sea cadet corps

The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) is a UK cadet force, that takes after the Royal Navy (even though it is not controlled and funded by the Royal Navy in the same way the Combined Cadet Force, Air Training Corps or Army Cadet Force are respectively controlled by their parent sections of the Ministry of Defence). It is not a pre-service organisation, however a significant minority of its members do join the Royal Navy or Royal Marines.

Organisation

National Level

The parent organisation of the SCC is the Sea Cadet Association (SCA) but it is also sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (Navy). The governing body of the Corps is the Sea Cadet Council which is made up of Trustees of the SCA, representatives from the MoD, representative members of staff and Area Chairmen. The Commodore Sea Cadet Corps (CSCC) is responsible to the Council for controlling and directing the Corps and for advising the Council on controlling the annual budget. The current Commodore is Commodore Lawrie Brockenshire CBE RN. Sea Cadet Headquarters is based in Lambeth Road, London which provides offices for both the Sea Cadet Corps and the Sea Cadet Association. HM The Queen is the Patron of the SCC and HRH The Duke of York is the Admiral of the SCC.

Area Level

The country is divided geographically into six areas which are Northern, North West (also including Northern Ireland), Eastern, South West, Southern and London. Each of these areas has its own headquarters and an Area Officer (AO) who is a Royal Navy Commander or, occasionally, a Royal Marine Lieutenant Colonel. Each area also has a Deputy Area Officer (DAO), usually a retired Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander, and Area Warrant Officer (AWO) who assist the AO.

District Level

Each area is further subdivided into districts of between 5 and 12 units. In charge of each district is a District Officer (DO) who is normally a Sea Cadet Lieutenant Commander or Major.

Membership

Cadets

Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 can join the SCC, although some units also have a Junior Cadet Section which is for cadets aged between 10 and 12. Other units also have a Marine Cadet Detatchment (which bases itself on the Royal Marines as opposed to the Royal Navy) for young people between the ages of 13 and 18.

Adult Staff

Adult staff can be split into Officers, Senior Rates and Civilian Instructors. Officers are appointed into the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) and can hold a rank from Midshipman (SCC) to Lieutenant Commander (SCC). Senior Rates can hold a rank from Probationary Petty Officer (SCC) to Chief Petty Officer (SCC). Anybody over the age of 18 (subject to Criminal Reference checks) may volunteer to become an adult member of staff, although there is an upper age limit of 55 for those wishing to become uniformed staff as opposed to Civilian Instructors.