Arkansas Division is a unit of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps located in California. Based out of Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco, Arkansas Division has many opportunities to serve and gain educational experience throughout the bay area. Arkansas Division works particularly closely with the local Northern California Coast Guard units. The sea cadet program also offers opportunities for adults to become officers and instructors. Officers and instructors lead and guide the cadets at drills and provide training opportunities.
Our History
Arkansas Division is named after the USS ARKANSAS, which was the fourth and last ship in the VIRGINIA class nuclear-powered cruisers (and the fourth Navy ship named after the state of Arkansas). Commissioned in 1980, the USS Arkansas was initially homeported in Norfolk but later transferred to Alameda, where she remained until the base closed. She was decommissioned in 1998. The unit was named in her honor and drilled initially at the Marine Reserve Center in San Bruno. Later Arkansas Division merged with the nationally recognized Carl Vinson Division, which drilled at Naval Station Treasure Island but struggled after the base shut down. Although the two divisions merged, the drill location changed to USCG Sector San Francisco.
Purpose
Goals of the Cadet Program At the request of the Department of the Navy, the Navy League of the United States established the USNSCC in 1962 to "create a favorable image of the Navy on the part of American youth". Today's U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps continues to further the image of our maritime services by adhering to a standardized training program designed to: 1. Develop an interest and ability in seamanship and seagoing skills 2. Instill virtues of good citizenship and strong moral principles in each cadet 3. Demonstrate the value of an alcohol-free, drug-free and gang-free lifestyle 4. Expose cadets to the prestige of public service and a variety of career paths through hands-on training with our nation's armed services
As they rise in the program, cadets gain positions of leadership and responsibility. Completing coursework and attending trainings allows them to earn these positions in a system directly modeled on that of the U.S. Navy. They begin as Seaman Recruits and with hard work can rise to the level of Chief Petty Officer. Cadets learn the values of commitment, honor, patriotism, and pride in their accomplishments. They learn how to make decisions, how to effectively manage their time, and become responsible for events and property not usually available to young people. Most importantly, they make fast friends that can last a lifetime.
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