developing principles of patriotism and good citizenship, instilling in them a sense of duty, discipline, self-respect, self-confidence, and a respect for others.”
Benefits
Naval Sea Cadets experience a unique opportunity for personal growth, development of self-esteem and self-confidence. Their participation in a variety of activities within a safe, alcohol-free, drug-free, and gang-free environment provides a positive alternative to other less favorable temptations. The Cadet Corps introduces young people to nautical skills, to maritime services and to a military life style. The program provides the young Cadet the opportunity to experience self-reliance early on, while introducing this Cadet to military life without any obligation to join a branch of the armed forces. The young Cadet realizes the commitment required and routinely excels within the Navy and Coast Guard environments.
Naval Sea Cadets receive first-hand knowledge of what life in the Navy or Coast Guard is like. This realization ensures the likelihood of success in military service. For example, limited travel abroad and in Canada may be available, as well as the opportunity to board Navy and Coast Guard ships, craft and aircraft. These young people may also participate in shore activities ranging from training as a student at a Navy hospital to learning the fundamentals of aviation maintenance at a Naval Air Station. The opportunity to compete for college scholarships is particularly significant. Since 1975, 166 Cadets have received financial assistance in continuing their education in a chosen career field at college.
Activities
Naval Sea Cadets pursue a variety of activities including practical, hands-on and classroom training, as well as field trips, orientation visits to military installations, and cruises on Navy and Coast Guard ships and small craft. They also participate in a variety of community and civic events.
The majority of Sea Cadet training and activities occurs year round at a local training or "drill" site. Often, this may be a military installation or base, a reserve center, a local school, civic hall, or sponsor-provided building. During the summer, activities move from the local training site and involve recruit training (boot camp), “advanced” training of choice, and a variety of other training opportunities (depending on the Cadet’s previous experience and desires).
Senior Leadership
Volunteer Naval Sea Cadet Corps Officers and Instructors furnish senior leadership for the program. They willing contribute their time and efforts to serve America’s youth. The Sea Cadet Corps programs succeed because of their dedicated, active participation and commitment to the principles upon which the Corps was founded. Cadet Corps officers are appointed from the civilian sector or from active , reserve or retired military status. All are required to take orientation, intermediate and advanced Officer Professional Development courses to increase their management and youth leadership skills. Appointment as an officer in the Sea Cadet Corps does not, in itself, confer any official military rank. However, a Navy style uniform, bearing USNSCC insignia, is authorized and worn. Cadet Corps officers receive no pay or allowances. Yet, they do deserve some benefits such as limited use of military facilities and space available air travel in conjunction with carrying out their training duty orders.
Drug-Free and Gang-Free Environment
One of the most important benefits of the Sea Cadet Program is that it provides participating youth a peer structure and environment that places maximum emphasis on a drug and gang free environment. Supporting this effort is a close liaison with the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA offers the services of all DEA Demand Reduction Coordinators to provide individual unit training, as well as their being an integral part of our boot camp training programs.
Training
Local Training
Local training, held at the unit’s drill site, includes a variety of activities supervised by qualified Sea Cadet Corps Officers and instructors, as well as Navy, Coast Guard, Marine and other service member instructors. Cadets receive classroom and hands on practical instruction in basic military requirements, military drill, water and small boat safety, core personal values, social amenities, drug/alcohol abuse, cultural relations, naval history, naval customs and traditions, and nautical skills. Training may be held onboard ships, small boats or aircraft, depending upon platform availability, as well as onboard military bases and stations. In their training, cadets also learn about and are exposed to a wide variety of civilian and military career opportunities through field trips and educational tours. Special presentations by military and civilian officials augment the local training, as does attendance at special briefings and events throughout the local area. Cadets are also encouraged, and scheduled, to participate in civic activities and events to include parades, social work, and community projects, all part of the ‘whole person’ training concept.
For all Naval Sea Cadets the training during the first several months is at their local training site, and focuses on general orientation to, and familiarization with, the entire Naval Sea Cadet program. It also prepares them for their first major away from home training event, the two weeks recruit training which all Sea Cadets must successfully complete.
The Navy League Cadet Corps training program teaches younger cadets the virtues of personal neatness, loyalty, obedience, courtesy, dependability and a sense of responsibility for shipmates. In accordance with a Navy orientated syllabus, this education prepares them for the higher level of training they will receive as Naval Sea Cadets.
Summer Training
After enrolling, all sea cadets must first attend a two week recruit training taught at the Navy’s Recruit Training Command, at other Naval Bases or stations, and at regional recruit training sites using other military host resources. Instructed by Navy or NSCC Recruit Division Commanders, cadets train to a condensed version of the basic course that Navy enlistees receive. The curriculum is provided by the Navy, and taught at all training sites. In 2003 there were 22 Recruit training classes at 19 locations, including 3 classes conducted over the winter holiday school break. These 20 plus nationwide regional sites are required to accommodate the increased demand for quotas and also to keep cadet and adult travel costs to a minimum. Over 2600 Naval Sea Cadets attended recruit training in 2003, supported by another 240 adult volunteers.
Once Sea Cadets have successfully completed recruit training, they may choose from a wide variety of advanced training opportunities including basic/advanced airman, ceremonial guard, seamanship, sailing, amphibious operations, leadership, firefighting and emergency services, submarine orientation, seal and mine warfare operations, Navy diving, and training in occupational specialties including health care, legal, music, master-at-arms and police science, and construction.
The Naval Sea Cadet Corps is proud of the quality and diversity of training opportunities offered to its’ Cadet Corps. For 2003 approximately 8,000 ‘training opportunities’ were formally advertised for both cadets and adults. Another 900 ‘opportunities’ presented themselves through the dedication, resourcefulness and initiative of the adult volunteer officers who independently arranged training for cadets onboard local bases and stations. This locally arranged training represents some of the best that the NSCC has to offer and includes the consistently outstanding training offered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The total cadet and adult opportunity for 2003 stood at about 9,000 quotas, including all recruit training. Approximately 8,000 NSCC members, with about 7000 being cadets, stepped forward and requested orders to take advantage of these training opportunities. Cadets faced a myriad of challenging and rewarding training experiences designed to instill leadership and develop self-reliance. It also enabled them to become familiar with the full spectrum of Navy and Coast Guard career fields.
This ever-increasing participation once again reflects the popularity of the NSCC and the positive results of federal funding for 2001 through 2003. The NSCC continues to experience increased recruit and advanced training attendance of well over 2000 cadets per year over those years in which federal funding was not available. The events of 9-11 and the resulting global war against terrorism did preclude berthing availability at many bases and stations; however, the NSCC continued to grow as other military hosts offered their resources in support of the NSCC. While recruit training acquaints cadets with Navy life and Navy style discipline, advanced training focuses on military and general career fields and opportunities, and also affords the cadets many entertaining, drug free, disciplined yet fun activities over the entire year. One result of this training is that approximately 10% of the Midshipman Brigade at the U.S Naval Academy report having been prior Naval Sea Cadets, most citing summer training as a key factor in their decision to attend the USNA. Training highlights for 2003
The 2003 training focus was on providing every cadet the opportunity to perform either recruit or advanced training during the year. To that end, emphasis was placed on maintaining all new training opportunities developed over the last several years since federal funding was approved for the NSCC. This proved to be a significant challenge with reduced available berthing at DoD bases as a result of recalled reservists and deployment of forces in the war on terrorism. Regardless, we were successful in most of our plans. Included among these were classes in sailing and legal (JAG) training, expanded SEAL orientation opportunity, SCUBA classes, more seamanship training onboard the NSCC training vessels on the Great Lakes, and additional honor guard training opportunities. Other highlights included: • Expanded recruit training opportunity by increasing recruit training evolutions from 15 in 2002 to 22 in 2003.
• Kept cadet training cost to $30 for 1 week and $60 for 2 weeks plus transportation; only a $5 and $10 increase over 2002, all during a period of escalating costs and increasing enrollment while the grant was maintained at $1M.
• Expanded use of Army and State National Guard facilities to accommodate demand for quotas for recruit training.
• Maintained expanded recruit training and advanced training opportunity higher than any prior year.
• Improved adult professional development and education through much needed updates of the NSCC Officer Professional Development courses.
• Added first class ever with Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Mobile Diving Salvage Units in Norfolk, Virginia.
• Nearly doubled the number of MAA classes and doubled the number of cadets taking this training.
• Maintained expanded YP training on the Great Lakes.
• Maintained placement of cadets onboard USCG Barque Eagle for two, three week underway orientation cruises.
• Maintained placement of cadets aboard USCG stations, cutters, and tenders for what many consider among the best of the training opportunities offered in the NSCC.
• Continued the popular, merit based, International Exchange program although reduced for Asian countries due to the SARS concern.
• Graduated over 290 cadets from the NSCC Petty Officer Leadership Academies, (POLA)
• Maintained placement of Cadets onboard USN ships under local orders as operating schedules and opportunity permitted.
• As has been the case in all prior years, once again enjoyed particularly outstanding support from members of the United States Naval Reserve, whose help and leadership remains essential for summer training.
International Exchange Program (IEP)
The NSCC continued in 2003, for the second year, its’ redesigned and highly competitive, merit based, and very low cost to the cadet, International Exchange Program. Cadets were placed in Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands, and Bermuda to train with fellow cadets in these host nations. The NSCC and Canada did maintain their traditional exchanges in Nova Scotia and British Columbia, and the NSCC hosted visiting cadets in Norfolk and at Fort Lewis, WA for two weeks of U.S. Navy style training.
Navy League Cadet Training
In 2003, almost 1350 Navy League Cadets and escorts attended Navy League Orientation Training at 17 sites nationwide. The diversity in location and ample quotas allowed for attendance by each and every League Cadet who wished to attend. Approximately 250 League cadets and their escorts attended advanced Navy League training where cadets learn about small boats and small boat safety using the U.S. Coast Guard’s safe boating curriculum. Other advanced Navy League training sites emphasize leadership training. Both serve the program well in preparing League cadets for further training in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and particularly for their first “boot camp.” The continuing strong numbers of participants for both Orientation and Advanced training, support not just the popularity of the NSCC program but also the positive impact the federal training grant has had in helping cadets afford the training and helping them take advantage of the increased opportunities available to them.
Training Grants
Through local sponsor support and the federal grant, almost every Cadet who desired to attend summer training had the opportunity. This milestone is a direct result of the strong NLUS council and sponsor support for NSCC/NLCC cadets to participate in the Corps' summer training.
Scholarships
The Naval Sea Cadet Corps Scholarship program was established to provide financial assistance to deserving Cadets who wished to further their education at the college level. Established in 1975, the scholarship program consists of a family of funds: the NSCC Scholarship Fund; the Navy League Stockholm Scholarship; the San Diego Gas & Electric Fund; grants from the Lewis A. Kingsley Foundation; and the NSCC "named scholarship" program, designed to recognize an individual, corporation, organization or foundation.
Since the inception of the scholarship program, 176 scholarships have been awarded to 166 Cadets (includes some renewals) totaling over $192,900.
Service Accessions
The Naval Sea Cadet Corps was formed at the request of the Department of the Navy as a means to “enhance the Navy image in the minds of American youth.” To accomplish this, ongoing training illustrates to Naval Sea Cadets the advantages and benefits of careers in the armed services, and in particular, the sea services.
While there is no service obligation associated with the Naval Sea Cadet Corps program, many Sea Cadets choose to enlist or enroll in Officer training programs in all the Services.
Annually, the NSCC conducts a survey to determine the approximate number of Cadets making this career decision. This survey is conducted during the annual inspections of the units. The reported Cadet accessions to the services are only those that are known to the unit at that time. There are many accessions that occur in the 2-3 year timeframe after Cadets leave their units, which go unreported. For example, for the year 2000, with about 80 percent of the units reporting, the survey indicates that 564 known Cadets entered the armed forces during the reporting year ending 31 December 2002. Of these, 30 ex- Sea Cadets were reported to have received appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy. Further liaison with the USNA indicates that in fact, there are currently 482 Midshipmen with Sea Cadet backgrounds – almost 10% of the entire Brigade. Navy accession recruiting costs have averaged over $11,000 per person, officer or enlisted, which applied to the number of Sea Cadet accessions represents a significant financial benefit to the Navy. Equally important is the expectation that once a more accurate measurement methodology can be found, is, that since Sea Cadets enter the Armed Forces as disciplined, well trained and motivated individuals, their retention, graduation and first term enlistment completion rates are perhaps the highest among any other entry group. USNA officials are currently studying graduation rates for past years for ex-Sea Cadets as a group as compared to the entire Brigade. Their preliminary opinion is that these percents will be among the highest. It is further expected that this factor will be an excellent indicator of the following, not only for the USNA, but for all officer and enlisted programs the Sea Cadets may enter:
• Extremely high motivation of ex-Cadets to enter the Service.
• Excellent background provided by the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet experience in preparing and motivating Cadets to enter the Service.
• Prior U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps experience is an excellent pre-screening opportunity for young men and women to evaluate their interest in pursuing a military career. This factor could potentially save considerable tax-payer dollars expended on individuals who apply for, then resign after entering the Academy if they decide at some point they do not have the interest or motivation.
• U.S. Naval Sea Cadet experience prior to entering the Service is an excellent indicator of a potentially high success rate. Data similar to the above has been requested from the United States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Whether or not they choose a service career, all Sea Cadets carry forth learned values of good citizenship, leadership and moral courage that will benefit themselves and our country.
Program Finances
Sea Cadets pay for all expenses , including travel to/from training, uniforms, insurance and training costs. Out-of-pocket costs can reach $500 each year. Assistance is made available so that no young person is denied access to the program, regardless of social or economic background.
Federally funded at the $1,000,000 level in FY’s ’01, ’02, and ’03, and at $1,500,000 in FY 2004 (of the $2,000,000 requested), these funds were used to offset individual Cadet’s individual costs for summer training, conduct of background checks for adult volunteers and for reducing future enrollment costs for Cadets. In addition to the federal funds received, NSCC receives under $1,000,000 per year from other sources, which includes around $250,000 in enrollment fees from Cadets and adult volunteers themselves. For a variety of reasons, at a minimum, this current level of funding is necessary to sustain this program and the full $2,000,000 would allow for program expansion:
• All-time high in number of enrolled Sea Cadets (and growing) and general inflation.
• Some bases denying planned access to Sea Cadets for training due to increased terrorism threat level alerts and the associated tightening of security measures – requiring Cadets to utilize alternative, and often more costly training alternatives
• Reduced availability of afloat training opportunities due to the Navy’s high level of operations related to the Iraq war.
• Reduced training site opportunities due to base closures
• Non-availability of open bay berthing opportunities for Cadets due to their elimination as a result of enlisted habitability upgrades to individual/double berthing spaces.
• Lack of available “Space Available” transportation for group movements and Lack of on-base transportation, as the Navy no longer “owns” busses now controlled by the GSA. Because of these factors, Cadet out-of-pocket costs have skyrocketed to the point where the requested $2,000,000 alone would be barely sufficient to handle cost increases.
It is therefore considered a matter of urgency that the full amount of the requested $2,000,000 be authorized and appropriated for Fiscal Year 2005.
