Who are we?
First, a bit of history...
Originally founded in June of 1998, our unit was commissioned as "The Flying Midshipman Training Air Wing." The unit was based out of TISCOM Coast Guard Base Alexandria and consisted of about 25 members. In June of 2000, LT Vinson Nash took the helm, leading the Alexandria Division through June of 2014 when he passed command of the unit to his successor. During the Nash Administration, the Alexandria Division transitioned to FT Belvior and was co-stationed with NMCB 23, a unit of Navy Seabees. The Alexandria Division's Color Guard is renowned, often receiving awards from various organizations for their proficiency. The Alexandria Division Color Guard had a working agreement with the USA Old Guard and is well-versed in ceremonial decorum.
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In June of 2014, LT Gloria Payne, a retired U.S Naval Supply Corps Officer took command of the Alexandria Division. During her tenure, the Alexandria Division changed their mission from Combat Construction to Community Service and Outreach. The Alexandria Division's staff expanded upon these ideals and created special teams to further the interests of the unit and give cadets an opportunity to specialize in certain fields during their time in the unit.
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Today, the unit is commanded by Lieutenant Jason Ellars, a US Navy veteran from the mine countermeasures community and an information technology specialist. Come check us out as we develop and train a new generation of Sea Cadets and prepare them to chart their own course!
What we do
We create leaders with character
Our program provides numerous benefits to its cadets – both tangible and intangible. Our cadets and alumni often cite the feelings of pride, camaraderie, respect and honor associated with their experience in the program. These immeasurable benefits are very important to us. They define us.
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NSCC engenders among its participants the value of an alcohol-free, drug-free and gang-free lifestyle. Through exposure to a unique team-centric, objective-based environment, cadets learn to demand the best from themselves and others.
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The program also provides quantifiable benefits to its cadets. Cadets who enlist in the armed services are often eligible for military advanced pay grade programs (up to two grades in some services). This means that a cadet who enlists in the Navy may be eligible for a higher rank and pay than his or her non-cadet counterpart. Being a cadet can also help individuals become more competitive for certain programs. More than 10 percent of the midshipmen in the most recent entering class at the U.S. Naval Academy were former cadets, a figure consistent over the past decade.
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As an official youth organization of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, the program educates its members in America’s rich oceanic traditions and teaches them the values of professional seamanship. Training received in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps helps to shape capable and competent Sailors and Officers for our maritime services and merchant marine.
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While cadets are not required to join the armed services upon graduation, they do so at very high rates. Our units report that every year a growing number of cadets choose to either enlist or pursue officer commissioning programs, such as the service academies, ROTC or OCS. According to former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead, each cadet who enlists saves the Navy more than $14,000 in life-cycle training costs.
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Our training program includes a wide variety of quality training evolutions, each based on the proven standards of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. Each cadet who enters the armed services is a disciplined, well-trained individual who typically adjusts better to the rigors of military service than those with no experience.
how we do it
Learn from the best
The Alexandria Division operates very much like a military reserve unit. We drill two days a month (a consecutive Saturday & Sunday, once per month). Cadets have the opportunity to learn skills as taught by active duty or military veterans, who are experts in their fields. Like the Reserve components, each cadet can sign up for, and attend a two week or nine day training event, offered both throughout the Summer and during the Winter breaks. Occasionally, additional training may be offered during the Spring time (Spring break). Often times, our unit is requested to - and participates in - special events, such as parades and military or Sea Services events across the Washington metropolitan area. Additionally, we partake in excellent field trips encompassing team building skills and/or military knowledge across all Services.
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Our cadets have amazing opportunities when it comes to the Winter and Summer training seasons. They will be able to interact with Active Duty military personnel and gain a whole host of professional-grade skills and knowledge.
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These training programs are held all over the country; some are close by, while other are as far as Guam! Our International Exchange Program also affords well-qualified cadets the opportunity to travel to other countries and experience the cultures they encounter with cadets in similar programs there.
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To the right, you can see some of the fantastic training opportunities our cadets have to choose from. If any of these courses are of interest to you, don't hesitate to contact us - we're happy to help you embark on your journey towards excellence.
- FAA Ground School
- NLCC Aviation Training
- US Coast Guard Shipboard Cutter Operations
- US Coast Guard Maritime Interdiction
- Navy Seabee Field operations
- Basic and Advanced SCUBA Dive Certification
- Food Service; Culinary Arts
- International Exchange Programs
- Leadership Development
- Basic, Advanced Medical and Medical Field Operations
- Photojournalism
- Ceremonial Guard
- STEM/Seaperch/Robotics/Cyber
- Music/Band
- Public Safety, Police/Master-At-Arms
- Firefighter school
- Marksmanship Program
- Life Guard
- Basic/Advanced Sailing
- Submarine school
- Special Operations
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School
- SEAL Training
how do i join?
If you're interested in becoming a part of our extraordinary organization, then you're not alone! Today, there are more than 13,000 young men and ladies in the Sea Cadet program.
If you are between 10 and 17 years of age and want to learn more about the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps and the Alexandria Division, ask a parent to please fill out our contact form at the bottom of this page. You can expect to hear back from us within a day or two. We'll set up a time where you can come and observe what we do, talk with our cadets and adult leadership to see if the NSCC is right for you. We'll be glad you stopped by!
