Sea Cadets- ok?

[tumbleweed1234]

My DD loves boats and she wants to join the local Sea Cadets. I went along with her to try it out and when I came back at the end all I could hear was lots of shouting, and all the cadets were standing in regiments, and every so often one of them would go to the heads (toilets) because they were feeling faint- and all the CO would do was tell them to wiggle their toes! Is it just me or does this seem a little cruel? It was a hot day and they were all in thick jackets. DD wasn't too sure when she came away but was reassured by the PO that every night wasn't like this. Also, will she be able to wear her earrings as we have only just got them pierced?
Any feedback great thanks :)

Are there any sea scouts near you. Might be an alternative if you are worried about cadets.

I spent 6 years in the sea cadets back years ago and absolutely loved it. Yes it was quite intense during drill but we needed to have it tight for our competitions and being shouted at never did me any harm especially when I finally became PO and got my turn to shout at bring a squad together.

It's not really shouting when done correctly, it should be barked commands.

We spent a lot of time training as well as pissing about learning life skills.

I'm quite bossy direct and strong willed though, a thick skin is needed as well as a good eye for detail, boots polished and uniform immaculate.

I remember being given salt water to drink before sailing competitions to stop us being sea sick that was 20 years ago though

Best memory was winning a scholarship for drill and going to stay on a naval/marine base in America for 3 weeks.

There's no sea scouts near us. She didnt mind the shouting but was a bit scared about the fainting.

Faints generally happen when you haven't eaten properly, or are dehydrated (or hungover!). Wriggling toes, fingers and counting things in sight does help a bit. It's one of those things though, some people will faint, some won't. It's not really a reason to not do something - you cannot predict if it will ever happen to you.

Thanks
It was on one of the hottest days of the year- why didnt they make them take off their coats??? Stupid.

I'd agree with previous post about Sea Scouts. My ds has been through beavers, cubs and scouts. He loves it. Yes there are boring parts to it such as parades (although very important) but most of the time it's great. He has learnt respect, confidence, made new friends. Last year he went to Holland on a weeks camp and he is currently near Portsmouth on a week camp.
Each session starts and ends with scouts in full uniform for inspection, awards and prayer but then they get changed into appropriate rough kit (old clothes) to do all other activities.
I think any kind of cadets is more regimented as they do have full drills to learn and practice and obviously it's more army based.
All depends on what your dd wants from it.

Thanks for all your help, she wants to do it, so I'm going to let her :)

We knew who the fainters were so we would put them in the middle or up the back of the squad so someone had a chance to catch them, front fallers were a pain

Let her give it a go and see if it's her thing, how much are subs these days?

I was with air cadets, and yes the drill can be quite intense - but really very satisfying especially when doing competitions!

And yes there are lots and lots of rules, standing in full uniform in the pouring rain - which seems very contrary when the education focus is more on individualism and independent thought, you have to do what you are told and offer opinion only when asked.

If it sounds draconian, in practice it absolutely isn't - the opportunities I had were fantastic and certainly wouldn't have been on offer to a group of kids clowning about such as firing semi automatic weapons on a range for target practice.

Hope your daughter enjoys it!

DS has done some amazing things with Cadets, canoeing, powerboating, visiting naval base, camps, DofE etc etc - the drill is only a small part of it IME - it might be that there is a big parade coming up that they need to rehearse for.

Cost here is a bargainous £10 per month.

Cadets is great. It's cheap, regular, does not shut in summer. My DC has got sailing levels that would have cost 100's privately for less than 50 pounds.

Yes it's boisterous, and there is banter, but the sit still in school all day.

It also teaches respect for those who fight for our country, and those who have laid down their lives.

It done nothing but good for my DC, they are also vv strict on bullying.

I was in the sea cadets years ago along with my cousin (in a different unit) and we loved it. We learned so much, went out to sea, had a week of proper training at Rosyth, adventure weeks including sailing, canoeing, camping, etc. It was obviously a while ago but it was a good thing to be part of.

It was noisy at the end of the session and sometimes the drills got a bit boring when you were practicing for competitions but you met so many new people, it was definitely fun.

I did air cadets as a youngster and it was great. If she has any ambitions to work in that field then it will be a great help to her.

DS1 has been in Sea Cadets since he turned 11 and really enjoys it.

They are going on a week long residential in October to Norfolk Broads and he can't wait neither can I, a week without his preteen mood swings

Along the same lines, I was in the Air Cadets throughout my teenage years. Like the sea cadets there were loads of fantastic opportunities such a cheap foreign travel, stays on air bases, flying opportunities and camping, canoeing etc. Yes, there was discipline, but not in a bad way and as you progress you get more responsibility.

Would totally recommend any cadet organisation for young people

I spent many a happy year at sea cadets. I learned drill, sailing, canoeing, rowing, hillwalking, shooting, more drill. Rifle drill (without bayonets thanks to being a girl it wasn't allowed) rope work, fire safety, how to travel independently. How to take care of my kit... I did the west highland way twice... Trust me... Let go. She will love it.. Drill is a brilliant skill. Standing still might seem feint inducing... But it teaches your body to overcome long periods on your feet, how to sway gently to avoid feinting.

I loved my time!! Wish i could do it again!!

I still use all my rope work skills, can still 20 years later splice a rope. And still have warm memories of the friends I made there. Of the chief petty officer at hms Raleigh who screamed at 15 year old me (for walking across the grass) to get off his fecking water!!

Of parade sergeant jabbing the toes of my parade shoes and breaking the bull on my shoes meaning I had to start again!!

Of boiling my lanyard and cheating by bleaching it to keep it white!!! They went yellow quickly!!!!

I still speak to 4 of them.

I know your daughter will love it!

I loved my time in air cadets. Would not hesitate to recommend it.

I joined sea cadets and it was shit! I was part of it for a year and didn't get to go on a boat once, not a lot happened. But I appreciate other regiments might be better.

Some of the best times of my life were at Sea Cadets.
Great experiences that I couldn't gave got elsewhere, rising through the ranks which helped my shyness and self esteem enormously, lifelong friends, great discipline, life skills and respect.

I have one army cadet and one air cadet. Different but both absolutely love it. Yes, there is drill but before you know it they start to love that as well. The discipline is strict but fair. The opportunities are amazing. DS has just come back from a 10 day camp which cost us just £60 all in. Air cadets will get cadets flying as much as possible.

Uniform was provided free though we have added to DS' kit over the years.