March 16, 2006

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Accelerating lives

 

Photos by Doug Valentine Sea Cadet Daniel Strauss practices the front crawl in the indoor pool at the Odom Physical Fitness Center Feb. 25. Strauss and other members of the local Sea Cadet unit held their monthly meeting at Fort Detrick Feb. 25 and 26. The Sea Cadets learn about military history and hands-on training with weapons.

by Mary Greer
Standard Staff Writer

The local Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit gathered at Fort Detrick Feb. 25 for two days of developing their military knowledge and skills.

Sea Cadets are a nationwide organization that focuses on providing youth with a structured environment to build leadership qualities and knowledge of the military. There are six units in Maryland, including the unit sponsored by Fort Detrick.

Sea Cadets units can also be sponsored by Congress and other organizations within each state.

The cadets' first day day began with a historical brief about the Battle of Okinawa during World War II given by Cmdr. David Staten, the unit's executive officer.

The presentation was followed by a documentary on the battle and a guest speaker, Jim Keirsey. A former member of the 6th Marine Division, Keirsey spoke about his experiences on Okinawa and what he went through while at war. Historical presentations give the cadets a perspective on what combat is like and pride in the achievements of their country's military.

"We try to get a lot of veterans to come and speak because not only is it good for the cadets, but for the veterans as well," Staten said.

The presentation was followed by a firearms safety training class. During the class, the cadets learned essential safety fundamentals, identifying the components of the firearms used in training and basic shooting positions.

Later that day the group relocated to the Odom Physical Fitness Center to practice ocean swimming and survival. The survival training focused on techniques the cadets would learn in Navy boot camp, and covered topics such as how to jump off of a ship after receiving the command to abandon ship and how to use uniform items as floatation devices by filling them with air.

Sea Cadets Adam Thomas, front left, and Lucas Dague practice taking apart and reassembling M1911A1 .45 caliber pistols Feb. 25.

The training continued the next day when the cadets practiced hand-to-hand combat training and were inspected during their annual formal inspection.

There are typically 25 cadets in each unit. The units are open to both girls and boys ages 11 through 18; Navy League Cadet units are open to children ages 11 through 13, while Sea Cadet units are for youths ages 14 through 18.

Although they do have physical training activities, Sea Cadets is not a boot camp. There are Navy boot camps during the summer to physically train the cadets and allow them to spend time at sea.

"It is not the place to send your child if you want to whip them into shape; we do it for the love of the sea," said Jorge Trevino the commanding officer of the Fort Detrick Sea Cadets. "(The purpose) is to train and educate those who already have leadership skills--the focus is on education."

Sea Cadets have been confused with Reserve Officers' Training Corps; however, Sea Cadet units focus more on the hands-on experiences with their active duty counterparts.

Fort Detrick's Sea Cadets meet one weekend a month to hone skills related to military lifestyles. The training manuals Sea Cadets use are the same ones active-duty Sailors use.

The screening process for entry into the cadets is similar to that of the Merchant Marines.

"There are very strict requirements," Trevino said.

"It's a great program, and the camaraderie from the boot camp training

Sarah Knight inspects an AR-15 rifle during a weapons class. Safety training is required before cadets handle weapons.

carries into the monthly training," said Cadet James Dzuris, an 18-year-old who was recently accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy. "I am learning in Sea Cadets the same things that the first year midshipmen are learning at USNA."

In May the cadets will get the chance to practice putting out a shipboard fire on a vessel at the Naval Academy that is designed specifically for that type of training.

"The training is very similar to what you would expect as active-duty military personnel," Trevino said. "We run a very robust program."

The Sea Cadets also participate in community activities and parades. They will be participating in Fort Detrick's Armed Forces Day celebrations May 16.