Local Sea Cadet Corps re-launches ceremony Oct. 6, on Lexington

The Texas Division of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is being “relaunched” during a ceremony on Oct. 6, at 10 a.m., aboard USS Lexington Museum on the Bay.

At the request of the Department of the Navy, the Navy League of the United States established the USNSCC in 1962 to “create a favorable image of the Navy on the part of American youth.” Today’s U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps continues to further the image of our maritime services by adhering to a standardized training program designed to:

*Develop an interest and ability in seamanship and seagoing skills

*Instill virtues of good citizenship and strong moral principles in each cadet

*Demonstrate the value of an alcohol-free, drug-free and gang-free lifestyle

*Expose cadets to the prestige of public service and a variety of career paths through hands-on training with our nation’s armed services

The Sea Cadet program is open to youth ages 10 through 18. Registration is available year-round to all Coastal Bend area youth. The Texas Division Unit meets and drills aboard the Lexington under the command of Capt. Jim Jones, USN (Ret.).

“The re-establishment of the Texas Division of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps in the Coastal Bend area of Texas is exciting for the cadets, Lexington Museum, community, Navy, and Coast Guard. The Coastal Bend area of Texas has a long history of outstanding support of the sea services. Couple that with the innumerable opportunities available aboard the Lexington, and Texas Division will soon be one of the best units in the country,” Jones said.

“This would not have been possible without the support of the Corpus Christi chapter of the Navy League and the Lexington Museum.

“It is a great honor and privilege for me to command Texas Division,” Jones added. “The Sea Cadets gave me the start I needed. The things I learned as a cadet kick-started my Naval career which spanned more than 38 years of active duty. I truly believe that I would not have had the career I had without the Sea Cadet experience.”

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps is comprised of everyday young people and offers opportunities in a wide assortment of activities: STEM, seamanship, aviation, cyber-defense, medical, culinary arts, diving, construction, photojournalism, master at arms, music, EMT, and much more. Cadet applicants must be drug-free, physically fit, and maintain a minimum “C” average. Emphasis is placed on teamwork, responsibility, and the importance of core values.