Navy Sea Cadets can be a great place to start:
http://www.seacadets.org/public/programs/nscc/
Some teenagers are near a base where they can obtain training in Navy procedures. They are issued uniforms and drill on the weekends (sometimes monthly, bi-weekly or weekly). They complete courses and learn to march and work as a team.
It helps them keep their nose clean through their teen years before they join the military.
My son achieved Chief which is rare for a teenager...Both Eagle Scout and Sea Cadet training will give your sailor a paygrade jump upon enlistment.
Find a Sea Cadet unit...
http://dolphin.seacadets.org/US_units/index_public.asp
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Thank you Sir! And thank you for mentoring our Sailors!
This is great info...I hope more new parents will discover this tip. It is an excellent program for teaching them a lot before they get to bootcamp. Familiarity with the jargon, uniform how to, and who to salute and when is so useful! It builds a lot of confidence!
I miss those days when we would be driving along singing to a cadence CD! LOL
Otto Mueller said:
Absolutely. I was CO of a USNSCC unit in Florida, and all my cadets who had completed at least one year of training went in at E-2 by me forwarding their red jackets.
If you have a son or daughter in 8th grade thru Sophomore year in school who expresses an interest in the Navy or Coast Guard because they have an older sibling already in, you should get them on board with a cadet unit. First off, it will give them an excellent opportunity to understand if the Navy is for them. Secondly, it will prepare them mentally and physically for the Navy should that be their choice to serve, and Thirdly, like NavyDCparent said, it will keep their nose clean. I had a CPO who had been in NLSC thru age 18 in USNSSC who was sharp as a tack, went in BC as E-2 and was E-3 by week four. All USNSCC units are very community oriented and perform many great public services.
Even if your child is a senior in high school, it is worth their time and effort to be in the Sea Cadets. They may not make a very high rate, but they will learn the ropes (literally). This is an outstanding organization that the Navy values highly, and it is actually a part of the USN.
Absolutely. I was CO of a USNSCC unit in Florida, and all my cadets who had completed at least one year of training went in at E-2 by me forwarding their red jackets.
If you have a son or daughter in 8th grade thru Sophomore year in school who expresses an interest in the Navy or Coast Guard because they have an older sibling already in, you should get them on board with a cadet unit. First off, it will give them an excellent opportunity to understand if the Navy is for them. Secondly, it will prepare them mentally and physically for the Navy should that be their choice to serve, and Thirdly, like NavyDCparent said, it will keep their nose clean. I had a CPO who had been in NLSC thru age 18 in USNSSC who was sharp as a tack, went in BC as E-2 and was E-3 by week four. All USNSCC units are very community oriented and perform many great public services.
Even if your child is a senior in high school, it is worth their time and effort to be in the Sea Cadets. They may not make a very high rate, but they will learn the ropes (literally). This is an outstanding organization that the Navy values highly, and it is actually a part of the USN.
Replies
This is great info...I hope more new parents will discover this tip. It is an excellent program for teaching them a lot before they get to bootcamp. Familiarity with the jargon, uniform how to, and who to salute and when is so useful! It builds a lot of confidence!
I miss those days when we would be driving along singing to a cadence CD! LOL
Otto Mueller said:
If you have a son or daughter in 8th grade thru Sophomore year in school who expresses an interest in the Navy or Coast Guard because they have an older sibling already in, you should get them on board with a cadet unit. First off, it will give them an excellent opportunity to understand if the Navy is for them. Secondly, it will prepare them mentally and physically for the Navy should that be their choice to serve, and Thirdly, like NavyDCparent said, it will keep their nose clean. I had a CPO who had been in NLSC thru age 18 in USNSSC who was sharp as a tack, went in BC as E-2 and was E-3 by week four. All USNSCC units are very community oriented and perform many great public services.
Even if your child is a senior in high school, it is worth their time and effort to be in the Sea Cadets. They may not make a very high rate, but they will learn the ropes (literally). This is an outstanding organization that the Navy values highly, and it is actually a part of the USN.
Great suggestion from NavyDCparent.