The Partnership

The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Program is a unique partnership between the Department of National Defence and the Navy League of Canada. This partnership can be found at all levels of the program: at the national level, the provincial level and most importantly, at the local level. Each Corps is sponsored by a Branch. The Branch is comprised of civilian volunteers who have various duties such as administration, fund raising, assisting in the operation of the Corps, securing facilities for training, assisting in finding suitable adults to act as officers and civilian instructors and assisting in the recruitment of cadets.

The Branch’s fund make possible supplemental optional activities and programs such as citizenship trips, music programs and flotilla competitions not funded by the Canadian Forces. Each Corps is staffed by a group of officers, civilian instructors and volunteers under the direction of the Commanding Officer (CO). The CO is responsible for the control, welfare and training of the cadets and for supervising the operation of the Corps and the implementation of the training program. The CO and his/her team organize the training program according to nationally-set standards and implement various training activities during the week and on weekends.

At the provincial and national level, the Department of National Defence and the Navy League of Canada work cooperatively to provide the necessary structure, guidance and resources to support the Corps at the local level. This includes provision of uniforms and training for officers and cadets, sailboats for the sailing program as well as administrative support for Corps and Branches. Without this unique partnership, the Sea Cadet program would not be as successful as it is today.