New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps

New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps
Active	1929 – present
Country	New Zealand
Allegiance	Queen Elizabeth II
Branch	New Zealand Cadet Forces
Type	Volunteer Youth Organisation
Motto	Ready Aye Ready
Commanders
Chief of Defence Force	Lieutenant General Richard Rhys Jones
Commandant of the NZCF	Commander Glen Stokes, RNZN
Insignia
Ensign

The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) or Sea Cadets, is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the Air Training Corps, and the New Zealand Cadet Corps. Its members are civilians. Members have no obligation to join the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) however some do choose to join the NZDF. The NZDF is partnered with the civilian Sea Cadet Association of New Zealand (SCANZ).

History

The SCC traces its roots back to 1929 when the first open Sea Cadet unit was formed in Christchurch, by the Canterbury Navy League. Units formed in the four main centres and were controlled nationally by the Canterbury branch of the League.

Organisation

National

The SCC, as a component of the New Zealand Cadet Forces, is managed at a national level by the Commandant NZ Cadet Forces (usually a Regular Force Lieutenant-Colonel or equivalent), who is part of Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force staff in Wellington. At community level, The SCC are represented by the Sea Cadet Association of New Zealand.

Area

The country is divided up into 3 areas, Northern (Northern half of the North Island), Central (Southern half of the North Island) and Southern (entire South Island). Each area has a NZCF Training and Support Unit, commanded by an Area Co-ordinator, with Advisors for SCC units.

Unit

Each unit is managed by the Cadet Unit Commander, and his/her officers. There are seventeen Sea Cadet Units (also known as Training ships) across New Zealand.

North Island Sea Cadet Units

• NORTHLAND-TS Diomede (Whangarei)
• AUCKLAND-TS Bellona (Hobsonville, North Auckland)
• AUCKLAND-TS Leander (Devonport, Auckland)
• AUCKLAND-TS Achilles (Central City, Auckland)
• AUCKLAND-TS Gambia (Otahuhu, South Auckland)
• WAIKATO-TS Rangiriri (Hamilton)
• BAY OF PLENTY-TS Chatham (Tauranga)
• WANGANUI-TS Calliope
• OTAKI-TS Tutira (Levin)
• WELLINGTON-TS Taupo (Mana)
• WELLINGTON-TS Tamatoa (Petone)
• WELLINGTON-TS Amokura (Hataitai)

South Island Sea Cadet Units

• NELSON-TS Talisman (Port Nelson)
• CANTERBURY-TS Steadfast (Cass Bay, near Lyttelton, Christchurch)
• CANTERBURY-TS Cornwell (Redcliffs, Christchurch)
• OTAGO-TS Waireka (Dunedin)
• OTAGO-TS Nimrod (Port Chalmers)

Membership

Cadet Members

Cadets can join if they are between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. The units provide uniforms, but may hold bonds to ensure that they are returned. Unit fees are set by each unit annually, but are normally between NZ$10-$20 per term.

Cadets may in time be promoted to Non-commissioned officer (NCO) ranks, which are based on the rank structure of the Royal New Zealand Navy. New members are referred to by the rank of "New Entrant", before progressing to "Ordinary Cadet", then "Able Cadet", which are awarded following the completion of a test administered by the unit. Ranks above this (in order: "Leading Cadet", "Petty Officer", "Chief Petty Officer" and "Master Cadet") are only awarded after the completion of joint training courses held with other units of the Sea Cadets, as well as the Air Training Corps and New Zealand Cadet Corps. Cadet ranks are often abbreviated by omitting the "Cadet" suffix.

Adult Members

Adult Members can serve in two capacities: Commissioned Officers or Civilian Instructors. Officers are commissioned into the New Zealand Cadet Forces, with the post-nominal letters NZCF, at the rank of Ensign, and can be promoted to Sub-Lieutenant and Lieutenant, after completing the necessary training and service. The highest rank attainable is Lieutenant Commander, which is available only to Unit Commanders. Civilian Instructors are civilians who help train cadets. They do not wear uniform, but they are generally treated similarly to officers by cadets.

Activities

Parade Nights

Every unit holds Parade Nights around 2-3 hours long weekly during school terms. Each parade night usually begins and ends with a parade. The starting parade is used to inspect uniforms, and to inform the cadets on the parade night's activities. The final parade to inform the cadets on upcoming events in the unit. Between the parades, the cadets undergo classroom, or practical instruction.

Shooting

Units conduct regular range training with smallbore rifles. Some units have their own armouries and ranges at their parade hall. Cadets must pass a TOETS (Test of Elementary Training Skills) before being allowed on the range. Each year the Smitt Trophy shooting competition is held between all the Sea Cadet Units in New Zealand.

Boat work & Rigging

Develop and maintain safe seamanship skills in power, sail, oar, and paddle craft, and learn the correct way to utilise ropes and pulleys.

Other Activities

• Drill
• History of RNZN
• Dress and bearing
• First Aid
• Navigation
• Radio procedures

Courses

Tri-Corps Courses

• Junior Leaders Course
• Senior Leaders Course
• Advanced Leaders Course
• Junior Outdoor Leaders Course
• Senior Outdoor Leaders Course

SCC Courses & Competitions

• Cadet Sailing Charge Course
• Area Sea Cadet Skills
• National Sea Cadet Skills
• Sea Time

National Efficiency Competition

Each year, the Sea Cadet Association of New Zealand (SCANZ) holds a competition for the most efficient unit in the country. Each area (Northern, Central and Southern) selects one unit. Then a naval officer inspects each of the three units chosen and selects a final winner. The winning unit keeps the trophy for a year, and earns a placement for one cadet aboard the sail training ship Spirit of New Zealand.

See also

Sea Cadets

• International Sea Cadet Association
• United Kingdom Sea Cadet Corps
• Other nations' Sea Cadet Corps

Navy League

• Navy League of New Zealand

External links

• Training Ship (TS) Steadfast Website. Sea Cadet Unit in Christchurch, Canterbury
• International Sea Cadet Association
• New Zealand Cadet Forces Web Site