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About The Sea Cadet Corps
The Sea Cadet Corps is made up of 20,000 boys and girls aged from 10-18 from all walks of life, all races, and all backgrounds. From the East End to the Orkneys. Some come from prosperous parts of our land - many from areas of high unemployment and deprivation.
The first Sea Cadet Unit was started in 1856, but the Navy League formed the Corps as a national organisation in 1899. Today the Sea Cadets, including the Marine Cadets and Junior Cadets, are organised on a town or city basis throughout the United Kingdom. It is NOT a pre-service or a Para-military organisation; it IS a youth organisation - and a registered charity.
There are 400 units all over England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Each with it's own name and identity - just like a naval ship - and each with it's own uniformed Sea Cadet Officers. All have one thing in common - the facilities provided for the Sea Cadets to take part in activities in which self-discipline, leadership, and a sense of responsibility to the community are encouraged.
The accent is on the Sea - sailing and boat work have a high priority and most Units, even those inland, have access to water and boats.
The Corps consists of six regional areas, with each Area Officer organising sporting and training activities, while other activities are arranged on a National level. These include visits to HM ships, courses in RN training establishments, sailing, and pulling regattas, and voyages in the square-rigged sail training vessel, the brig T.S. Royalist.
T.S. Royalist has a small permanent crew, and the remaining 26-crew members consist of officers and cadets under training. This training in practical seamanship also engenders self-confidence, teamwork, and companionship, all part of the Aim of the Corps.
Most Units hold twice weekly parades, and are open at other times for specialist training in seamanship, engineering, communications, band practice, cookery, IT skills, and meteorology. All the cadets can also take part in adventure training, map reading, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is for all young people, including those with special needs, between the ages of 14 and 25. It gives opportunities for personal achievements, adventure, community and social involvement and a widening of interests. There are three Awards: Bronze, for those over 14; Silver, for those over 15 and Gold, for those over 16. All Awards must be completed by the 25th birthday and started by the 23rd birthday. To qualify for an Award a young person must satisfy the requirements of the following four sections: Service, Expeditions, Skills and Physical Recreation. For the Gold Award, a young person must also undertake a Residential Project.
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Our Aim
The aim of the Sea Cadet Corps is to help young people towards responsible adulthood by encouraging valuable personal attributes and high standards of conduct using a nautical theme based on the customs of the Royal Navy.
Through adventurous activities Cadets become self reliant, and through teamwork Cadets develop consideration and respect for others. The Corps encourages high personal standards and a sense of purpose, and provides a sound foundation for future Careers.
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Corps Structure
The nation is broken into six areas. Rochdale Unit is in North West Area.
North West Area is then broken into Districts. Rochdale Unit is in North East Lancs District.
There are 8 Units in the District. They are Rochdale, Burnley, Wigan, Bury, Oldham, Bolton, Middleton & Chadderton and Hyndburn.
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Sea Cadets
After undergoing new entry training young Sea Cadets are issued with their uniform, this is based on the Royal Naval uniform of today. From this point on the cadets strive to attain promotion, (the Sea Cadet Corps has adopted the Royal Naval rank structure) this is achieved by earning points. To earn these points follows and completes a training syllabus in the cadet specializations and proficiencies, these include Writer/Stores, Electrical engineering, Cook/Steward, Sailing, Canoeing, Seamanship, Shooting, Music, Piping, others. The cadets can not only learn these and other subjects with the unit but also have the opportunity to visit regular Naval ships and establishments to undergo advanced training.
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How Do I Join, What Do I Need To Know
Uniform How to Find Us
Sea Cadets & Marine Cadets
There is an initial deposit of £25.00. Once this deposit is received, the Cadet will be issued with both uniforms, which are then exchanged for new uniform as required throughout the Cadet's service.
Cadets will need to purchase their own boots or shoes. However, these are normally available from the Unit for a nominal charge.
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Camps
Camps are normally quite inexpensive but do vary from location to location. A rough guide is shown below for information only.
The cost of the camps includes transport, accommodation and food.
Camp Type Normal Cost
Unit / District / Area Weekend £10.00 to £12.00
Unit / District / Area Week £25.00 to £50.00
National Week (on RN Base) Less than £20.00
Week on T.S. Royalist £150.00, but this can normally be halved through sponsorship
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Information for Parents & Supporters
Parental Consent
Your child will never attend a weekend / week activity without you prior written consent.
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Supervision
The Sea Cadet Corps imposes very high standards on its staff members to ensure that any supervisor has the correct qualification for the activity.
Cadets will always be issued with the relevant safety equipment (such as lifejackets) before an activity commences.
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Special Needs
Rochdale Unit will do it's very best to accommodate any children with special needs. Please speak to the Commanding Officer if you have a child that requires special attention.
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Funding
Although the Sea Cadet Corps do receive help from the Royal Navy in certain areas, we are totally self-funding for the day-to-day running costs.
Rochdale Unit owns it's own boat station on Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough to which we are always fund raising to improve the current facilities.
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How can I help?
We have an active Parents and Supporters Association who raise money for the Cadets needs. New members are always more than welcome. The PSA meets on a monthly basis and organise social and fund raising events.
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