Whatever you want to do when you leave school, Sea Cadets will give you a bunch of stuff that will help you cope with the big world and enjoy what it brings.
While you're doing this...
Orienteering across Dartmoor, travelling abroad, rock-climbing, rowing, ceremonial drill and parading with a band, first aid, engineering, even weather-forecasting and power-boating…. and getting badges to prove it, perhaps taking part in national competitions…
…You’ll get all this
You’ll become confident in new situations. Feel more in charge of yourself and know how to make a good impression.
You’ll find you want to listen to others with more experience in life than you because you’ll quickly see how it gets you to where you want to go.
In turn, you’ll learn how to support people who are less experienced than you, which you can use to captain a sports team and stand out in interviews.
And think how it would feel to be able to walk into a room and feel at ease speaking with anyone!
You’ll gain positive habits and thinking that will last a lifetime.
I don’t give up’ will become just how you think!
And skills and qualifications
You’ll get all the support you need to show what you’re made of, whether or not you shine at school.
We need people with energy, who are happy to roll up their sleeves, get involved, and make a positive difference to teenagers who are often struggling in today’s world.
Gain excellent nationally recognised training qualifications along the way!
We have a range of different roles to choose from:
Watersports instructor
Share your love of being out on the water with the next generation, through the opportunity to teach watersports such as kayaking, sailing, powerboating, canoeing, rowing and windsurfing. Don't worry if you don't have prior experience, with us you can gain national qualifications with the RYA and BCU to teach, all you need is lots of enthusiasm!
Unit management team
If you aren't able to commit to a regular volunteering role, there's still plenty of ways you can get involved and make an impact – no commitment is too small and a role on a unit's Management Team could be a perfect fit. You could volunteer in roles such as Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary or Fundraising. These roles are perfect if you're not able to be at your local Sea Cadets unit every week, or if you have a specialist skill you'd like to share.
Unit instructor
Whether you opt to be a uniformed leader, or wear your own clothes, you can be hands-on, teaching cadets at your local unit. You'll run lessons, activities, games, projects and events that help cadets progress through The Sea Cadets Experience, gaining qualifications and confidence as they go. A role at a unit is ideal if you can support local young people on a regular basis, are happy to throw yourself into teaching activities and seek a rewarding role where you'll be the key to helping young people flourish into confident, capable young adults.
Join a band
If you can play the drums, a bugle, trombone, clarinet or even a glockenspiel, come and make some noise with us! A unit band can compete in things like our National Band Competition at the Tower of London, or take part in Trafalgar Day Parade, playing down The Mall, and your skills could get them there! If there isn't currently a band at your local unit, you could be the one to start one and help cadets discover a new passion!
Think outside the box
Whatever your experience and skills, they could be utilised to help young people flourish – photography, marketing, football coaching, IT, social media, finance, driving. The sky's the limit, so why not contact your local unit for an informal chat on how you can help them to keep the doors open.
Life feels different
Sea Cadets is different from school. There's a lot of learning. But it's done through activities – on the water and off the water – and our volunteers leading by example.
It's also different from home, a break from screens and being cooped up inside. The platform we offer is built on the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy. It inspires our work and commitment to supporting young people today.
Horizons open
Teenagers meet other cadets at events around the UK, and on trips abroad. Get comfortable with meeting people from different places and backgrounds, and confident in dealing with new situations, which can make going out into the world so much easier later on.
The support feels different, too
Our friendly, trained volunteers – some from a naval background, many not – are role models for cadets, looking out for them, and helping to draw out anyone who's shy.
If you think Sea Cadets sounds like having orders barked at you, think again. Many cadets do want to learn to be a bit more self-disciplined, and our volunteers will help with that and make it fun. But they also help young people to try things they've never done before, safely, and to support them until they achieve it.
A second family
Everyone looks after each other at Sea Cadets. There's a lot of respect in the air. And many teenagers and volunteers say it feels like a second family.
We take this responsibility extremely seriously and have robust, active safeguarding practices in place to ensure all young people feel secure and protected.