Sea Cadets (United Kingdom)

Sea Cadet Corps
Founded1856[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeNational youth charity sponsored by the Royal Navy
Size13,730 Cadets (as of 1 April 2023)[2]
4,260 Adult Volunteers
6 regional watersports centres
5 offshore vessels
4 national training centres
HeadquartersLondon
MottoReady Aye Ready
WebsiteSea Cadets
Commanders
Admiral of the Sea Cadet CorpsThe Princess Royal
Captain Sea CadetsCapt Neil Downing RN
Insignia
Ensign
Badge
Queen Elizabeth II and Admiral Sir Jonathon Band in 2006 to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets
Lt. Commander John Edwards, RNR (SCC), Lt. Mario Oliviera, RNR (SCC), Sub-Lt. Colvin Manning, RNR (SCC), and the Guard of TS Admiral Somers parade at Ordnance Island, Bermuda for the completion of Dodge Morgan's record-breaking circumnavigation of the world aboard the American Promise on 11 April 1986.[3][4]

The Sea Cadet Corps is a national youth charity operating in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland,[5] Malta and Bermuda. Cadets follow an ethos, training plan and rank structure similar to that of the Royal Navy, and are recognised by the UK Ministry of Defence.

History

In 1854, a vicar in Whitstable, Kent returned from the Crimean War and founded an orphanage where sailors taught nautical skills to prepare orphans for future careers.[6] Multiple similar orphanages were founded across the country, and the organisation became known as the Naval Lads' Brigade. In 1899 Queen Victoria presented £10 (around £1,000 today) to the Windsor Unit to purchase uniforms.[4]

In 1910, the Navy League sponsored a small number of units as the Navy League Boys' Naval Brigade, and in 1919 the organisation adopted the name Navy League Sea Cadet Corps. Lord Nuffield donated £50,000 in 1937 to fund an expansion of the Corps.[4]

King George VI became the Admiral of the Corps in 1942 and the name was changed to the Sea Cadet Corps. The Sea Cadets had approximately 400 units and 50,000 Cadets. The Girls Naval Training Corps was also formed (later renamed Girls Nautical Training Corps in 1950).[4] Queen Elizabeth II became the Patron of the Sea Cadets in 1952.[4] In 1955 the Sea Cadet Council agreed to the formation of the Marine Cadet Section.[4] The Girls Nautical Training Corps became affiliated with the Sea Cadet Corps in 1963. The Royal Naval Association began planning the first British colonial unit in Bermuda in 1964, with TS Bermuda formed on 12 January 1966.[4][7] Located at Admiralty House, Bermuda, it was followed by two further units (TS Venture at the former Roman Catholic chapel of the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda and TS Admiral Somers at Convict Bay, St. George's, another former Admiralty property).[8][9][10]

On 31 March 1980 the Ministry of Defence approved the admission of girls into the Sea Cadet Corps. The successful integration of girls into the Sea Cadet Corps led to the dissolution of the Girls Nautical Training Corps in 1992.[4]

Ethos

The Sea Cadets' ethos is made up of three parts: its values, its mindset, and the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy. The promise made by every cadet who joins the Sea Cadet Corps is as follows:

The Sea Cadet Promise: I promise to serve my God, my King, my country, and, the Sea Cadet Corps and to obey the orders of my superior officers. I will be proud of my uniform and be smart and seamanlike in wearing it, and, always do my duty.[11][a]

The ethos is underpinned by the Sea Cadet Values which are: Courage, Commitment, Discipline, Respect, Loyalty, Honesty, and Integrity.[12] These are taught by staff throughout the time cadets are with a unit; chaplains will also take a lead in such delivery.[12]

Cadets

Junior Sea Cadets

For 9 to 12-year-olds, Junior Cadets have their own training programme and uniform, based on a more practical version of the Sea Cadets training programme.[13][14]

Sea Cadets

For 12 to 18-year-olds, young people can join as a Sea Cadet and work their way up through the training programme.[13]

Royal Marines Cadets

Main article: Royal Marines Cadets

For 13 to 18-year-olds, the Sea Cadets has detachments of Royal Marines Cadets.[13]

Sea Cadets training on HMS Undine, 1943
Sea Cadets practice semaphore during signalling class, 1943

Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps

Appointee From to Ref.
King George VI 1942 1952 [15]
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1952 1992 [16]
Prince Andrew, Duke of York 1992 2019 [17]
Anne, Princess Royal 2021 present [18]

Structure and organisation

Sea Cadets, Stonehaven
Sea Cadets, Fishguard

The headquarters of Sea Cadets are in Lambeth, South London. The country is divided into six areas:[19]

Volunteers fulfil roles such as water sports instructors, fundraisers, administrative staff, etc. Sea Cadets has both uniformed adult volunteers and non-uniformed adult volunteers.[20]

Training regime

A Cadet 1st Class in No.1 Uniform

Skills learned in a cadet's time in the Sea Cadets fall into four groups: (i) unit section, (ii) waterborne section, (iii) community and citizenship section, and (iv) outdoor and recreation section.[21]

Ranks and rates

See also: Ranks of the cadet forces of the United Kingdom

From new entry through to able cadet, Sea Cadets are promoted based on their completion of various task-based modules. The ranks to progress through are: new entry, cadet, cadet 1st class, ordinary cadet, and able cadet. The non-commissioned officer ranks are leading cadet and petty officer cadet.[22]


Sea
Cadets Corps
 No insignia
Petty officer
cadet 		Leading
cadet 		Able cadet Ordinary cadet Cadet 1st
class 		Cadet New entry
POC LC AC OC CFC CDT NE



Royal Marines
Cadets
(Part of the SCC)
 No insignia No insignia
Cadet
sergeant 		Cadet
corporal 		Cadet lance
corporal 		Marine cadet Marine cadet recruit
CDT SGT CDT CPL CDT LCPL MC MCR



Junior
Sea
Cadets Corps
Leading
junior cadet 		Able
junior cadet 		Junior cadet
first class 		Junior cadet
LJC AJC JCFC JC


Sea Cadet Unit Officers (NCOs) Warrant Officer 1 (SCC) RNR Warrant Officer 2 (SCC) RNR Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Petty Officer (SCC) Probationary Petty Officer (SCC) Civilian Instructor (SCC)
Rank Slide
Royal Marine Unit Officers (NCOs) Warrant Officer 1 (SCC) RMR Warrant Officer 2 (SCC) RMR Colour Sergeant (SCC) Sergeant (SCC) Probationary Sergeant (SCC) Civilian Instructor (SCC)
Rank Slide No Rank Slide
or

Officers are commissioned under the Cadet Forces Commission.[23]

Midshipman in the Sea Cadets formerly used the insignia for Midshipman in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.
Sea Cadet Corps officers Captain (SCC) RNR[b] Commander (SCC) RNR Lieutenant Commander (SCC) RNR Lieutenant (SCC) RNR Sub-Lieutenant (SCC) RNR Midshipman (SCC) RNR
Insignia
Royal Marine Cadet Corps officers Lieutenant Colonel (SCC) RMR[c] Major (SCC) RMR Captain (SCC) RMR Lieutenant (SCC) RMR Second Lieutenant (SCC) RMR
Insignia

Another rank is Chaplain, they also commission under the Cadet Forces Commission.[23]

Rank Chaplain (SCC) RNR
Insignia

Uniform

No. 1s (Left) and No. 8 AWD (being replaced in 2024 with No.4s) with pullover (centre) and in shirtsleeves (right)

Cadets are issued two uniforms. Some units ask for a deposit for uniforms that is returned after the uniform is given back. The primary uniforms that cadets receive are:

  • No. 1s (Formal Dress) - Seaman's cap, blue class II jumper, blue Class II trousers, shirt uniform class II (white front), seaman's blue collar, black scarf assembly, lanyard, and black boots/shoes[24]

Ships

Current offshore fleet

The Sea Cadet flagship TS Royalist moored outside the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Canning Dock, Liverpool, during the Three Festivals Tall Ship Regatta 2018

TS Royalist

TS Royalist, the Sea Cadet flagship, is a tall ship owned by the MSSC. She is used to providing week-long training courses for Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets. The ship was launched in 2014 to replace the previous TS Royalist, which was over 40 years old when decommissioned. In 2013 there had been an appeal to replace the ageing flagship: £250,000 was needed this target was achieved in April 2013.[27]

She is rigged as a 34m brig,[28] with a sail area of 536 square metres (641 sq yd). Her draught is 3.25 metres (10 ft 8 in).[29] The ship's hull is of high tensile steel, with her superstructure of glass reinforced plastic. She has a crew of eight, plus up to twenty-four Cadets and two adult trainees. Twelve passengers can also be carried.[30]

TS City of London and TS Sir Stelios

TS City of London and TS Sir Stelios are the Sea Cadets' Rustler 42 yachts provided in 2017 and 2018 respectively; they replaced the Tradewind 35 yachts TS Vigilant and TS City Liveryman. They provide nationally-recognised RYA training for those wishing to gain qualifications and experience in yacht sailing.[31]

TS John Jerwood and TS Jack Petchey

TS John Jerwood in Alderney on 15 August 2016.
TS John Jerwood in Alderney on 15 August 2016.

These two vessels are the cadets' offshore powered training-ships. They are 24 m (78 ft 9 in) long and each cost about £2.6m. TS Jack Petchey is so named because the Jack Petchey Foundation donated £1m in order for it to be built. The Jerwood Foundation donated £1,216,700 for the construction of TS John Jerwood. The training ships can hold between 12-16 cadets, four permanent staff, and two CFAVs and provides an experience at sea focussing on deck work, navigation, bridge watchkeeping, cook/steward, and marine engineering. Each vessel is fitted with twin Perkins Sabre Type M215C Turbo Diesel main engines, each giving 200 shp (150 kW) at 2,500 rpm.[32]

Current Inshore Fleet

Trinity 500 rowing boats

The Trinity 500 is a stable fixed-seat rowing boat, purpose-built for the Sea Cadets to deliver the full SCC Rowing Scheme. The boat has also been approved by British Rowing, to allow for the delivery of their Explore Rowing Scheme.[33]

Investigation into sexual abuse

In 2012 payouts made to victims of sexual abuse across all Cadet Forces totalled £1,475,844. In 2013 payouts totalled £64,782, and in 2014 payouts totalled £544,213.[34]

In 2017, a Panorama episode entitled "Cadet Abuse Cover-Up" highlighted sexual abuse cases in the British Cadet Forces. In a 1979 case of sexual abuse of a 14-year-old cadet in Hertfordshire, the boy's parents were dissuaded from reporting the offender to police by Sea Cadet officers in full uniform, who had visited their home. The offender was neither dismissed or suspended but instead promoted to oversee 10 cadet units in London.[35] Further historical cases have been investigated with settlements being made.[36] In the years 2012 to 2017 there were 28 allegations of sexual abuse made against SCC volunteers, including historical allegations. All 28 offenders were dismissed and referred to the police.[35]

See also

Other elements of the Community Cadet Forces

Other MoD sponsored cadet forces

Other Sea Cadet organisations

Related articles

Notes

  1. ^ My God refers to an individual’s own faith and is intended to apply equally to those from all faiths or none. (Sea Cadets' Ethos, 2019, p4)
  2. ^ Currently does not exist as a volunteer rank within the Sea Cadets
  3. ^ introduced August 2009

References

  1. ^ "Sea Cadet History". www.sea-cadets.org. Sea Cadet Corps. Archived from the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  2. ^ "MOD Sponsored Cadet Forces Statistics: 2023". Archived from the original on 4 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Bermuda (St. George's)". www.sea-cadets.org. Sea Cadet Corps. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "History". www.sea-cadets.org. Sea Cadet Corps. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  5. ^ Raisborough, Jayne (1 January 1999). "Research note: the concept of serious leisure and women's experiences of the Sea Cadet Corps". Leisure Studies. 18 (1): 67–71. doi:10.1080/026143699375069.
  6. ^ "Sea Cadets". Chartered Surveyors Livery Company. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  7. ^
    • "Sea Cadet Corps Unit Planned by RN Assn". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 30 May 1964. p. 11. The Royal Naval Association is to form the Colony's first Sea Cadet Corps.
    • "Sea Cadet Corps". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 13 January 1966. p. 4.
    • "After Annual Admiralty Inspection...High Praise for Local Sea Cadet Unit". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 10 April 1967. p. 9. Commander A. J. Boyd, Commanding Officer of H.M.S. Malabar, made the first annual Admiralty inspection of the Bermuda Sea Cadets in a short ceremony at the Mariners Club on Friday night.
  8. ^
  9. ^ "Obituary of Captain Kenneth Gilbert Ross Hallam". The Royal Gazette. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Bermuda Sea Cadets parade in Cornwall". The Royal Gazette. Bermuda. 19 August 1974. p. 5.
  11. ^ "Medway Victory Sea Cadets". Holcombe Grammar School. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020.
  12. ^ a b "3.1. Corps Values Training » Sea Cadet Chaplaincy". chaplain.org.uk. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023.
  13. ^ a b c "Sea Cadets - Find out what you can do at Sea Cadets". www.sea-cadets.org. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Junior Sea Cadets". www.sea-cadets.org. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024.
  15. ^ "The Sea Cadet turns 80!". Sea Cadet Magazine. 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  16. ^ "The Duke of Edinburgh and the Armed Forces". Royal.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  17. ^ "Prince Andrew dropped as admiral of Sea Cadets youth charity, but Scots golf society takes no action on scandal-hit patron". The Sunday Post. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  18. ^ "Princess Anne: Military titles and patronages". Forces News. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  19. ^ "How we are managed". Sea Cadets. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Volunteer - See Our Available Volunteer Roles - Sea Cadets". www.sea-cadets.org. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024.
  21. ^ "With junior Sea Cadets you earn badges". Sea Cadets. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  22. ^ "Senior Cadets". Sea Cadet Chaplaincy. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Royal Warrant for Cadet Force commission" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2024.
  24. ^ "Uniforms". Market Harborough Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  25. ^ Godfrey Dykes. "The Navy at work and when at Action Stations: No.4 IAWD and No.5 Work Dress". Royal Navy Communications Branch Museum Library. UK: Royal Navy Communications Branch Museum Library. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  26. ^ Sékou Hendrickson (4 September 2025). "Sea Cadets get new uniforms in line with Royal Navy standard". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda: The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  27. ^ "New Ship Appeal". Sea Cadets. Archived from the original on 17 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  28. ^ Durham, Nick (9 August 2013). "New Royalist to be built". Yachting Monthly. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  29. ^ "New Ship Appeal". Sea Cadets. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  30. ^ "Sea Cadets award Spanish shipyard £4.8 million contract". BBC News. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  31. ^ "Operation Celtic Discovery 2014 – Chorley Sea Cadet Corps". Ulysses Trust. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  32. ^ "New training ship for sea cadets". Maritime Journal. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  33. ^ "Fixed Seat Rowing". British Rowing. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  34. ^ Quinn, Ben (28 December 2014). "Ministry of Defence pays out £2m to settle cadets' sexual abuse claims". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  35. ^ a b Razzall, Katie; MacSorley, Jane (4 July 2017). "Sex abuse was covered up at cadet forces, Panorama finds". BBC News. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  36. ^ Quinn, Ben (9 November 2020). "Sea Cadets charity settles out of court in sexual abuse cases". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiral_of_the_Sea_Cadet_Corps