The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC or NSCC) is a U.S. Navy-based youth organization that serves to teach persons 13 to 17 years old about the sea-going military services, community service, citizenship, and an understanding of discipline  and teamwork.  Another version of the NSCC, the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC), exists for youth be-tween the ages of 11 and 13.

The NSCC was founded in 1958 by the Navy League of the United States at the request of the Department of the Navy. In 1962, the USNSCC was chartered under Title 36 of the United States Code as a non-profit youth organization with an emphasis towards the sea-going ser-vices of the United States. The law was amended in 1974 to allow female participation in the USNSCC.

In 2000, the US Congress found that the NSCC and related programs "provide significant benefits for the Armed Forces, including significant public relations benefits."Although under no service obligation, a sizeable percentage of cadets later join the military. Members may receive an advanced paygrade of E-3 if they join the Navy or Coast Guard, and E-2 in the Ma-rine Corps or other services, due to the training they receive. Former Sea Cadets also repre-sent a percentage of students at the five federal service academies.

May Port Sea Cadets were commissioned August 15, 1966 as Carrier Group Six Division. the name later changed to McDonnell Division, Mayport Battalion and finally Mayport Division. There have been 14 commanding officers, with our present commanding officer LCDR Sue Lounsberry serving for the last 10 years, with last 7 as commanding officer. We were the 12th unit in Region Six and the 132nd unit in the nation.

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LCDR Lounsberry received the following e-mail - Captain Baker USN (Ret) is the senior Sea Cadet guy in the front office in Wash DC. To get a "pat on the back" from him is strong medicine. Richly deserved big BZ to LCDR Sue Lounsberry and her staff and thanks for your support Mayport Navy League. - Francis Floyd

CDR Lounsberry,

The latest Sea Count (end of July) shows that the Mayport Division continues to be one of the Units in the special category of "above Minimum Manning Numbers"... -- Much appreciated, since having Units in this special group is a major goal of mine. -- THANKS!!!!....

In addition to being in this select group, Your Unit has continued to recruit, train, and retain cadets -- and has increased enrollments by eleven (+ 11) Sea Cadets, three (+ 3) League Cadets, and five (+ 5) Adult Leaders (19 additional enrollments) since the end of December of 2009. -- Impressive!!!!! -- Thanks!!!!

The Mayport Division not only has enough Sea Cadets to be in the M/M group -- but also enough enrolled League Cadets to make that group too (if a Training Ship).

I know that recruiting and retention is tough in today's environment, but am im-pressed that You and Your unit have set an example that it can be done. I am also glad to see so many League Cadets enrolled, since some Unit COs do not seem to want to deal with the younger cadets. I am a strong supporter of the League Cadet part of our Program too -- and am convinced that this is a great alternative to drugs and gangs as well as "seed corn" for the Sea Cadet part of the Program.

I have a personal goal (but also good for the Program and for the additional young people who could benefit from what our Program does for them) of Minimum Manning for 43% of the Units in the Southeast by the end of this year. Your efforts have con-tinually kept your Unit as one of those that I can count on to reach that goal.

I also want to say "Thanks" for working so hard to support the Summer Training Program. It is my opinion that this is the best part of our Program, and the one thing that certainly separates us from the other good Youth Development Programs -- since I can think of none that offer the type of trainings that we provide.

Thanks again for All that You do.

Respectfully,

R. B. Baker

Mayport Sea Cadets

Are the BEST!