Either one is a step forward .. both will introduce you to the military.

My biggest exposure, was to the Sea Cadets (I'm a retired Chief Petty Officer). They joined various Naval commands (ships), and spent varying periods aboard, learning the ropes. I have drilled them on various operations (gun/missile firing exercises, fire drills, flooding drills, ordnance loading/unloading. etc). I have found them to be well trained and militarily "Gungho". Just to give you an idea how "old tars' viewed them ... "They were as cute as a bunch of waggly tailed little puppies" (the view of a bunch of old farts {Chiefs}), and "willing to get their hands dirty in search of new training".

As far as Young Marines", it is my opinion that even though they will introduce you somewhat to the military, it won't do a thing as far as preparing for the real thing. Boot training for a Marine, isn't something you can really prepare yourself for (with the exception of the physical training), which is intense. Most of Marine Boot, is mental conditioning ... the breaking down of civilian attitudes and the indoctrination of a "Marine/Jarhead/Leatherneck" and everything they stand for.

Being a Marine is more a state of mind (even though they stress physical fitness throughout your term of service).

thanks alot for the information, i am currently in the Civil Air Patrol since the Sea Cadets and Young Marine units were 23 miles from my house and the Civil Air Patrol is only two haha. Thanks for all that information too. i have also decided on either AF or Navy when i enlist.

Originally Posted by Skater2k4

thanks alot for the information, i am currently in the Civil Air Patrol since the Sea Cadets and Young Marine units were 23 miles from my house and the Civil Air Patrol is only two haha. Thanks for all that information too. i have also decided on either AF or Navy when i enlist.

To help you with that decision, here's just a little observation of mine:

• If you want to see a lot of the world, going Navy in a shipboard job is the way to go. Med tours etc, are a good way to see the world.
• If you would prefer not to travel as much, going Air Force doing an 'aircraft maintenance' type job, will cut down on travel. You could still see parts of the world as a crew member on some of the transports or multi-crewed aircraft, etc though.

Also, Air Force members don't seem to have as many transfers and seem to spend longer times at their assignments while Navy personnel receive transfers every 3 years or so. I know of a couple of Air Force types, that served at the same air base for almost their entire 20 years of service {one was 20 years and the other was 18 years at one base and 2 years at a second assignment}.

Depending on job selection, your skills are marketable when you decide to go back to being a civilian ... the longer you are in .. the larger the job selection can be.

Sooo .. don't just enter the service to put in your time .. make the decision right now, to select a job where the training and experience can mean getting a good job in the civilian sector - you'll never regret it.

yeah im probably going Navy, i just need to decide what MOS i want. i kind of wanted combat but idk. I also don't mind not seeing the world haha. I've had my fare share of travels and moves since i am from South Africa and then moved to Saudi Arabia.

Originally Posted by Skater2k4

yeah im probably going Navy, i just need to decide what MOS i want. i kind of wanted combat but idk. I also don't mind not seeing the world haha. I've had my fare share of travels and moves since i am from South Africa and then moved to Saudi Arabia.

If you decide to go Navy and are mechanically inclined, then choosing an MOS of Gas Turbine Tech (GSM or GSE), would be a good choice. There is a large market in the civilian sector, where you could get a good paying job working on gas turbines. Another choice, would be to get into one of the Computer Repair Technician MOSs ... a job area that has many applications in the civilian sectors paying high salaries.

As I said, look forward to the time you decide to become a civilian again ... and ... do everything you can to acquire a skill set while on active duty that enables you to get a well paying job as a civilian. It's something you won't regret.

yeah, I plan on making a career out of it, but i guess i can't really say that untill i have tasted real military life.

(www.seacadets.org)
What is Sea Cadets
The Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) is for American youth ages 13-17 who have a desire to learn about the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Sea Cadets are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to wear Navy uniforms appropriately marked with the Sea Cadet Corps insignia. The objectives of the Sea Cadet program are to introduce youth to naval life, to develop in them a sense of pride, patriotism, courage, and self-reliance, and to maintain an environment free of drugs and gangs.
Sea Cadet Units
Cadets meet or "drill" at their local unit weekly or monthly through out the year. A unit is structured along military lines and is headed by a Commanding Officer. Units may drill on military bases, at reserve centers, local schools, or community centers.
Sea Cadet units are organized as either divisions, squadrons, or battalions. Divisions closely reflect the surface Navy, while squadrons are geared toward the field of naval aviation, and battalions meanwhile reflect Navy construction battalions (SeaBees).
Whether a division, squadron, or battalion, the local unit has one main purpose, and that is to foster team work, camaraderie and an understanding of the military command structure.
Cadets are instructed by both Sea Cadet Officers and senior cadets through classroom and applied instruction in subjects such as basic seamanship, military drill, and leadership. And most Sea Cadet regions throughout the country hold weekend competitions where units compete with each other to test their seamanship and military skills.
Local units will often participate in community events such as parades and fairs. They may also tour Navy and Coast Guard ships and shore stations. And participate in community service such as working in Veterans' Hospitals and organizing clothing and food drives.
Training & Advancement
Sea Cadet training consists of Navy Non-Resident Training Courses (NRTC), training evolutions (away from local units), shipboard training, and training arranged locally by units.
All new cadets enter the program at the rate of Seaman Recruit. In order for cadets to move up through the ranks they must complete the following: the NRTC Correspondence Course for that rate, one training evolution, and depending on the rate, the Navy's Military Leadership exam for that rate. NRTC's cover basic military and naval subjects such as naval history, seamanship, leadership, and ship/aircraft familiarization. The cadet rate structure parallels that of the Navy and Coast Guard's enlisted rate structure, with Chief Petty Officer being the highest rate a cadet can achieve.
Training takes place mostly during summer months and occasionally during winter and spring break periods and are generally one to two week evolutions. The first training evolution for all cadets is NSCC Recruit Training, better known as boot camp. It is a scaled down version of the Navy's boot camp. For approximately two-weeks cadets are instructed by active and reserve military personnel and Sea Cadet officers in military drill and discipline, physical fitness, seamanship, shipboard safety, first aid, naval history, and leadership.

After cadets have successfully completed boot camp, they can then participate in advanced training. Sea Cadet advanced training currently consists of the following:

• TRAINING SCHOOLS
  • AIRMAN TRAINING (BASIC & ADVANCED)
  • AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TRAINING
  • FAA GROUND SCHOOL
  • CULINARY ARTS TRAINING
  • MEDICAL TRAINING (GENERAL, FIELD, SURGICAL & DENTAL TECH)
  • FIREFIGHTING TRAINING
  • PHOTO JOURNALISM TRAINING
  • CEREMONIAL GUARD
  • SUBMARINE SEMINAR
  • MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING
  • CONSTRUCTION BATTALION (SEABEE) TRAINING (BASIC & ADVANCED)
  • MINE WAREFARE OPERATIONS TRAINING
  • MUSIC SCHOOL
  • SEAL TEAM TRAINING
  • EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINING
  • AMPHIBIOUS TRAINING
  • PETTY OFFICER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
  • MASTER-AT-ARMS TRAINING (MILITARY POLICE/LAW)
  • JUDGE ADVOCATED GENERAL (JAG) TRAINING
  • SAILING SCHOOL
  • SCUBA SCHOOL
  • SEAMANSHIP TRAINING
  • SHIPBOARD TRAINING
• LIVE ABOARD NAVY & COAST GUARD SHIPS & SHORE STATIONS FOR TWO-WEEKS.

Sea Cadet training is held throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam on military installations.

In addition to the above, those cadets who exhibit extraordinary initiative and leadership ability may participate in annual exchanges with Sea Cadet Corps' around the world.

• FOREIGN EXCHANGE PARTNERS
  • AUSTRALIA
  • BELGIUM
  • BERMUDA
  • CANADA
  • HONG KONG
  • JAPAN
  • NETHERLANDS
  • RUSSIA
  • SOUTH KOREA
  • UNITED KINGDOM

Cadets get to meet their foreign counterparts, experience new cultures, and get to see how the navies of the world operate.
Benefits
Depending on the rate achieved in the Naval Sea Cadets, former cadets may be eligible to enlist in the armed forces at an advanced pay grade. Being a member honorably discharged from the Corps is looked upon favorably by selection boards for military academies and ROTC programs. Also those cadets who are accepted to a four-year university may be eligible for scholarships.
The Naval Sea Cadet Corps provides its cadets the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, build their character and become productive citizens.
Membership Requirements

In order to join the Naval Sea Cadet Corps applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be between the ages of 13 and 17.
• Must be a US Citizen
• Be in good health and pass a qualifying physical examination.
• Be a full time student and maintain satisfactory grades (2.00 "C" grade point average).
• Be free of felony convictions