Wikipedia

Sea cadets

Sea Cadets
Cadets in their uniforms
  countries with sea cadet organizations
Statistics
Host Nations20
First inception1854

A sea cadet pronounced (/ˈsiː kəˌdɛt/; or more commonly known as "sea cadet corps"pronounced (/ˈsiː kəˌdɛt ˌkɔːrz/), is defined as a non-government voluntary youth service sponsored by one's national navy aimed at minors with an interest in the maritime services.[1] Sea cadets often learn maritime traditions and promote the sea-going services.

The phrase sea cadet corps can be applied for more prominent sea cadet organizations, while smaller less prominent ones may commonly refer to the service as "sea cadets". Although not all countries may use the terminology "sea cadet corps" it is often used in countries such as the United States, Canada, India, Netherlands, Russia, Hong Kong, Belgium, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Bermuda, and Zimbabwe.

Traditions consisting of community service may be prominent; related activities can include community outreach, public projects, food drives and first aid.[2] In most cases sea cadet organizations voluntary and do not require a service obligation, however, some organizations can provide advanced pay in the armed forces if recruited.[3][4][5] Some individuals receive medals and ranks depending on their organization's official structure, and most commonly inspired by the armed forces.

Etymology

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The term sea cadet combines sea, from Old English sǣ, meaning “large body of water,” and cadet, from the French phrase cadet, meaning “younger son” or “junior,” used for young military trainees. Together, the term refers to youth engaged in naval training programs.[6][7] The use of the term cadet in a naval context dates to at least the 17th century, when it was adopted into English to refer to officer trainees.[8]

History

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Origins
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Swedish sea cadets participating in The First British Empire Sea Cadet Camp in Quebec, Canada. (1949)

The first known sea cadet unit was established in 1854 in Whitstable, Kent by local communities seeking to provide maritime opportunities for orphans after the Crimean War.[9][10] To provide aid to the formation of the first sea cadet unit, local fishermen came together to help sailors meet the requirements, to educate youth in maritime activities.[10] In 1894 the Navy League was formed in London; at the time, the Navy League would be used for propaganda.[10] Later, in 1899 Queen Victoria donated £10 (worth £1,000 in today's money) to fund their uniforms and would financially support the Windsor Unit of Whitstable, Kent.[10]

In the 20th century the Navy League adopted the unit and later sought recognition from the Admiralty. During World War ᛁᛁ, several sea cadet organizations developed, with over 200 units in the United Kingdom being established, with a estimated total of over 10,000 cadets.[11] The Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps was created in 1955. Then In 1957 the Indian Sea Cadet Corps was formed.[12] Coincidentally, a year later the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps would be federally chartered by the U.S Navy.[13]

International Sea Cadet Association endorsed sea cadet programs

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The International Sea Cadet Association statement on the Sea Cadets is as follows:

"A sea cadet corps or corresponding organization is a voluntary, non-political and non-militant youth organisation, with membership unrestricted by race, sex or philosophical or religious convictions, which offers practical and theoretical training in nautical and maritime subjects within the context based on naval traditions." —International Sea Cadet Association [14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "America's Sea Cadets - The US Navy's youth development program". America's Sea Cadets. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  2. ^ Greenberg, Martin Alan (2024-12-02). Youth Involvement in Public Safety in the United States: Mitigating Youth Violence through Community Programming. Springer Nature. ISBN 978-3-031-74172-2.
  3. ^ "Navy Advanced Pay Grade Opportunities". www.navycs.com. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  4. ^ Ruiz, Stephen (2021-08-11). "Everything You Need to Know About the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps". Military.com. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  5. ^ Marco, Pasquale De. Life of a Boy Seaman. Pasquale De Marco.
  6. ^ "Sea - Etymology, Origin & Meaning". etymonline. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  7. ^ "Cadet - Etymology, Origin & Meaning". etymonline. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  8. ^ "Cadet". Etymonline. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  9. ^ "Yeovil's Virtual Museum, the A-to-Z of Yeovil's History - by Bob Osborn". www.yeovilhistory.info. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  10. ^ a b c d "History - The History of Sea Cadets - Sea Cadets". www.sea-cadets.org. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  11. ^ Singapore (1952). Annual Report. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  12. ^ Hiranandani, G. M. (2005). Transition to Eminence: The Indian Navy 1976-1990. Lancer Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7062-266-6.
  13. ^ Vancil, Mark (2019-04-18). The Common Man. Dorrance Publishing. ISBN 978-1-64426-249-8.
  14. ^ International Sea Cadet AssociationArchived 2006-06-15 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Navy League of Australia Federal Council report
  16. ^ https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/936642/2708618a18773d8da2359185998ba907/WD-2-013-23_EN-pdf.pdf www.bundestag.de. Retrieved 2025-07-28