MISSION

To provide specialized education, training and the opportunity to travel abroad for qualified US Naval Sea Cadets who have an interest in learning about the cultural differences and nautical traditions that strengthen us as a global community.

BACKGROUND

The Sea Cadet program is not unique to the United States. Many maritime countries have similar programs for their youth and there is a growing interest in participation in an International Sea Cadet Exchange Program. The United States, Canada, and Bermuda have been conducting a Sea Cadet exchange for nearly 25 years. Recently, Japan, Belgium, Korea, Hong Kong, Sweden, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia have begun hosting exchanges. New Zealand, Russia, India, South Africa, and Zimbabwe will be hosting programs in the near future. The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps conducts an exchange in the United States for visiting cadets from many nations.

A group of business leaders assembled in 1999 to discuss the possibility of commencing an International Exchange Program for the USNSCC. This program would raise funds and create a cohesive organization within the USNSCC that would monitor exchanges, prepare cadets for training abroad, and implement a scholarship program that would allow selected cadets to participate in exchanges at a reduced expense.

The IEP is now fully operational due to federal funding. The IEP wishes to remain a self-sufficient operation by raising its own operating funds. The vision is to develop an endowment sufficient to operate the NSCC IEP as a "no cost" opportunity for the US Naval Sea Cadets participating in International Exchanges. For example, the exchange program to Japan cost each (or his/her parents) about $2000 for the airfare only. The host country may or may not pick up the "land cost" once they are in country. This makes it impossible for cadets from low-income or urban areas to participate and enjoy the incredible experiences overseas.

Presently, cadets participate in exchange programs with little or no expense. The support received from the Department of Defense enables US cadets to participate, through IEP scholarships ranging from a nominal amount to full scholarships, depending on need, and also covers the administrative/operating expenses that such an operation requires.

Since cadets need to be prepared for their adventure abroad, correspondence courses will be created, depending on the destination country, to better acclimate the cadet to life in the foreign country. Customs, traditions, courtesies, and history will be some of the topics covered. Cadets need to be prepared to deal with the spectrum of new experiences that they will encounter and react in a positive way.

At present, the IEP dream has been realized. But this funding may not last forever. Volunteers are needed to write grants, organize Navy League Councils, and get the project moving forward. An International Officer Certification Course (IOSC) is in the works and volunteers are needed to help with this project.

If you are interested in learning more about the IEP or would like to help, please contact the program .

Remember, the experience of traveling abroad should be determined by merit, not the ability to pay.