Where to Obtain Uniform Items

Purpose: This is to inform the parents in regards to certain uniform items as well order/buy replacement items for their cadet in the event that you lose them after the drill weekend. Below are a few ways to get something replaced if your cadet loses it.

1. Uniform Items

- In the event that you lose a uniform item, the cadet must speak with the supply officer in order to receive a replacement item that must be returned at the end of each drill day (if issued at 0800, the item must be returned at 1600.)
- In the event that the supply officer does not have the uniform item you are looking for, you may go to the uniform store that is located in the hospital in order to purchase a missing item. Any item that is replaced by supply will be deducted from the original $200 deposit!

2. Ranks/Insignias

- Charette Battalion provides Insignia/Rank for those at E-2 to E-7, which includes the ones needed for the NWU collars, as well as the one for the Dress Blue Sleeves.
- If your cadet needs more insignias (for training related purposes), they could either talk to the supply officer or order them from Vanguard (https://www.vanguardmil.com/pages/sea-cadets-collection).

3. ID's

- If you cadet loses their ID, they must pay for a new one. The price for a new ID is $10. 

4. Nametapes
- There are two name tapes that a cadet must get once they have received NWU's. The silver USNSCC tape will be provided and will be placed accordingly (look at image below). The flashes will also be provided as well.

For the cadets last name, go to http://www.1800nametape.com/usnscc.htm#NWU and the type in the cadets last name in ALL CAPS. Once that is completed, select "Silver Thread" and then add to cart. If anymore are needed later on, they can be ordered on this website. Plus it is a cheaper to buy them here than at the uniform store. An example of how you should order them is down in the image below. 

Note: Do not order the name tapes with Velcro. Order Name tapes that are sew on!

Example Seabag List

Purpose: The images below are there to give both the parent and the cadet an idea as to what should be packed for training. This seabag list isn't like any ordinary packing list and is NOT universal for all trainings. Dependent on which training your child attends is dependent on how much of what your cadet needs. For example, a cadet who goes to Recruit Training may need different things compared to someone going to Culinary Arts training. Ensuring that your cadet has everything is extremely important because your child may not be processed at trainings if they are missing items from their seabag.

Ensuring that your cadet has the correct things is also a common issue seen at training check in. For Example, Males may not bring Aerosol type Shaving Cream (White foam) but they are allowed to bring Gel Type Shaving Cream (Ex. Edge, Gillette Gel, etc.). The same applies for bug spray as they are not allowed to bring aerosol cans but are allowed the travel spray bottles. Some examples will be provided below.

Note: CUU's are Combat Utility Uniforms and are often completely optional granted that you have enough COMPLETE NWU sets. If you have enough, then ignore that section, if not, please speak with the supply officer at Charette Battalion to see what we can do to help you with that issue.

Example Sea Bag list 

Joining Process

Purpose: The purpose of this post is to inform the parent and prospective cadet on what they should bring in the instance they want to join the sea cadets here at NNMC Walter Reed-Bethesda.

Steps to joining
1) Contact the us via E-mail (contactus@charetteseacadets.org) so that we may grant you access onto the base when we hold our monthly "New Cadet Briefing."
2) When you arrive, there will be a cadet escort waiting for you and your cadet and they will escort you to where the brief is being held.
3) When you arrive, please have the following forms either completed or semi-completed prior to arriving, which will help make the joining process easier. It is okay if you do not have these forms and we can provide them to you after the brief.
4) You will be briefed as to the nature of the program, expectations of the sea cadet program and the Charette Battalion and what we are all about.
5) After the brief is completed, you will be asked if your child is ready to join the program. If your child is ready, you will be asked to fill out several forms (do not worry if you have them already completed) and once the forms are complete, you will need to pay the initial $60 enrollment fee in order to complete the joining process.
6) Once you have paid for the enrollment fee, we will take a picture of your cadet in a NWU (Navy Working Uniform) blouse, which will be provided by our Supply officer, and this photo will be used for your cadet's ID.
7) Once the photo is taken, the briefing is completed and we will have a cadet escort you out and we will see you at the next drill date!

Link to forms: http://homeport.seacadets.org/display/Forms/Administrative+Forms

It is form NSCADM 001 - CADET APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT
All forms must be completed in order to expedite the joining process

Note
- REPORT OF MEDICAL HISTORY (Pages 3&4) are to be completed by the parent
- REPORT OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION (Pages 5&6) are to be completed by your child's doctor/physician

Getting to Charette Battalion

Purpose: This is for all new parents and cadets who are in the process of joining the Sea Cadet program and finding the location of the unit. Attached is a map of the base and the directions that you should follow in order to head to the unit. When you arrive at USUHS, head to the security office and we will have an escort cadet arrive to take you and your child to the New Cadet Briefing.

NOTE: There is currently construction going on and the Security office is inaccessible from the main parking garage. In order to get to the security office, park as far in as possible in the garage. When you exit your vehicle, there will be an exit from the farthest end. Once you exit, make a left and you should head towards a small secluded parking lot and through the doors. There will be a guard there and you present an ID and proceed out the doors to the left. From there, go straight ahead and you should see another set of doors and that is where the security office is. From there, a cadet will take you from the security office to where the brief is being held.

The X represents where the main gate is at NNMC Bethesda.
The O represents where you should go in relation to USUHS

Training FAQ's

Purpose: The purpose of this post is for both parents and cadets alike to better understand the concept of letting your cadet go to a training. In the instance that you do, you as the parent will have an understanding of the preparation that must go in to getting your cadet prepared before they are approved for a training.

What kinds of Training are there?
There are various kinds of trainings all with different focuses. There is Medical, Field Operations, Culinary Arts, International Exchange, etc. These trainings are located at all different locations around the US and offer cadets different experiences. Every cadet (Regardless of age or NLCC/NSCC) must Graduate from Recruit Training (or Orientation for NLCC) before they are eligible to go to any advanced training.

Are there any requirements to participate in a training?
Yes; The requirements vary between every training contingent and here at Charette Battalion, we push cadets to be well-prepared for trainings. First, a cadet must complete their BMR (Basic Military Requirement) and the amount that required by our unit CO is 10 before he will sign any form allowing a cadet to go to training. The next step would be to fill out a "Request for Training Authority (CADET)" and must fill it out and return it to the CO within a timely manner. The next step would be gathering all of the required materials that is needed for the training and a seabag list (essentially the same as a packing list) should be provided by the COTC. From there, the cadet will bring their seabag (on a date to be specified by the Unit Staff) for inspection before they are cleared for training. After that, its just a matter of waiting and your cadet will be off to training.

How long will my cadet be at Training for?
The time that your cadet will spend at training is all dependent on the training and the season. For instance, a Recruit training in the winter will be 9 days, while a Recruit training in the summer may be 14 days. Some trainings may last 1-2 weeks and some may be for a few days.

*NOTE: It is IMPORTANT that cadets have everything in their seabags before reporting to training.    A COTC can deny entry to a cadet who has an incomplete seabag. With this being said, PARENTS AND CADETS are ultimately responsible for ensuring that they have everything before a training.

**NOTE: For certain trainings there are certain distinctions between items on the seabag list. For instance, when it specifies a specific lock (Ex. a Key lock or Combination lock), please refer to the seabag list provided by the COTC of the training. Another example (which I have seen) is shaving cream, in which aerosol (or the white foam) is NOT AUTHORIZED. In this case, buy your child Gel Shaving cream (Ex. Edge Shaving cream). Contraband (Ex. Knives, Lighters, Drugs and Alcohol, etc.) must not be packed or will be confiscated by the training contingent and will be given back at the end of training. If a cadet is found with contraband, he/she may get in trouble or may be dismissed from the training (at the Discretion of the XOTC/COTC).

Sea Cadet Oath

Purpose: As Sea Cadets, you are also expected to know the Sailors Creed and the Sea Cadet Oath. The Sea Cadet Oath is similar to the Sailors Creed and the intent of it is to get cadets familiar with this as they are to recite it when they are first presented their ID's or when their enrollment is renewed.