Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q. What are the sea cadets ?
A. Sea Cadets are boys and girls between the ages of 12 to 18, who have an interest in the water, boats, engines, sea lore, military training, naval history, physical fitness, learning team spirit and cooperation, having fun with like minded kids and adults, etc. They are people who are looking for an adventurous, rewarding and enjoyable experience with a strong nautical theme. On reaching the age of 18, cadets, with suitable advancement, can apply to become adult civilian instructors or uniformed Petty Officers.
Q. What do the sea cadets do?
A. All Sea Cadets receive instruction in a wide variety of new skills. Cadets have the opportunity to get involved in many activities. Not just at the Unit, but also with other cadets throughout the U.K., as well as experiencing life afloat or in a Royal Navy shore establishment. Cadets interested in sea training get the opportunity to experience voyages (at highly preferential rates) on a fleet of power and sail training vessels operated by the Sea Cadets Association. But for many cadets, their first experience of life afloat is often on inland waters, where they can learn to sail, canoe, windsurf, row or operate a powerboat under close supervision by qualified instructors.
Q. Why become a sea cadet with Banbury Unit?
A. Because it's great fun and you will learn all kinds of really interesting things. You'll go to places none of your friends will probably ever have the opportunity to go to! If you are drawn to the sea, then this is the outfit for you!
Q. What are the requirements to join?
A. All prospective cadets must be between the ages of 12 to 18 years and have parental consent. They must possess good moral character, in addition to being interested in the programme and being prepared to attend parade nights regularly. You don’t have to attend weekends but we find the more you do in the sea cadets, the more you learn, grow and become an independent young person.
Q. How long does it take to join?
A. You can join with the minimum of fuss and delay. You will normally be enrolled as a new entry and we will give you some introductory training. This is designed to put you at ease when you parade in uniform for the first time.
Q. Can you join if you are under 12?
A. Yes, Banbury has a Junior Sea Cadet section and you can join this if you are 10 or over, uniform is different, but much of the training is the same. Juniors attend only on Thursdays although on special occasion’s they may also attend on Monday evenings.
Q. When are the Parade Nights?
A. Every Monday and Thursday, 1900 - 2130 (7.00pm-9.30pm).
Q. Do we only do drill during parade evenings?
A. No. Drill is a very small part of the training provide. Of course when we are going to be on parade in public we do practice, but parade nights involve more than just drill, we do advancement training one night a week which helps cadets move up through the ranks and we do specialist training such as Sailing, Canoeing, Communications etc. on the other night.
Q. What do we do at our parades?
A. Our meetings are like many other uniformed organisations. We teach marching, discipline, military history and traditions, first aid, weapons respect, field operations, shipboard operations, mechanics, etc.
Q. I sometimes have other activities on one of the Parade nights. Can I attend only one night a week?
A. Yes, but to be fair to yourself, the staff and other cadets, you should attend well over 50% of Parades. If you only come occasional you will not get the full benefit of the training provided.
Q. Are there any compulsory parades?
A. Each cadet must attend a number of ceremonial parades during the year: the Annual Trafalgar Day Parade, on the anniversary of Admiral Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in 1805; the Remembrance Sunday Parade; and the Annual Royal Naval Inspection are the three main ones. There are also a number of special parades held in Banbury, such as Armed Forces Day and as we like to support our local community cadets also attend quite a few events put on in the Town such as Canal Day, and the Town Mayors Fun Day.
Q. Do I have to pay for parade evenings I don't attend?
A. Yes, unless a request for leave has been put in or if the cadet is ill and notifies the ships office. If you do not request leave the amount will be deducted from your deposit should you leave and is at the discretion of the commanding officer.
Q. What equipment and clothing is provided by the unit?
A. The unit will normally provide all Uniform and appropriate safety equipment for activities to enable the cadet to participate in the activities on offer. The cadet provides a pair of boots for parades that are kept clean for and parades. Presentation is important in the sea cadets.
Q. What do my parents have to do to enable me to take part?
A. Parental consent in the form of a P10 when you first join is required. Then every time you undertake any activities away from the unit parents will need to sign a T1 (Consent Form) which the staff keep with them for that activity..
Q. Can my parents visit the Unit?
A. Yes, parents and friends are always welcome, but we ask that visitors bear in mind that Cadets may be under instruction, so let us know if you want to come down, we can provide tours, explain what we do and also show the sea cadet DVD to see what its all about. The DVD contains pictures and video of our cadets and other cadets around the country in action and at play.
Q. Can parents become involved with the unit as well?
A. You most certainly can - we need your participation! Whatever time or skills you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Remember the unit is a charity and all its staff are unpaid volunteers so the more help the better. Just speak with the Commanding Officer about what our unit's current needs are and how you might be able to contribute.
Q. What commitment do I have to make?
A. Sea Cadets undertake to attend parade nights on a regular basis, to take care of their uniforms and to obey their instructors.
Q. Who runs the unit and what qualifications do they have?
A. The Unit's Commanding Officer runs the unit on a day-to-day basis. All staff undergo training in the requirements of the Sea Cadet Corps, but any skills they already possess are put to good use. All supervisory staff are required to follow the Sea Cadets 'Code of Conduct' and are subject to vetting procedures before being offered a unit appointment.
Q. What about the physical requirements?
A. Applicants should be fit or be willing to get fit to get the best out of what the sea cadets have to offer.
Q. What about boys and girls with disabilities?
A. The Sea Cadets welcome young people with disabilities.
Q. What does all this cost?
A. Surprisingly little. Contributions to Unit expenses are £1.00 every parade night. This is to cover normal parade activities. Occasionally, outside facilities are hired to aid training i.e. swimming, football, where an additional small contribution may be required to offset costs. Even a weeks course, food and travel at Royal Navy base can cost as little as £60.00. The normal cost of a District training weekend is just £10.00,plus £3.00 towards travel costs.
Q. Is the uniform expensive?
A. You do not have to purchase a uniform - it is available on loan from the Unit. Please note that cadets must provide their own parade boots or shoes as these are not normally provided. A non-refundable deposit for your uniform which currently is £10.00 (which will in turn by used to buy specalised badges and rank slides when needed for your uniform).
Q What about insurance?
A. All Cadets and staff are fully insured to take part in Sea Cadet activities.
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