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| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Names | sea cadets • sea cadet corps |
| Pronunciation | |
Activity sectors | voluntary • communal • non-military |
Asea cadetpronounced in English (/ˈsiː kəˌdɛt/), also known as "sea cadet corps",pronounced in English (/ˈsiː kəˌdɛt ˌkɔːrz/), is defined as the non-government voluntaryyouth service sponsored by one'snaval force for youth interested in the maritime services.[1] Annually, sea cadets will commonly learn maritime traditions and the history associated with their maritime force.
The phrase sea cadet corps can be applied for more prominent sea cadet programs, 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 officially used in countries and territories ofAustralia,Barbados,Belgium,Bermuda,Canada,Germany,Hong Kong,India,Netherlands,New Zealand,Portugal,Russia,Sweden,Singapore,South Africa,United States,United Kingdom andZimbabwe.
Participation in community service may be prominent; related activities can include community outreach, public projects,food drives andfirst aid.[2] In general, sea cadet organizations are voluntary and do not require a service obligation, however, some organizations may provide advanced pay and ranks in the armed forces when recruited.[3][4][5] Some individuals receive medals and ranks depending on their organization's official structure, which are commonly inspired by an armed force relating to the maritime services.
The terminologysea cadet combinessea, fromOld Englishsǣ, meaning "large body of water," andcadet, from theFrench fromGascon dialectcapdet, a diminutive based on theLatincaput ‘head’. The conception of ‘little head’ or "inferior head" gave rise to that of "younger", "junior". Together, the full term refers to youth engaged in naval training programs.[6][7] The usual of the termcadet in a naval context dates to at least the early 17th century, when it was adopted intoEnglish to refer to officer trainees in the armed forces.[8]
The first publicised children sea cadet corps, for young people dubbed the "Yeovil Sea Cadet Corps",[9] was established in 1854, inWhitstable, Kent,England, formed by local communities seeking to provide maritime opportunities for young sailors. Local fishermen from the community helped the young sailors meet the requirements and funded all equipment with the exception being the funding and help received from businessmen and businesswomen seeking the same goal. The end of theCrimean War in 1856 sought the establishment of the second largest youth sea cadet congregation, addressed as the "Naval Lads' Brigade"[10] inLondon, England due to orphans that were described as "sleeping in the back streets",[10] and funded by local communities in England. In 1894 theImperial Navy League was formed in London, England. From 1889 to 1914, the country of England, was of victim to wide−spread imperialism, and significant propaganda implemented widely by the Imperial Navy League and often was challenged, from the public. The institution was described by the agitated public byMark W. Hamilton as a "Sea Power"[11] in one of the most well−renownedacademic journals known asThe Mariner's Mirror.[12]Canada, in 1895, founded theNavy League of Canada to promote maritime issues to the public, identifying as a non-government organization for youth.[13] Commencing towards the end of the 19th century in 1899,Queen Victoria (r. 1837–1901),[14] donated £10 (worth £1,000 in today's money) to theWindsor Unit to fund their uniforms.[10]
By the introduction of 20th century theImperial Navy League had adopted theWindsor Unit and later sought recognition from the admiralty.[10] Established in 1900,Navy League of Australia introduced theAustralian Navy Cadets under theNaval Defence Act developed by the later sponsor, theAustralian Navy in 1910.[15] In 1929, the firstSea Cadet Unit was established inNew Zealand dubbed theBoys' Naval Brigade, although training would later be disbanded a year later, other Sea Cadet Units continued their training after the 1930s.[16] Subsequently, inWorld War ᛁᛁ, multiple sea cadet organizations assembled around the world, accompanied by large expansion with an estimated 200 units in the United Kingdom being established, with an estimated sheer total of 10,000 cadets.[17] TheRoyal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps was created in 1955, and in 1957 theIndian Sea Cadet Corps was formed.[18] Coincidentally, a year later theUnited States Naval Sea Cadet Corps would befederally chartered by theUnited States Navy.[19] Progressing later, sea cadet programs continued to expand to other countries. From the late 1970s and early 1980s, sea cadet organizations became informed of the need for young girls to be allowed to participate. TheUnited States Navy League allowed young girls to join in 1974 from the introduction of United StatesPublic Law 67−855. Later inEngland in 1980, theGirl's Nautical Training Corps was officially administered in coordination with the Imperial Navy League. Gradually by the year 1995 theInternational Sea Cadet Association (ISCA) was formed which prohibited an organization's disqualification of a sea cadet based on an individual's gender, race, or religion and convictions for all sea cadet organizations with an active and non-active membership internationally.[20]
 | This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is:The total active member countries/states in theInternational Sea Cadet Association is inaccurate as a result it might need significant attention. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(September 2025) |
TheInternational Sea Cadet Association (ISCA) carries a monumental role in policy, regulations and the international right to be called a sea cadet organization, the broad fundamental goal is to inspire young individuals in the maritime sector and educate young individuals in international culture through itsInternational Exchange Programs (IEP).[21] There are a total of twenty one countries in the International Sea Cadet Association, each country is in it voluntary and can leave at any time although permanently in delegations.
"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[22]
Australia:
Barbados:Barbados Cadet Corps
Belgium:Royal Belgian Sea Cadet Corps
Bermuda:Bermuda Sea Cadet Corps
Canada:
Germany:Deutsche Marine Jugend e.V. (Sea cadet corps of Germany)
Hong Kong:Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps
India:Sea Cadet Corps (India)
Japan:
South Korea:Sea Explorers of Korea
Lithuania:Sea Cadets of Lithuania
Netherlands:Sea Cadet Corps The Netherlands (Zeekadetkorps Nederland)
New Zealand:
Portugal:Portugal Sea Cadet Corps (Corpo de Cadetes do Mar de Portugal)
Russia:Young mariners league of Russia
Singapore:Singapore National Cadet Corps (Sea)
South Africa:Sea Cadet Corps (South Africa)
Sweden:Swedish Sea Cadet Corps
United Kingdom:
United States:
Zimbabwe International | |
|---|---|
| Australia | |
| Belgium | |
| Bermuda | |
| Canada | |
| Hong Kong | |
| The Netherlands | |
| New Zealand | |
| Russia | |
| Sweden |
|
| United Kingdom | |
| United States of America | |