 |
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS |
| Answers
to Frequently Asked Questions, Some relevant, others not so relevant. While not official policy of the NSCC, each answer is given based on know reference |
Table of Contents
Awards
Administration
Ceremony
Computers
Supply
Training
Uniforms
Awards
Q - Is the 25th Anniversary Ribbon awarded to anyone who is enrolled
in a unit on or after 10 September 1987? If so, does it mean that anyone
who joins the unit can immediately be awarded this ribbon?
A - No. The 25th Anniversary Ribbon is only awarded to those individuals that were enrolled in the program on 10 September 1987. The 25th Unit Commissioned Ribbon is awarded to any individual who has one year of continuous enrollment in a unit that has over 25 years of continuous certified operation. Certification is done by NHQ, award is by the unit Commanding Officer.
Q - Can I earn the Color Guard Ribbon more than once?
A - Yes. The Color Guard Ribbon maybe awarded multiple times. All ribbons listed before Paragraph 16 of Chapter 4, Section Four of the NSCC/NLCC Awards Manual can be awarded multiple times, all ribbons list after are single awards only. Although it is allowed, Cadets that perform more than 10 Color Guards, just gain experience and prevent others from achieving the award.
Q - Is there a Master-At-Arms Appurtenance?
A - Yes. There were a variety of badges that were distributed by the different COTCs over the last few years. An MAA appurtenance is also awarded for the successful completion of NSCC MAA Training. Wearing and awarding of the MAA Appurtenance is outlined in Chapter 4, Section X, the NSCC MAA Badge is outlined in Chapter 5, Section II of the NSCC/NLCC Awards Manual.
Q - I know of the MAA badge, and the Gold and Silver Wings, but are there any other devices that cadets can wear? I've been hearing about a miniature SEAL Trident that cadet who complete SEAL training get, but I don't know for sure, so if there are any other what are they, and what is the criteria for getting them?
A - The NSCC "SEAL Trident" that is issued to Cadets that attend SEAL Training at Little Creek, VA prior to 2002 is not an authorized NSCC Device and is not authorized for wear on the NSCC Uniform. A new SEAL Trident Breast Insignia is authorized for wear for Cadets who participated in SEAL Training at Little Creek, Virginia or Okeechobee, Florida starting in 2003. Information Letter 11-02 outlines the criteria, as well as the retroactive awarding of the Device for years 2000, 2001, and 2002. Cadets who attending SEAL Training prior to 1999 are only authorized to wear the Trident Appurtenance.
With the release of the 2004 Awards Manual, there are now two other devices, The Special Warfare Combat Crewman Badge (SWCC) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Device (EOD). Guidelines for both can be found in the NSCC Awards Manual, Chapter 5.
Q - Are U.S. Commemorative Medals and ribbons, such as the Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal, authorized for wear on the USNSCC uniform?
A - No. Only authorized NSCC/NLCC ribbons and medals authorized in NSCC Awards Manual, Chapter FOUR for NSCC Cadets, Officers, Instructors, and Midshipmen and Chapter SEVEN for NLCC Cadets. The wear of authorized DOD, USCG, and Merchant Marine ribbons and medals by NSCC Officers, Instructors, and Midshipmen is covered in Chapter SIX. Commemorative medals, such as the Cold War Medal have not been authorized for wear by U.S. Military personnel. Click here for a press release form the Department of Defense on the Cold War Medal.
Q - On which ribbon do you were the recruiting "R" on? There seems to be some confusion in my unit. some say it goes on the recruiting ribbon some say on year ribbon?
A - The NSCC/NLCC Awards Manual, Chapter 4, Section X Paragraph 3 States the following: "Appurtenances will be worn on the year ribbon for the year in which the award was earned except as noted in description of appurtenance awards."
The description of the "R" Appurtenance is listed at Paragraph 5m. It states " "R" : Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of ten (10) or more days of advanced training in a Navy or Coast Guard recruiting office or station. See Note (1)."
For reference Note (1) reads: "Minimum of five (5) consecutive days of the ten (10) total days required."
Q - If an officer/midshipman/instructor chooses to wear the highest year ribbon awarded only, and they have earned the leadership torch in previous years, does the appurtenance move to the new ribbon?
A - This item is not specifically addressed in the Awards Manual Chapter 4, Section X. The wearing of the torch appurtenance by an adult volunteers signifies the completion of ALL Officer Professional Development (OPD) courses, which in some cases, was over a period of years. Moving this to the currently worn year ribbon signifies that the Officer has completed the OPD requirements. Cadets wear all year ribbon awards, so this is not a factor when wearing the torch appurtenance signifying completion of POLA.
Q - I am the MAA in my unit, I have been told I have to wear a collar device, and other say I cannot.
A - At Recruit Training the MAA wears a NAVY PO2 Collar Insignia, this is for Recruit Training Only. Master-At-Arms may wear the NSCC MAA Badge if they have attended NSCC MAA School. Otherwise a suitable alternative such as an Arm Band or other item should be worn. See NSCC Awards Manual Chapter Five, Section II, Item "e".
The regulation states: "e. Cadets who are not graduates of a NSCC nationally approved MAA course may not wear the MAA badge. In this regard, units shall identify their cadets assigned master at arms duties with some other identifying marking such as arm bands, etc."
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Q - Our unit has secured computers, how do we get the forms so
we can fill them out if we do not have Internet access?
A - Go to the Forms Menu under Administration. Right click your mouse over the link of the form you want, use the "Save As" or "Save Target As" command on the displayed menu and save the file to a floppy or your hard disk. Acrobat Reader™ will not allow you to save completed forms. You must have full version Adobe Acrobat™ or Acrobat Approval™, both are available at www.adobe.com. As new forms are released they will also be available in Microsoft Word™ format.
Q - Is it possible to have the forms on the site in MS Word™ format?
A - Yes. All forms are currently available in MS Word™ Format.
Q - Why aren't all of the forms "fill in the blank"?
A - Currently the NSCC is going through a forms re-design process. Making the existing forms fill in the blank is a time consuming process and cannot be justified at this time due to the ongoing release of the new forms. All of the new forms will be "Fill In The Blank"
Q - Would it be possible to publish all of the manuals in PDF format?
A - Yes it is possible, No it is not currently available. As manuals are rewritten and updated by NHQ they are posted and converted into PDF format as well as being cross indexed in HTML. The next Manuals to be updated by NHQ are the NSCC Regulations, Escort Officer's Guide, and Advancement and Training Manual.
Q - Where do I find the NSCC Support Instruction (OPNAV/CNAVRES) referenced in the Annual Inspection Guide, Part III?
A - They are located at: Regulations > Department of Defense Directives > United States Navy
Q - Can you please send me a list of addresses and deadlines for all scholarships that are available to Sea Cadets.
A - NSCC Regulations, Chapter 16 has a list of all NSCC Scholarships. An Action Letter is distributed every year, in the Spring, has additional information on NSCC Scholarships.
Q - Why are there two address fields on the Cadet Enrollment Form (NSCADM 007)?
A - The two fields on the NSCADM 007 are to differentiate the Cadets Mailing Address from there Physical Address if they are different. This will be clarified more in the next release of this document.
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Ceremony
Q - Is there any information that I can get on commissioning ceremonies?
A - NSCC Regulations, Chapter 17 has guidance on Ceremonies. Also, OPNAVINST 1710.7 has an outline of how an official Navy commissioning ceremony is performed.
Q - My unit is purchasing new flags for our color guard, what should we put on the top of the poles?
A - Traditionally you see Eagles atop the staffs of color guard flags. Unfortunately this is incorrect. The eagles are reserved for presidential colors only. A safe bet is use Halberds on color guard flags and the Army Spear on your unit Guideon. Here is a web page that explains all of the different flagstaff ornaments or finials as they are called.
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Computers
Q - Before I can open each page with Acrobat™, it opens Realplayer™
first then goes to Acrobat™.
A - Sounds like an installation problem with your personal computer. Uninstall Acrobat Reader™, download the current version from Adobe and reinstall it, This should solve your problem.
Q - I tried to download an Acrobat PDF File and all I got was a blank page.
A - The site has been optimized for use with Adobe Acrobat Reader™ Version 5.05. See above for correcting the installation.
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Supply
Q - Where can I get Enlisted and Officer Service Jackets?
A - Speak to the Personnel Support Detachment in your local Naval Reserve Center or Naval Installation. The NAVPERS 1070/600 jacket is not a "required" item for service records (NSCC Regulations, Chapter 1, Section F, Paragraph 1a). Some units use heavy duty manila folders. You can purchase these at your local office supply store and have the covers of the USN Jackets copied onto your folders. You may want to contact your Regional Director of Headquarters Representative they may have a sources for these items.
Enlisted Service Jackets can also be ordered online from ServMart. The cost is $24.50 plus $4.95 S&H. Order must be with Credit Card and ordered under Unit Name, NSCC.
Officer Service Jackets are no longer used by the Navy so, are no longer commercially available.
Training
Q - I have noticed that a lot of the training resources are no longer
listed on the Resources Page.
A - This is correct. In March 2004, the NSCC internet Development Group introduced COMPASS. This Web site is the one stop location for all things relating to training in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Manuals, Courses, Lesson Plans, etc.
Q - The Boot Camp that our division usually goes to occurs once a year, in August, this is almost a year away, this is too long for me to wait. Is there a boot camp between December and August?
A - Recruit Trainings are not run by specific units or divisions. The are arranged to support geographic areas. Unfortunately, Recruit Training is held in the Summer (June-August), There may be a Recruit Training site earlier in the year, but it may be all the way across the country. You are encouraged to attend the Recruit Training site in your area, because a billet has been specifically set aside for you. If you travel to another recruit training site, you will be taking a billet intended for a Cadet in that area who may either have to travel somewhere else (compounding the problem) or not being able to attend at all. Sometimes, based on holiday schedules, Recruit Trainings are held between Christmas and New Year's Day. Recruit Training is a very important step in a Cadet's career development and a full 14 days cycle is the most beneficial. Keep and eye out for the Summer or Winter Training Schedule to find out when the Recruit Training will be scheduled.
Q - Where can I get a CD with the BMR on it?
A - Currently CNET does not offer the BMR on CD. You can download each of the files in the text and question book as well as any other course you may be interested in on the Correspondence Course Page on COMPASS. They have made a wide selection available in Adobe Acrobat™ format.
Q - As an LPO, I need training aids for drill. I often come to the Resources Site to get them. Can you provide links to the training manuals for Cadets?
A - Here are links to the Advancement and Training Manual and the Lessons Plans. COMPASS the NSCC Training Portal has a variety of resources available to unit Training Officers. Bookmark them in your browser for easy access.
Q - I am a Sea Cadet. I was wondering if there is a link or site I can go into to find out basic physical requirements for the yearly Recruit Training.
A - There are a variety of resources on the site which outline the requirements. The best one though is the Cadet Exercise Chart (NSCADM 020), It outlines all standards for all age groups. There is also a listing of valuable physical fitness information located on the Physical Fitness Page.
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Q -
I am an Officer in the
NSCC and just purchased coveralls, I am aware that the name stripes are
supposed to be gold lettering, and I am supposed to wear a khaki belt.
Which flashes should I wear?
A - The newest version of the NSCC Uniform Manual does not specifically state which shoulder flash to wear, in fact is reference both the Officer AND Cadet Flash. While the NSCC Officer Dress Blue Flash will work, the NSCC Cadet Flash matches the uniform better (both Blue and Gold), While the Khaki Officer Flash matches the Belt, it looks silly on the Blue Coveralls. Use your best judgment.
Q - I am the MAA of my unit, am I authorized to wear BDUs for this position?
A - No. Cadets are only authorized to wear the BDU uniform while attached to NSCC Battalions or working in an approved field activity or advanced training where the uniform is required. Refer to NSCC Uniform Regulations, Chapter 3, Section Five, Paragraph 3501.2, Item "c".
"c. Wearing of the special uniform is not authorized solely because of a billet a cadet is filling, training or working in."