Code of Conduct

Our commitment to a safe and respectful training environment starts with cadets and adult officers adhering to (and enforcing) the Code of Conduct. Cadets must memorize the cadet Code of Conduct (below) as part of their Recruit Orientation. In addition, cadets indicate their understanding of prohibited behaviors by signing the CO’s Top 7 list (below) when they join. These are regularly reviewed with the division. Simply, we expect exceptional military bearing (behavior) at all times. Cadets who only follow the Code of Conduct during Sea Cadet activities will not go far in USNSCC. However, cadets who incorporate the Code of Conduct in all aspects of their lives will go far in Sea Cadets and beyond. The Sea Cadet program is designed to reward and promote cadets who are exceptional role models and leaders - exactly the type of person the Code of Conduct describes.

Violations of the Code of Conduct or CO’s Top 7 will result in corrective action.

First Offense: If there is a violation of the code of conduct, you will be informed privately (with 2 adult officers), and the problem explained and documented.

Second Offense: You will be informed privately (with 2 adult officers), and the problem explained and documented. In addition, you may be asked to review the Code of Conduct and Prohibited Behavior training in Polaris.

Third Offense: You will be informed privately (with 2 adult officers), and the problem explained and documented. In addition, the Commanding Officer will schedule a meeting with the cadet and a parent/guardian to develop a behavior plan.

Continued violations of the Code of Conduct or CO’s Top 7 will result in dismissal from the program.

CODE OF CONDUCT - Printable

I WILL

  • put others before self

  • participate with enthusiasm

  • meet or exceed all advancement requirements

  • wear my uniform with pride

  • follow our Navy’s customs and courtesies

  • know the rules and follow them

  • do the right thing, even when it’s not popular

  • stay away from alcohol, drugs, and gangs

  • perform each task with maximum effort

  • earn the trust of my superiors and the respect of my subordinates

  • strive to become a leader of character

  • treat others with dignity and respect

  • stand up against bullying, hazing, harassment, discrimination, gossip, and all other forms of prohibited conduct

CO’S TOP 7 - Printable

BREAKING OF ANY OF THE CO’S TOP 7 RULES WILL RESULT IN CAPTAINS MAST AND POSSIBLE TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION IN THE SEA CADET ACTIVITY, AND/OR THE PROGRAM.

  1. HAZING
    Any action taken or situation created to intentionally cause embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, or to intentionally risk emotional and/or intentionally risk emotional and/or physical harm. It is still hazing even if the victim is a “willing participant”. At its core, hazing is an act of embarrassing someone primarily for the purpose of embarrassing them.

  2. BULLYING
    Unwanted, aggressive behavior among peers that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying generally involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, such actions as: making threats, spreading rumors, assaulting someone physically or verbally, or intentionally excluding someone from a group.

  3. DISCRIMINATION
    Unjustly making distinctions in the treatment of different categories of people. Prejudice is pre-judgement, bias, or partially; it is a preconceived opinion not based on the actual experience. The USNSCC is a meritocracy – here, you will be judged solely on your performance. There is no place in the USNSCC for ignorant biases, bigotry, prejudgment based upon race, color, sex, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. No preferential treatment will be given towards anyone regardless of color, creed, religious preference, gender, or race. Everyone will treat all equally. You will be treated equally and with respect, you will be expected to treat others the same.

  4. SEXUAL HARASSMENT
    A form of discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with an individual’s performance or creates an intimidating or hostile environment. This policy is gender neutral and applies the same way to males and females at the Sea Cadet activity. There is no place in the USNSCC for off-color jokes, teasing about sex or sexuality, inappropriate behavior in the showers, flirting, requests for dates, or any form of physical or sexual contact.

  5. FRATERNIZATION
    An unduly familiar relationship between superiors and subordinates that is prejudicial to good order and discipline. Fraternization weakens the integrity of the chain of command by creating the appearance of favoritism in our environment. NO males in the female berthing. NO females in the male berthing.

  6. CADET-TO-CADET CONTACT
    Keep your hands to yourself! No one at a Sea Cadet activity may touch you without your permission! There will be NO cadet-to-cadet physical contact unless it is for training purposes (under adult supervision). This includes “just joking/playing around”. Appropriate genstures like handshakes or fist bumps are acceptable.

  7. RACISM/VULGARITY
    No one at a Sea Cadet activity will display any act of racism towards another at any time. Furthermore, no one will engage in the use of profane, vulgar, and/or offensive language during Sea Cadet activities.

OTHER PROHIBITED BEHAVIOR

Smoking, consumption of alcohol or drug use is forbidden for ALL cadet personnel.
Possession of, use of, any of the above will result in immediate termination from the activity and return home at the parents’/guardians’ expense.

Weapons - Do not bring any knives or other weapons to Sea Cadet activities. Both will be confiscated and not returned, except to a parent.
Possession of, use of, any of the above will result in immediate termination from the activity and return home at the parents’/guardians’ expense.

Inappropriate Behavior - Inappropriate behavior is defined as any behavior that, in the opinion of the Commanding Officer, brings disfavor or maligns the image of the USNSCC or any member of the USNSCC in the eyes of Command.
Any cadet displaying inappropriate behavior will be terminated from the Sea Cadet activity and returned home at the parents’/guardians’ expense.

Cell Phones - Per NHQ regulations no cellphones are allowed at Sea Cadet activities.
They will be collected at the start of activities and returned at the end of the activity