FY21 U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Defense Appropriations Conference Request

FY21 Defense Appropriations Conference Request/Recommendation: Senate accept in conference the House mark of an additional $4.3M in funding to a PBR of $1.7M for $6M in total appropriations for the Sea Cadets in Navy O&M BA3 1804N, Line 470 3C1L Recruiting and Advertising.

Issue: The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps program is consistently underfunded in the Navy Recruiting Command’s Presidential Budget Request (PBR) and cadets and their families must rely on added congressional funds to help fund their training. $1.7M in funding has been identified in the DoN FY21 PBR, but the need is far in excess of $1.7M. Historically underfunding the Sea Cadets puts in jeopardy this valuable youth training program that prepares annually over 8,600 young Americans for service to their country and communities in 396 units located in 46 states, DC, Guam and Puerto Rico. Sea Cadets need the HACD mark to prevail in conference and final passage.

Navy O&M BA3 1804N        Line 470 3C1L Recruiting and Advertising

FY21 PBR:                             $206,305,000 ($1.7M in that line for U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps)

FY21 HAC D Mark:               $210,605,000 ($4.3M added to PBR for the Sea Cadets by the House)

FY20 Total Enacted:              $208,328,000 ($4.3M added in FY20 for Naval Sea Cadet Corps)

Background: The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) was chartered by Congress in 1962 and has trained over 175,000 young Americans since its inception. The Sea Cadets are the only congressionally chartered, military-oriented youth program where the participants (cadets and adult volunteers) are responsible for paying many of the program expenses out-of-pocket.

The USNSCC excels at developing the U.S. Navy's and other services future leaders, as reflected by consistently providing a source of quality Sailors and Officers to the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and other services. The USNSCC directly enhances the Navy's primary recruiting goal of ensuring awareness of the Navy and its mission.  In 2019, the U.S. Navy Recruiting Command confirmed by matching names and social security numbers, that 45% of the Sea Cadets graduating out of the program as High School seniors joined the United States Navy. In 2018, 128 Sea Cadets reported they were entering the US Naval Academy. Through self-reporting, another 20% of Seniors join another service every year.  

The USNSCC is a non-school based program reaching a wide age range of students, ages 11-17, with a bulk of the program costs falling on cadet families. The Sea Cadets are funded by the Navy at a fraction of the cost per student compared to NJROTC ($1.7M versus $56.3M). The USNSCC promotes interest and skill in seamanship and aviation, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  Units and Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and National Guard partners also provide training in special forces, security, cybersecurity, diving and conduct military skill competitions. USNSCC instills qualities that mold strong moral character in an alcohol-free, drug-free and gang-free environment.

The USNSCC is a non-profit organization and 91% of all funds directly support training program expenses.  Prior to sequestration, many of the training costs like housing cadets on Navy bases in barracks during training sessions was covered by local commanders.  Downward financial pressure on the Navy has now forced them to pass many of those overhead expenses on the Sea Cadets. Funds would help reduce high costs to cadets and their families, and help retain them, train them, and increase their likelihood for future service.

POC: Sea Cadet Government Relations:  Mr. Doug Denneny, ceo@coaspire.com (M) 703-915-0582