About Shadow Day
Think of Shadow Day as a "try-out" for our unit. Shadow Day is a where new Cadets can attend a unit drill and experience what it is like to be in our youth program. Shadow Day is free to attend. All new Cadets must attend Shadow Day before they can enroll.
Families are welcome but not required to attend Shadow Day.
What Happens at Shadow Day
In order to get on to base you will need to coordinate with unit if new cadet and/or parents do not have military base access.
Shadow day starts in the hall of flags during morning muster. Here you will meet our Unit Commanding Officer and/or other officers and adult volunteers where you will be able to ask any questions. Each Shadow Day Participant will be introduced to the Charlie Company Commander, a more Senior Cadet in our youth program, who will help guide, mentor, and motivate them throughout the day.
There is no separation of Shadow Day Participants and the rest of the Cadets in our unit. Everyone does everything together and the full-rigor of what it is like to experience a typical drill day in our unit is experienced!
A Typical Drill Day
Preparing for Shadow Day:
We find that the more new Cadets can prepare both physically and mentally for our environment, the more they will not only LOVE our youth program but also fit in with the rest of our Cadets! We have attached a few PDF documents below to download/print out and review as basic information about our youth program.
Sea Cadets • Physical Fitness Standards
Think of Shadow Day as a "try-out" for our unit. Shadow Day is a where new Cadets can attend a unit drill and experience what it is like to be in our youth program. Shadow Day is free to attend. All new Cadets must attend Shadow Day before they can enroll.
Families are welcome but not required to attend Shadow Day.
What Happens at Shadow Day
In order to get on to base you will need to coordinate with unit if new cadet and/or parents do not have military base access.
Shadow day starts in the hall of flags during morning muster. Here you will meet our Unit Commanding Officer and/or other officers and adult volunteers where you will be able to ask any questions. Each Shadow Day Participant will be introduced to the Charlie Company Commander, a more Senior Cadet in our youth program, who will help guide, mentor, and motivate them throughout the day.
There is no separation of Shadow Day Participants and the rest of the Cadets in our unit. Everyone does everything together and the full-rigor of what it is like to experience a typical drill day in our unit is experienced!
A Typical Drill Day
- 0730 - 0800: Report Aboard
- Everyone starts arriving to our drill facility. Please do not arrive earlier than 0720 am, unless you receive permission from our Unit Commanding Officer.
- 0800 - 0815: Quarters, for Muster, Inspection, & Instruction
- Cadets stand in a military formation for attendance and receive announcements.
- 0815 - 0830: Move to Building E Classroom
- Change into PT Gear
- 0830 - 1000: Official Physical Readiness
- Physical activity for an hour and a half.
- Lots of time outside! We sometimes play a game of soccer or flag football!
- Semiannual Physical Readiness Test (PRT)
- 10:00 - 10:15 Return to Building E Classroom
- Change into NWUs
- 1015 - 1115: Close-Order Drill
- A military training method that focuses on synchronized movements and formations to instill discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail.
- Large Formation Marching Practice/Color Guard
- 1115 - 1230: Company time & Chow
- A healthy lunch is a must! A refrigerator and microwave are available.
- 1230 - 1315: Military Training Immersion Evolution
- We spend ample time to remind Cadets of the environment they are in, the standards they are expected to uphold, and what the military lifestyle is like.
- Frequent Guest speakers showcasing military and Federal Career paths.
- 1315 - 1330: Sweepers and Field Day
- We all take part in cleaning our drill facility after using it for the day.
- 1330 - 1400: Quarters, for Muster, Inspection, & Instruction
- Cadets stand in a military formation for attendance and to receive any earned awards and promotions.
- 1400: DISMISSAL - Go Ashore
- Everyone departs our drill facility.
Preparing for Shadow Day:
We find that the more new Cadets can prepare both physically and mentally for our environment, the more they will not only LOVE our youth program but also fit in with the rest of our Cadets! We have attached a few PDF documents below to download/print out and review as basic information about our youth program.
Sea Cadets • Physical Fitness Standards
| sea_cadets_•_physical_fitness_standards.pdf |
11 General Orders of a Sentry
| 472650080-11-general-orders.pdf |
Sea Cadets • Cadet Code of Conduct
| cadet-code-of-conduct.pdf |
Sea Cadets • Core Values
| corevalues.usnscc.pdf |
What to Wear to Shadow Day:
What to Bring to Shadow Day:
- Solid blue t-shirt/sweatshirt (weather appropriate)
- Solid blue shorts/sweatpants (weather appropriate)
- White socks
- Athletic running shoes
What to Bring to Shadow Day:
- A change of clothes (weather appropriate), this will be worn after working out as Cadets may be VERY sweaty
- A water bottle (we have water fountains and hydration breaks)
- A healthy lunch (a refrigerator and microwave are available)
