If you’re a homeschooling parent looking for a unique way to build leadership, confidence, and real-world skills in your child, you’ll love learning about the Sea Cadets.
Imagine a program where young people develop teamwork, discipline, and even maritime skills—all while embracing adventure and community. That’s exactly what the Sea Cadets Corps offers, and today, we’re joined by Rear Adm. Andrew Lennon, U.S. Navy (retired), Executive Director of Sea Cadets, to talk about why more homeschooling families are getting involved.
From thrilling training exercises to life-changing personal growth, we’ll explore what makes this program such a valuable experience.
From the Sea Cadets website, SeaCadets.org, here’s their mission statement:
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (Sea Cadets) is the Navy’s youth development program.
We give young Americans skills, knowledge, and confidence through an amazing variety of training opportunities. Sea Cadets wear uniforms, work as teams in a disciplined environment, and adhere to our core values of honor, respect, commitment, and service.
As you’ll hear Rear Adm. Andrew Lennon, U.S. Navy (retired) in our interview, the Sea Cadets give skills, knowledge, and confidence to youth to help them become productive Americans.
We were honored to speak with Admiral Lennon on episode 304 of the Homeschool with Moxie Podcast.
Opportunities for Homeschoolers in the Sea Cadets
Sea Cadets are young women and men from age 10 through high school. These students join one of 400 units across the United States, including Guam and Puerto Rico, and participate in a local unit drill one weekend a month.
There are so many skills that your student can explore and learn, including advanced training camps in:
- Navy Special Operations
- Robotics
- SCUBA
- Submarine Training
- Culinary Arts
- Cyber Security
- Field Operations
- Military Police
- Medical Training
- Music & Band
- History & Heritage
- Photojournalism
- and more!
Your students will see growth in interpersonal skills, working as a team, and communication as they participate in week-long trainings. As they learn skills related to the maritime services – Navy, Coast Guard, and USMC – your student can narrow down their interests or build their skills.
Time Commitment & Flexibility
Sea Cadets do participate in unit trainings one weekend a month. Then, your student can participate in weeklong trainings in the summer once or multiple weeks.
Because homeschoolers tend to have more flexibility in their schedules, you may find that joining the Sea Cadets is a great addition to your homeschool routine. Or, if you assemble a local Sea Cadet unit of homeschooled students, you can craft the monthly drill time to fit your homeschool schedule. Reach out to the Sea Cadets to see if this is a possibility!
Character Development & Leadership
Of course, one of the biggest benefits to homeschoolers joining the Sea Cadets is the character and leadership development. Your student will get confidence by trying hard things in a safe environment, and then if they fail, they will learn to try again and succeed. This all aids in growth and character.
Plus, the disciplined environment is great for many kids. The Sea Cadets wear a full uniform and have physical fitness requirements. Your student will learn perseverance and hard work.
Career & College Benefits
You may be interested to know that only about half of the students who go through Sea Cadets end up joining the armed forces. About half of the Sea Cadets go on to college. The skills and discipline they learn in the Sea Cadets aids their performance no matter what they pursue after graduation.
How Homeschool Families Can Get Involved with Sea Cadets
There are over 6000 cadets in 45 states and territories run by 2000 volunteers! There is likely a Sea Cadet unit near you. And you can be a Sea Cadet volunteer even if you never served in the military. In fact, Admiral Lennon mentioned to me that they could use more homeschool moms and dads!
So, if you want to get involved with the Sea Cadets, see if there is an existing unit near you. Or, if there’s not a local unit, your homeschool group may want to set up a new Sea Cadet unit if you have enough interest. Definitely reach out and get connected to see if this is a possibility.
The Sea Cadets will be a great complement to your homeschooling efforts by adding those important soft skills to the academics you’re already covering at home.
Follow the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps on social media:
- The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (@americaseacadets) • Instagram
- U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps – YouTube
- x.com/seacadets
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/u.s.-naval-sea-cadet-corps/
- Andy Lennon | LinkedIn
