MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS.

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps is designed for mature young men and women, and is definitely not for everyone. Your application will be individually reviewed and prospective cadets should ensure that they meet all enrollment criteria before applying. To be considered for membership in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, you must satisfy of the following criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

Personal and Character Qualifiers:

You are a highly mature young man or woman, at least 13 years old, but not yet have reached your 18th birthday.
You are a United States Citizen.
You have no criminal record.
You understand that participation requires satisfactory grades and regular advancement in school.
You reject and renounce the use of drugs and alcohol, and agree to avoid illegal behavior while a member of NSCC.
You must be unmarried and agree to remain unmarried while a member.
You must attend 75% of drills and meetings.
You must agree to maintain neat, clean military image (inc. grooming standards).

You should be aware that cadets participate in strenous physical activity, including military-style group physical training, at each drill. Applicants will be best able to participate fully if they are physically fit and in good overall health at the time they join.

Program Cost

Currently, the first-year enrollment fee for a new cadet is $225. Thereafter, the yearly renewal fee is $150. Cadets will be loaned (at no charge) most of the uniforms they will need unless they are an unsually small or large size. Each cadet is obligated to return all uniforms loaned at the time he or she leaves the program.

Our total program cost is significantly less than other scouting or sports programs. Massachusetts Bay Division is 100% funded by enrollment fees and donations. In addition, the NSCC’s summer training programs (which are managed nationally, and not through the local unit) receive significant federal assistance. Thus, families only pay 30-50% of the actual cost of a typical 2-week training. This is a huge savings, and part of what makes the program such a bargain. All NSCC volunteers are unpaid. 100% of our income goes to directly support cadet training and unit operations.

Application Process

When you are ready to apply, fill out the Contact Us form. If you've been referred by a current cadet, please give us his/her name so we can let them know.

The NSCC will require the following three forms from each applicant:

NSCADM 001	You and your parents fill out this form. It lists basic things, like your name and address, your family’s contact information, and so forth.
NSCADM 020	You and your parents fill out this form. It lists all the important details of your medical history. Please be honest! Please note the medical conditions that might prevent you from enrolling. If you think you might have a disqualifying condition (asthma, diabetes, etc.), please consult a unit representative when you visit.
NSCADM 021	A licensed doctor must fill out this form and sign it. You may need to schedule a physical. If you’ve recently had a physical (maybe for sports programs in your school), your doctor should be able to copy the same information from your files onto our form.

Scheduling an in-person interview

When you contact us, we'll reply and invite you to visit the unit at our next drill. You must bring a parent or guardian. We generally meet twice per month, on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Coast Guard station in downtown Boston.

The interview is a critical part of the application process, and allows you to determine whether this is something you really want to do. It also helps us learn more about you and determine if you are a fit for our program. You and your parents will be able to speak with a senior officer from the unit and have any questions answered.

When attending your interview, please bring the following documents:

An original or certified copy of your birth certificate (for date of birth and citizenship verification -- we will not keep the copy.
Your most recent report card from school
Copy of your medical insurance card (front and back)