This section is your go-to reference as a Sea Cadet. Whether you’re just starting out or already in advancement, these resources are here to help you understand the traditions, expectations, and everyday language.
Cadet Fundamentals
Learn the core values, traditions, and knowledge every Sea Cadet is expected to know.
Already a Sea Cadet? Use this section to refresh your knowledge and stay sharp.
HONOR– We always conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner. We are honest and truthful. We abide by an uncompromising code of integrity. We hold ourselves accountable. We take responsibility for our actions. We keep our word.
RESPECT – We treat all people with dignity, fairness, and compassion. We believe in the power of diversity. We foster an inclusive culture within the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. We instill trust and respect within the chain of command, both as followers and leaders.
COMMITMENT – We prioritize the safety and care for the professional, personal, and spiritual well-being of our fellow cadets and volunteers. We seek to operate as a team to improve the quality of our work, our people, and ourselves. We pursue positive change and constant improvement for ourselves, our shipmates, and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
SERVICE – We place the priorities of our country, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Merchant Marines, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and our shipmates above our own. We strive to be our best by building moral courage, instilling trust, and inspiring hope in those we serve and those with whom we serve.
I PPROMISE to serve faithfully, honor our flag, abide by Naval Sea Cadet Corps Regulations, carry out the orders of the officers appointed over me, and so conduct myself as to be a credit to myself, my unit, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and my country.
I am a United States Sailor. I will support and defend the constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me. I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and all who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world. I proudly serve my country’s Navy Combat Team with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.
- To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
- To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
- To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
- To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.
- To quit my post only when properly relieved.
- To receive, obey, and pass on the sentry who relieves me all orders from the commanding officer, command duty officer, officer of the deck, and officers and petty officers of the watch only.
- To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
- To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
- To call the officer of the deck in any case not covered by instructions.
- To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
- To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
- All hands – Everybody – the entire crew, both officer and enlisted.
- Aye – Yes, or I understand.
- Aye-aye – Reply to an order or command meaning “I understand and will comply.”
- Barracks – A building onshore where Sailors live/sleep.
- Chow – Food.
- Colors – Raising or lowering of a national flag, the national colors is the American Flag, aka the national ensign. Each military branch also has its own organizational colors.
- CO – Commanding Officer, the head officer in charge of a Sea Cadet unit.
- Cover – Hat worn in uniform, including ball caps.
- Dixie Cup – The canvas white hat Sailors and cadets, PO1 and below, wear with their dress uniforms.
- Executive Officer – The officer who is second in command, aka XO.
- Head – Bathroom; Head call – bathroom break. Say “Request permission to make a head call” if you want to use the head.
- Master at Arms (MAA) – Staff cadet who enforces regulations and discipline in the unit, runs working parties, works directly for the CO, and reports to the CDO for watch concerns. Aka MA, the rating (job title) for Navy law enforcement personnel.
- Muster – To assemble the division; roll call.
- POM – Plan of the Month, the official schedule and notes published by a unit each month.
- PRT – The Physical Readiness Test, where a cadet is required to perform a plank, pushups, and a 1-mile run in a given time based on age & sex.
- PT – Physical Training. A required exercise regimen during Sea Cadet evolutions.
- PT Gear – The athletic clothes required to be worn for unit physical fitness activities.
- Quarterdeck – Designated area or formal space at the entrance of a building or ship where you request permission to enter.
- RT – Recruit Training – a 9-day indoctrination (“boot camp”) for new Sea Cadets
- Seabag – A large green canvas bag used to pack Sea Cadet gear. Equivalent to the Army’s duffel bag.
- Seabag Inspection – Official check of items based on a seabag list.
- Secure – To lock up; put away; stop work.
- Shipmate – Any fellow cadet.
- Taps – Time to sleep, end of the day. The bugle call played at the end of the day on military bases, funerals, and other memorial ceremonies.
Anchors aweigh, my boys, anchors aweigh.
Farwell to foreign shores, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night ashore, drink to the foam!
Until we meet once more,
Here’s wishing you a happy voyage home!
Stand Navy out to sea, Fight our battle cry!
We’ll never change our course,
So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.
Roll out the TNT,
Anchors Aweigh, Sail on to victory
And sink their bones to Davy Jones, Hooray!
