CO Welcome
Welcome,
Sea Cadets are young Americans ages 13 – 18 who always choose adventure, seek challenges, and step outside of their comfort zones. Sponsored by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, cadets train on military installations in a variety of fields proving that:
Leadership Has No Age!
Designated as the Commanding Officer of the John Paul Jones Division (Unit) I have the distinct pleasure of representing a fine group of individuals that aspire to progress in pursuit of Leadership. Leadership not through position, title, succession, vocal volume, etc., but Leadership through providing others the resources they need to be successful in overcoming challenges and offering them the opportunity to leverage those resources to their fullest.
That is my promise to the Cadets, “I will always do my best to provide them the resources and opportunities they need to overcome any challenge.”
Working towards these goals obviously requires some level of commitment, but moreover opportunity. To this end our unit "meets" the first, second, and fourth Saturdays of each month, and conducts a two-day drill on the third weekend of each month. About half of the drills include an overnight away from home. Meeting and drill attendance is extremely important to maintain continuity in the cadet experience.
The meetings focus on four (4) topics: 1) military customs and traditions, 2) physical readiness, 3) team building and 3) military exercises. The drills are the culmination of these in real world (controlled) circumstances. We do things that are dangerous, carefully.
These years in the cadets’ lives are very formidable and chaotic at times, often without much advanced notice. We commit ourselves to demonstrating genuine understanding when other events interfere, and we will never leave a cadet behind. With this commitment to the cadets, we find that those who have the most rewarding experience with the program are those who can commit to consistent attendance at meetings and drills, including any required preparations. This is not a requirement though. Minimum acceptable participation set by the broader aspects of the Sea Cadet Headquarters is attendance at 75% of annual drills, nothing more. But it can be appreciated that those who can prepare for these drills get the most value from them.
Cadets’ voluntary participation begins with some simple personal choices, i.e. haircuts that meet standards, uniform maintenance, etc. It can be thought of as a lifestyle.
Because this program is focused on progress, cadets will experience growing pains in a variety of ways, but we will absolutely never test them with more than we believe they can achieve in that moment. Personal growth requires that we leave some prior experiences behind, which is likely the most challenging task any person can ever face, and is often associated with some level of mental, emotional and/or physical discomfort; but that is the nature off growth.
Not despite the challenges and discomfort, but as a positive result of them, cadets will come to know a world of experience they never would otherwise and gain quantities of practical life experience without having to wait the number of years most others do.
I pride myself on being objectively honest not only with myself, but with others. If I am wrong about something I will likely be the first to make note of it, and if others need assistance that is what is provided, not criticism, insinuated derogation, etc.
Hoping that you can find trust in these words, your son and/or daughter are in good hands. My wife and I have raised four (4) children who have all become extremely successful in their own rights and the only thing we did was give them resources and opportunity; they did the rest, just as your children will. People instinctively want to make progress and grow, but often are unsure of what that looks like. We will show them!
Only because it is likely of interest to parents when relinquishing care of their children to others, I here share:
I enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of sixteen after graduating from high school early. After an Honorable Discharge I went on to a career in law enforcement for fifteen years, acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and a Masters of Business Administration. And recently began working on a second Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering.
My career progressed through a series of increasingly responsible positions across multiple domains ultimately finding myself working as a colleague to executives of multinational companies for more than a decade. I now work as a technology and management consultant.
Thank you for the consideration of allowing your son or daughter to participate in the Sea Cadet program.
