Sea Cadet Advancement
HOW DO I GET PROMOTED?
To advance to the next rank, Sea Cadets must spend a certain time in their current rank, complete listed coursework (book learning), and take certain trainings (in-person learning). To advance in some of the higher ranks, Cadets must additionally pass exams.
Requirements to Advance to Next Rank
NSCC Sea Cadet Advancement Chart
Courses Required to Advance
None
BMR
Seaman
PO3 14504
PO2 14504
PO1 14145
CPO 14144
Required Time in Rank
None
3 Months
6 Months
6 Months
6 Months
6 Months
6 Months
Rank
E1 Recruit
E2 Apprentice
E3 Seaman
E4 PO3
E5 PO2
E6 PO1
E7 CPO
Trainings
Required to Advance
None
RT
Advanced Training
Advanced Training
POLA
Advanced Training
Staff RT
Exam
None
None
None
PO3
PO2
PO1
CPO
RECRUIT RANK
To Promote from E-1 Recruit to E-2:
When New Cadets join, they hold the rank of E-1 Recruit. To promote from E1 Recruit to E2 Airman Apprentice, cadets must go to Recruit Training (RT), and complete the Basic Military Requirements (“BMR”) coursework. Cadets may be advanced to Airman Apprentice (E2) when the following requirements are met:
1) Complete BMR.
2) Pass the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) within the previous six months.
3) Attend Recruit Training (RT) - NOTE: to qualify to attend a Recruit Training, you must pass the PRT and complete any sections of the BMR required by the individual training command. Some recommend completion but do not require it and others require all or some of it to be completed. DO NOT WAIT TO CONFIRM THIS WHEN SIGNING UP FOR RT TRAINING.
4) Serve a minimum of 3 months as an NSCC Cadet (from joining as a Recruit).
*Cadets may be promoted to a temporary grade of E2T if they have completed the BMR and fulfilled time in grade / time in service requirements but have not yet been able to attend RT because of schedule timing. Cadets are promoted to full E2 from E2T once they have completed RT.*
AIRMEN RANKS
To promote in rank from E2 Airman Apprentice to E3 Airman:
Although the coursework is entitled “Seamen,” Cadets in FD Roosevelt are “Airmen” because we are a squadron and on an air base. After completing BMR, Cadets can promote to first become an Airmen Apprentice, then they can promote to full Airmen. Airmen rank earns the Cadet their first level of leadership opportunities as may be time to time conferred by their higher ranking petty officers.
Cadets may be advanced to Airman (E3) when the following requirements are met:
1) Complete the Airman Course. (Study guide will say Seaman)
2) Complete one Advanced Training. (For information on Trainings click here)
3) Pass the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) within the previous six months.
4) *Serve a minimum of 6 months as an Apprentice (E2).
*Please note that time in rate as an E2T counts toward the satisfaction of this requirement.
5) Serve a minimum of 9 months as a Sea Cadet (from joining as a Recruit).
PETTY OFFICER RANKS
When Cadets have completed the Airman rank, they can then work to advance to Petty Officer Third Class (“P03”), the junior-most petty officer rank. From there, Cadets can advance to Second and First Class (P02, P01). With advancement to these ranks comes additional leadership duties and responsibilities.
Airman to PO3 – Petty Officer 3rd Class (PO3)
To promote in rank from E3 to E4:
Cadets may be advanced to Petty Officer Third Class (E4) when the following requirements are met:
1) Complete assignments: 1 and 2 for Petty Officer Third Class. (See above link)
2) Take and pass the Petty Officer 3rd Class Examination (proctored at a regularly scheduled drill).
3) Complete one Advanced Training.
4) Pass the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) within the previous six months.
5) Serve a minimum of 6 months as a Seaman (E3).
6) Serve a minimum of 15 months as a Sea Cadet (from joining as a Recruit).
Advanced Trainings for Petty Officers – FDR Sea Cadets recommend Cadets earning the rank of PO3 attend Petty Officer Leadership Academy (“POLA”) as an Advanced Training at this time because it will qualify as an Advanced Training for promotion from Airman to P03 and it will satisfy a requirement to advance from PO3 to PO2.
Petty Officer 3rd Class (PO3) to Petty Officer 2nd Class
To promote in rank from E4 to E5:
Cadets may be advanced to Petty Officer Second Class (E5) when the following requirements are met:
1) Complete assignments: 3, 4, and 5 for Petty Officer Second Class.
2) Pass the Petty Officer Second Class Examination (proctored at a regularly scheduled drill).
3) Complete Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA) while a Seaman (SN) or PO3. If POLA was used to satisfy the training requirement for advancement to PO3, another NHQ-approved training must be completed.
4) Pass the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) within the previous six months.
5) Serve a minimum of 6 months as a Petty Officer Third Class (PO3).
6) Serve a minimum of 21 months as a Sea Cadet (from joining as a Recruit).
Petty Officer 2nd Class to Petty Officer 1st Class
To promote in rank from E5 to E6:
Cadets may be advanced to Petty Officer First Class (E6) when the following requirements are met:
1) Complete assignments 1-7 for Petty Officer First Class.
2) Pass the Petty Officer First Class Examination (proctored at a regularly scheduled drill).
3) Complete one NHQ-approved advanced training.
4) Pass the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) within the previous six months.
5) Serve a minimum of 6 months as a Petty Officer Second Class (PO2).
6) Serve a minimum of 27 months as a Sea Cadet (from joining as a Recruit).
Petty Officer 1st Class to Chief Petty Officer
Cadets achieving PO1 are eligible to seek advancement to Chief Petty Officer (“CPO”). Accomplishment of this advancement requires dedication and hard work. In addition to class work, physical fitness and minimum age, CPO candidates must also have attended POLA and be accepted and serve as a Staff Cadet at either an NSCC Recruit Training or an NLCC Orientation Training as well as attend an Advanced Training. It is recommended that those seeking to promote to CPO apply to serve as a Staff Cadet during their PO1 summer. This will also serve as a eligible Advanced Training for PO1.
To promote in rank from E6 to E7:
Cadets may be advanced to Chief Petty Officer (E7) when the following requirements are met:
1) Complete assignments 1-6 for Chief Petty Officer.
2) Complete Staff Cadet Duty in a leadership position at either NSCC Recruit Training or NLCC Basic Orientation after the completion of Petty Officer Leadership Academy (POLA). If Staff Cadet Duty was used to satisfy the training requirement for advancement to PO1, another Advanced Training must be completed.
3) Pass a semi-annual physical fitness assessment.
4) Have reached at least 16 years of age.