U.S. Naval Sea Cadet

What U.S. Naval Sea Cadet does

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization, federally chartered under 36 USC 154106 and designated as the official youth program of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. Founded in 1962 and headquartered at 2300 Wilson Blvd, Suite 200, Arlington, VA, the organization serves approximately 20,000 young Americans aged 10–18 (5th grade through high school) through two divisions: the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) for middle schoolers and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) for high schoolers. Programming is delivered through a decentralized network of 325 local units meeting monthly for drills, with required Recruit Training for first-year high school cadets and optional advanced trainings across aviation, seamanship, SCUBA, medicine, robotics, cybersecurity, drones, and skilled trades. The technology layer is intentionally lightweight: a standardized Physical Readiness Test (plank, push-ups, 1-mile run) for fitness gating and online training modules for rank advancement. Operations are supported by 2,400+ adult volunteers contributing more than 278,000 hours annually and a 12-person National Headquarters staff led by Executive Director Rear Adm. Andrew Lennon, USN(Ret).

The business model blends participant fees, charitable contributions, and corporate sponsorship. Participant revenue includes a $125 annual national enrollment fee, $50–$200 unit-level fees, ~$300 per training event, and one-time uniform/gear purchases ($100–$400) producing first-year per-cadet revenue of roughly $675–$1,225 and $475–$625 thereafter. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families. A tiered corporate sponsorship program (Platinum: Navy League of the United States; Silver: Crowley; Bronze: UKG, SPA; plus Mission Partner and Friend-level supporters) provides employer-funded revenue tied to workforce development narratives. Donations are supplemented by the 1962 Society for major donors (gifts of $1,962+), monthly recurring gifts, stock donations, and employer matching. The organization allocates more than 80% of its budget directly to cadet programs and training, holds Charity Navigator's four-star rating, and is ADA-compliant.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: prospective families use the website's unit locator map to submit inquiries, with most units accepting new members in September and January; summer and winter advanced trainings serve as marquee recruitment and retention touchpoints. Distribution is domestic-only across the United States, organized under five Area Commander regions (Southeast, Northwest/South Central, Pacific Southwest, North Central, Northeast). The organization maintains an Alumni Association for former cadets and a volunteer Board of Directors dominated by retired Navy and Coast Guard flag officers.

Name

U.S. Naval Sea Cadet

Legal name

Naval Sea Cadet Corps

Website

https://seacadets.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a 501(c)(3) youth development nonprofit and official youth program of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, serving approximately 20,000 cadets aged 10–18 across 325 local units nationwide through military-style leadership training, rank advancement, and specialized career-exploration trainings funded by enrollment fees, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Leadership Development

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Preparatory Schools & Academy Prep Programs (EDAHAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) & Officer Candidate Schools (OCS/OTS) (EDAHAOAJ)

Keywords

• Youth leadership development
• Military-style cadet training
• Maritime career exploration
• Character education programs
• Nonprofit youth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Enrollment Fees: Annual enrollment fees cover official enrollment and insurance. Unit fees support local operations including facility use, training materials, supplies, and administrative costs.
2. Training Fees: Recruit Training costs approximately $300 for required first-year training. Additional trainings run roughly $300 each with no cap on opportunities. These week-long residential programs include instruction, meals, and lodging.
3. Uniform and Gear Sales: Uniform packages (dress and working uniforms) range from $100-$400; Sea bag essentials (personal basics) range from $100-$200. These are one-time purchases per growth stage.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: 501(c)(3) charitable organization accepting donations. 80%+ of budget allocated directly to cadet programs and training. Various giving options including monthly recurring gifts, stock donations, and employer matching.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships at Platinum, Silver, Bronze, and Mission Partner tiers. Benefits include workforce development, career exploration, community engagement, public relations value, employee engagement, and reach to 20,000 households.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps operates a two-tier youth development program serving young Americans ages 10-18: the introductory Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) for middle school students and the advanced Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) for high school students. Cadets participate in monthly drills at one of 325 nationwide units, advance through ranks mirroring the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, complete required Recruit Training, and may attend week-long Advanced Trainings in disciplines such as aviation, SCUBA, robotics, medical, and seamanship.

Product overview

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps operates two core youth development programs: the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) for middle school students (ages 10+) and the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) for high school students (ages 13+). Both programs feature monthly drill sessions, rank advancement systems mirroring military structures, and access to advanced summer and winter trainings. The NLCC serves as an introductory program while the NSCC offers more advanced training including Recruit Training (RT) and specialized Advanced Trainings in aviation, maritime, medical, robotics, and cybersecurity fields. The organization also maintains an Alumni Association for former cadets and the 1962 Society for major donors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC): Introductory program for middle school students (grades 5th-8th, ages 10 and older) with optional week-long Navy League Orientation.
• Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC)

Products and services

• Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) Introductory youth development program for middle school students in grades 5-8 (ages 10+). Cadets wear uniforms, train in a disciplined environment, and advance through ranks mirroring the U.S. Navy and Merchant Marines. An optional week-long Navy League Orientation is available.
• Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) Advanced youth development program for high school students in grades 9-12 (ages 13+). Cadets wear uniforms, learn about maritime services and career fields, and advance through ranks mirroring the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. Includes access to summer and winter Advanced Trainings.
• Recruit Training (RT) Required 9-day residential training for high school Sea Cadets in Year 1, including daily routine, instruction, meals, and lodging. Cost is approximately $300. Optional Navy League Orientation (NLO) is available for middle school cadets.
• Advanced Trainings Week-long career-focused residential trainings in three categories: Training at Sea (seamanship, sailing, small boat operations, submarine seminar, SCUBA), Training in the Air (aviation, airman training, FAA Ground School, aviation maintenance, drones), and Training on Land (shipbuilding, trade and technical skills, special operations, public safety, cybersecurity, recruit and leadership training). Approximately $300 each with no cap on participation.
• Cadet Uniform and Gear Dress and working uniform packages priced $100-$400, plus sea bag essentials (personal basics) priced $100-$200. One-time purchases corresponding to each growth stage in the program.
• Sea Cadet Alumni Association Alumni network offering shipmate connection, virtual events, volunteer and donation opportunities, and ambassador service for former Sea Cadets.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80%+ of budget allocated directly to cadet programs and training
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Navy League of the United StatesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum Partner providing foundational support for the Sea Cadet program. The Navy League is an organization of civilian citizens who support the Navy and Marine Corps, providing resources and advocacy for youth maritime education.
• CrowleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver Partner supporting Sea Cadets workforce development initiatives in the maritime trades. Crowley is a maritime and energy solutions company with strong ties to naval and commercial shipping operations.
• UKGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Partner supporting Sea Cadet programs. UKG provides human resources and workforce management solutions, aligning with workforce development mission.
• SPA (Sanford Promise/Strategic Programs)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze Partner supporting Sea Cadet initiatives and community engagement programs.
• NavAideminorOthersFriend-level partner supporting Sea Cadet programs.
• FMDminorOthersFriend-level partner supporting Sea Cadet programs.
• Persistent SystemsminorOthersFriend-level partner supporting Sea Cadet programs with technology or professional services.
• Five and ThriveminorOthersMission Partner supporting Sea Cadet workforce development and wellbeing initiatives.
• UHMS (Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society)minorOthersMission Partner supporting medical training aspects of Sea Cadet programs.
• America 250minorOthersMission Partner supporting Sea Cadet programs in commemoration of American history and values.
• RivencoreminorOthersMission Partner supporting Sea Cadet programs and initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/seacadets
• Facebookfacebook.com/usnscc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about U.S. Naval Sea Cadet