The Choice to Choose: Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts – Perfect Together!

By Joseph P Cirone

For youth, ages 10 to 18, the choices competing for their weekend and school vacation time, are many. Sports, Boy and Girls Scouts, Church and youth group activities, to name a few.

Select groups of youth are excited to participate in physical fitness, leadership and personal organizational skill learning sessions, teamwork, friendly competition and problem solving training and practice.

A smaller number of those groups invest some weekend and after-school time learning first aid; basic seamanship and navigation; naval heritage, customs, courtesies, shipboard watchstanding and standards of conduct; water safety and survival; fire fighting and damage control. For them, it is fun and interesting. It is also helping pave their way toward a college scholarship and a better life, as well.

For one particular group, their extracurricular activities help them build teamwork, respect for each other, honor, courage and commitment. It gives them an appreciation for some of what military men and women endure daily – all goals of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps’ program. To invest their time in this way is a choice they make.

 

Sea Cadet Seaman L. Farzam (left) salutes while approaching Sea Cadet Midshipman J. Maye (right), during a Sea Cadet Drill at the Washington Navy Yard. Photo by Cadet KA. Plata.

But standing at attention for long periods of time, saluting and marching in a formation, makes others realize that life is not always fun, nor interesting. But many people make the choice not to participate in such activities. For those youth, other possibilities exist; one of which is joining the Sea Scouts, a co-ed component of the Boy Scouts of America. By doing so, they exercise the “choice to choose.”

Choosing to participate in either the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps or the Sea Scout program is just the beginning. There are courses to take, classes to attend, places to go and, of course, new people to meet.

No Trophy for Just Showing Up

“You don’t take home a trophy for just showing up,” explained Ensign Maria Gonzalez, NSCC, the Administrative Officer of the Henry E. Mooberry Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, based at the Washington Navy Yard in the nation’s capitol, and a U.S. Navy veteran.

Sea Cadets in a formation aboard USS Kearsarge for training while underway on the Atlantic Ocean in May, 2008.  Photo By Joseph P Cirone

Gonzalez, who was the unit’s Operations Officer in 2008, is the unit’s most senior Ensign and currently a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy. Like other adults affiliated with the Sea Cadet unit, she volunteers an average of one or two weekends each month, helping males and females, ages 10 to 18, from a 50-mile radius of the Navy Yard, prepare for a more successful future.

“Our Cadets can earn scholarships to go to college, they get better prepared for life in general and can even join the military at an advanced paygrade or become an officer, after leaving our program, meanwhile, they avoid the perils of drugs, alcohol, gangs, premature pregnancy and single parenthood. But they don’t just show up and walk out with all kinds of benefits, they have to want to be here and they earn their promotions, just like they will in adult life,” she pointed out.

You Can Watch or You Can Do

Lieutenant Commander Joseph P Cirone. NSCC, Commanding Officer of the Mooberry Division, which includes nearly 100 personnel, said, “Sea Cadets are a cut above their peers at school and in their neighborhoods, they get to learn and do things their friends and others wish they could. The others get to watch, our Cadets get to do.”

With other Sea Cadets (left) looking on, Cadet M. Walsh sits behind a U.S. Marine Corps machine gun while undergoing training aboard the USS Kearsarge on the Atlantic Ocean in May, 2008.  Photo by Joseph P Cirone

“It’s a choice between doing something worthwhile during non-school hours for their future, or not. Many think that sports or certain other activities will get them ahead, but the odds are against that from happening. For example, I understand the odds are one out of 16,000 to be a sports success. While perhaps more realistic, even getting a sports related college scholarship is difficult. The odds of getting a college scholarship and more from our program are much better. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for, or a desire to have, sports and other activities in a person’s life – in fact, I support and encourage it. Our program makes it easy to do both,” he continued.

Recruit Cadets participate in a four-way Tug-of-War sports event during Boot Camp at Coast Guard Station Beach Haven, NJ in August, 2008.  Photo courtesy of Recruit Training Orientation Staff, Beach Haven, NJ

Sea Cadets attend training sessions (Drills) an average of one or two weekends per month, throughout the year. Additionally, Cadets attend boot camp and special (advanced) training during time off from school in the winter, spring and summer, and in between other commitments in life – including, family vacations, Church and sports.

Cadet R. Eichler (right) and an unidentified male Cadet (left) jogging on an early August morning, during a PT evolution.  Photo courtesy of Recruit Training Orientation Staff, Beach Haven, NJ

Whenever the Cadets are participate in a Drill or other activity, they wear a slightly modified version of the U.S. Navy’s uniform and they practice all of the time-honored military customs and courtesies, including saluting, marching and standing at attention.

Twelve year-old Cadet R. McFadden shows the kind of determination and focus necessary for acceptance into the U.S. Naval Academy as he participates in a Sea Cadet physical fitness training session in November, 2008.  Photo by Cadet KA. Plata

High Expectations; High Stakes

“We are a reflection of the Naval Services, because most people can’t easily tell the difference between our 14 to 18-year old Cadets, for example, and 17 or 18-year old enlisted Navy, Coast Guard or Marine Corps personnel, when in uniform or a formation. If one of our Cadets or adult volunteers failed to properly salute; had poor military bearing or we looked bad while marching or presenting the colors at a ceremony, then it reflects poorly on all naval personnel and Sea Cadets, nationwide. We take that responsibility seriously. We have the burden to ensure that our Cadets look and act in the highest traditions and standards of the sea services. It also adds a sense of pride in the minds of naval personnel, defense industry executives, and members of Congress that help support us,” Cirone remarked.

A Sea Cadet company in formation during a July, 2008 ceremony.  Photo by Joseph P Cirone

If that were not a high enough expectation to meet, “we are considered to be the ‘Flagship of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps,’ the face of Sea Cadet units, nationwide. Additionally, the Sea Cadet program is considered to be the ‘Flagship of the U.S. Navy League’ – Citizens in support of the Sea Services. When the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Chief of Naval Operations; Commandant of the Coast Guard or Marine Corps; Congressmen or Senators encounter us at the Navy Yard, Capitol Hill, Arlington National Cemetery, at the Navy Memorial, on the Potomac River or elsewhere in the Washington DC metropolitan area, they don’t see the Mooberry Division, they see the Sea Cadets. Plain and simple – if we look and act well, then in their minds, the Sea Cadets looked and acted well and the Navy League is administering the program well. The converse is also true,” Cirone said.

Power Boating or Sailing; Military-Like or Not – It’s a Matter of Choice

With an action-packed program, there is no doubt that the Washington Navy Yard’s Sea Cadets work hard, play hard and are anxious to get to their destination, wherever it may be that day, month, year, or in life. They need to get to where they are going, safely and quickly.

When on maritime safety and security patrols with the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Cadets operate on power boats so they can get to search and rescue (distress) calls in a hurry. Operating on a sailboat would not be practical for the Cadets.

The males keep their hair short and face clean shaven; the females keep their hair up off of their collar and wear minimally allowed jewelry.

They spend a great deal of time making sure their uniform shoes are spit-shined and their clothes have razor-edged creases in them.

Sea Cadets get underway on U.S. Coast Guard boats as part of the vessel’s crew and help perform maritime safety and security patrols, including search and rescue. Cadets K. Herbert and J. Vorus were among those to recently have done so at U.S. Coast Guard Station Washington DC.  U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Joseph P Cirone

For them, steadying themselves on the deck of a Navy amphibious landing ship or a Coast Guard Cutter rolling in angry seas; being on the flight line at a Marine Corps air station, as an MV-22 Osprey aircraft taxies into position before lunching skyward; or waking up inside a tent at the Army’s Fort Lewis, WA, to the damp, cool morning during the Sea Cadet’s three-week Field Medical Training course, are among the choices they have.

They have a love for the naval services and choose to follow the military’s way of life, even though they are not in the military, nor have an obligation to join it.

In contrast, other youth enjoy the warmth of a sunny day, relaxing on a casual cruise down the Potomac River, being splashed by sea spray on a wind-swept Chesapeake Bay day on the deck of a boat propelled by a gentle breeze; having hair fly free in the air; and the wind’s force, massaging their bare legs, as they lounge in shorts and wear recreational footwear, such as boat shoes.

Strict military bearing, marching and saluting are not topics that are of major concern to them. They choose to participate in a less stringent, more relaxed program.

One groups of teens with the desire to become better citizens, while experiencing a slower, less stringent, non-military pace are members of Sea Scout Ship 7916, based in Occoquan, VA, which is sponsored by Occoquan’s Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7916.

The flag of Sea Scout Ship 7916 flies proudly from the mast of a sail boat on the Chesapeake Bay during a day cruise.  Photo courtesy of Sea Scout Ship 7916

The Sea Scout program is “designed to develop character and leadership skills in young men and women, ages 14-21, through hands-on experience and real life adventure,” Woodbridge, Virginia resident, Shay Seaborne, the unit’s “skipper,” said.

The Same, But Different

According to Cirone, “the Sea Scouts and the Sea Cadets have similar goals, but have different approaches. When it comes to Sea Scout Ship 7916 and the Henry E. Mooberry Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, our primary intent is the same: we both want to help area youth develop into good Patriotic and productive citizens, but we use the military system of leadership development and its resources, whereas the Sea Scouts do not.”

“Our Cadets and their Scouts are nearly total opposites when it comes to their choices. The Cadets use power boats, the scouts use sail boats; we wear military uniforms for all of our activities, they do not; we act in a strict military manner and meet military haircut regulations, they aren’t required to; and we get along just great. We respect each other, our differences and have a special kind of synergy between the two units,” Cirone said.

Whether a Sea Cadet underway in an aircraft carrier, amphibious assault ship or Coast Guard Cutter; or as a Sea Scout on a sailboat, the youth share the need to maximize their time afloat. They have the opportunity to apply the theory they learn in classrooms to real life on the seas. “It literally hits the deck,” Seaborne pointed out.

They plot courses; steer the vessel; stand lookout watches; practice leadership and teamwork; help perform vessel maintenance; apply physics, nautical and local history, “and even learn to how to pump waste out of the head (bathroom) on a small boat or sailboat,” Seaborne stated.

While Sea Scouts routinely learn about trimming a sail and with the guidance of adult supervision, are in charge of the boat, including planning the day’s trip; determining and preparing the meals; and cleaning up in the galley (kitchen); Sea Cadet involvement in a Naval vessel’s plan of the day depends largely on the vessel type and its mission.

A Sea Scout of Ship 7916 relaxs near the bow of a sail boat and serves as the forward lookout during a cruise on the Chesapeake Bay.  Photo courtesy of Sea Scout Ship 7916

While not to the high military standards followed by Sea Cadets, the Sea Scouts also practice a form of following military customs and courtesies, including saluting and standing at attention. Additionally, they have grooming standards, which while permitting longer hair, must be kept free of the facial area.

 Like the differences and similarities between the youth in each unit, there are differences and similarities in the leaders of both groups as well.

Cirone, a former Sea Scout himself, has been affiliated with, and an avid supporter of, the Coast Guard, Navy and the regimentation of military life since about age 11.

Preferring the excitement, danger and fast pace of jobs he has held in the public safety and military occupational fields, he prefers power boats and has spent over 500 hours per year operating on them. He dislikes mundane work behind a desk, a slower pace in life and too much unproductive or relaxation time.

Seaborne is the mother of two children, a full-time administrative assistant for a prominent political leader, and a homeschool and community affairs advocate. She long desired to be involved in the Sea Scout program, since her teenage years, when she was denied membership because she was a female. For her, spending time with her children, taking care of the house, bicycling, living at a more relaxed pace and being on a sailboat as often as possible, are some ways she prefers to spend her non-work hours.

For both leaders, volunteering for causes that help make life better for others is at the center of their non-work lives, regardless of the great personal hardship and sacrifices that comes with such dedication.

Both share a love for the outdoors and for engaging in creative writing. Both have a long history of volunteering in a number of different organizations and programs, but the youth program that each heads consumes most of their time and energy. Each of them invests as much as thirty to fifty hours per week performing the multitude of tasks that need to be accomplished to ensure their respective programs remain successful.

A happy group of Sea Scouts from Sea Scout Ship 7916, have a moment of fun while aboard a sail boat.  Photo courtesy of Sea Scout Ship 7916

Cirone became involved with the Sea Cadets in the 1980s, at the request of a Coast Guard Vice Admiral and was further encouraged by a Navy Rear Admiral. He has helped the Navy Yard’s Sea Cadet unit continue its hard-earned, long-held and widely-respected reputation as one of the largest and best award-winning units in the country. “I am trying to live up to the standards and great reputation that Lieutenant Commander Henry E. Mooberry, my mentor in the 1980s, had and the unit earned,” Cirone added.

Seaborne, one of the few female Sea Scout leaders in the country has been earning a reputation of her own while helping her unit garner wide acclaim within the community and Sea Scout program. In early 2008, the scout unit received recognition from the Boy Scouts National Capital Area Council, as the best and most active new Sea Scout unit in the region. She became involved with the Sea Scouts in 2007 at the request of Town of Occoquan Mayor, Earnie Porta, who helped form the unit, along with members of the local VFW Post.

Joint Ventures

Introduced approximately four years ago by Mayor Porta, a mutual acquaintance, Cirone and Seaborne had a conversation in late 2007, shortly after the Cirone took command of the Sea Cadets’ Mooberry Division and the Sea Scout unit was officially chartered in Occoquan, with Seaborne as its leader. They discussed the possibilities of cooperation between the two units and plans were made to conduct joint activities.

In March, 2008, the Sea Scouts traveled to the Washington Navy Yard and spent a weekend with the Sea Cadets, learning first aid and taking a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary basic boating course, taught by a Sea Cadet instructor. Youth and adult volunteers intermingled throughout the training sessions and during an overnight stay, “but it was obvious the youth in each group had their own inclinations. Still, it worked very well.” Cirone recalled.

In September, 2008, members of both units were invited as guests and attended the esteemed Lone Sailor Dinner, a formal one-thousand dollar a plate event, hosted by the Navy Memorial in Washington DC. There, members of both units met influential members of Congress, business and the military, including Coast Guard Veteran and world-famous golfer, Arnold Palmer.

In December, 2008, VFW member Stuart Sanford, a Navy veteran; a founder of the Sea Scout unit and its chartered organization representative, arranged for and presented a celebrated VFW award, complete with medal, ribbon and an impressive certificate, to an outstanding Sea Cadet, on behalf of VFW Post 7916, recognizing her accomplishments.

In January 2009, the Sea Cadets spent time at the VFW Post in Occoquan, teaching the Sea Scouts the basics of military drill – marching, formations and saluting to help them prepare for a March, 2009 Sea Scout awards ceremony in New Jersey, where the scouts will be honored for their accomplishments and participate in a semi-formal ceremony.

Sea Cadet Recruit Company Commander B. Thompson (left) and Cadet R. Lucas (back to camera) teach Sea Scouts (background) how to properly salute, during a joint training session.  Photo courtesy of Sea Scout Ship 7916

Assessing the day’s training, Seaborne wrote, “I think my scouts were a little worn out at the end, but they seemed to mostly enjoy it. Some said that if they had any question about whether or not they would join the military, that training settled it. I believe it was a very good experience for them, whether or not they end up doing more drill later in their lives. Your group did such a great job of indoctrinating my scouts. I truly appreciate your taking the time and effort to come down and put my scouts through their paces.”

Just before they head to the Northeast Regional Bridge of Honor award ceremony and the Sea Scout Ball in New Jersey in March, the Sea Scouts will again visit the Washington Navy Yard to spend a weekend polishing their military drill skills, enjoying joint fellowship, a special tour of the USS Barry, conducted by the Sea Cadets, and learning how to properly wear, crease the edges and care for the Navy-style dress uniforms they recently acquired and need to wear for the New Jersey ceremony. Selection to participate in the awards ceremony and Ball is considered a huge honor in the Sea Scout program, so the scouts want to look as sharp as possible.

Sea Cadet Petty Officer Second Class K. Herbert demonstrates the proper way to tie a Navy Dress Uniform (not shown) neckerchief for members of Sea Scout Ship 7916 during a joint training session.  Photo courtesy of Sea Scout Ship 7916

Concluding her assessment of the past joint training, and in particular, January’s military Drill training, Seaborne wrote, “The overall energy in the room was very high and positive, and that bodes well for other joint events.” As a result, additional joint ventures, including having the Sea Scouts teaching the Sea Cadets the finer points of maintaining a boat, sailing and an opportunity for both units to participate in a survival weekend camping trip, are also being planned.

Helping Hands

In the meantime, both units continue to cooperate and enjoy time with other units in their respective programs, as well as seek additional opportunities with other groups. For example, the Navy Yard’s Sea Cadets routinely work with Sea Cadet units in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia; Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; Fort Detrick, Maryland and Dahlgren, Virginia.

The unit has recently traveled to help train other Sea Cadet units in Augusta, Georgia and Raleigh, North Carolina. In the last year, a number of its Cadets and adult volunteers have served in key staff positions at recruit (boot camp) and advanced medical, leadership and other training courses, which have lasted as long as three weeks, in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Washington (State), onboard U.S. Navy ships on the Atlantic Ocean and at an International Exchange Program, where they helped host Sea Cadets from Singapore, Ireland, Canada, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Cadet B. DeShong (right) and Sea Cadets from five other countries give a “thumbs up” to the training they are getting at the Sea Cadet International Exchange Program.  Photo by Ensign Janice K. Lavoie

Additionally, the unit has a long-standing relationship with the Navy’s Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NJROTC) at Frederick Douglass High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and similar programs throughout the National Capital Region. “The Sea Cadet program significantly enhances the school-based JROTC programs on the weekends and during school breaks. The JROTC programs complement our program and their students make great Sea Cadets. We currently have five JROTC Cadets in our unit and all are doing very well” Cirone pointed out.

Similarly, the Occoquan-based Sea Scout unit has participated in joint activities with other Sea Scout units from Springfield, Virginia and in the Chesapeake Bay area. They have attended two joint Winter Training sessions in the Catoctin Mountains, near Camp David in Maryland; helped perform maintenance on the region’s sail training vessel and enjoyed a week-long Summer cruise on a sailboat, enabling the scouts to gain valuable hands-on sail and navigation training.

“Upon assuming command of the Sea Cadet unit, I brought a vision to not only make sure our unit continues to be among the best in the Nation, but also help other units be the same. That vision is embodied in our motto of having a Proud Tradition, Worthy Mission and a Bright Future. That includes our unit working to help not only other Sea Cadet units, but also our partners in youth development in the JROTC, Sea Scouts, and other organizations, as well. When it comes to the relationship between the Navy Yard’s Sea Cadets and Occoquan’s Sea Scouts, we consider it just perfect together,” Cirone concluded.