What We Do
Rochester CA-124 meets one weekend each month for drill - Saturday from 0800-1530 and Sunday from 0800-1430. The drill schedule for the upcoming year is published in July. Check out upcoming division activities on the calendar. Cadets are expected to prioritize drill attendance, with a minimum of 75% attendance throughout the year.
We typically drill at the Navy Reserve Center (NRC) at 439 Paul Rd, Rochester, NY 14624. Occasionally, we meet off-site for special training evolutions.
Some elements of drill are cadet led. Our senior and staff cadets have attended leadership training and are eager to practice leading their fellow cadets through close order drill and marching; teaching and enforcing Navy customs and courtesy; demonstrating responsible chain-of-command; and helping raise up new leaders from among the cadet ranks.
Other parts of drill are adult led. Our regular and guest instructors come from a wide-variety of vocations. We have law enforcement personnel, first responders, teachers, health care professionals, and business men and women who dedicate time each month to teach, coach, and mentor the cadets. We regularly cover important social topics such as bullying, hazing, harassment, fraternization, fair treatment, cyber safety, substance abuse, and mental health. There is also a significant focus on physical fitness - every day of drill includes PT activities and cadets must pass Physical Requirement Testing twice a year.
Our drill activities enforce the USNSCC Core Values - Honor, Respect, Commitment, Service. We do this through a mix of classroom and hands-on activities. We aim to expose cadets to the many options available to them in future military service in all branches. However, if military service is not their goal, the safe, structured environment of drill helps these young men and women develop as leaders of character so they may excel among their peers today and in their future vocations.
Monthly Drill
Online Coursework
USNSCC maintains an online portal for cadets and parents called Quarterdeck (also known as Magellan). Within Quarterdeck, there is a learning platform called Polaris. Cadets are required to complete online coursework and exams to be eligible to advance in rank and to attend national trainings. Typically a cadet has 3-6 months to complete each stage of coursework and the exam.
Coursework includes topics such as:
Sea Cadet Introduction to mission, core values, history, program expectations, and basic customs and courtesies
Sea Cadet Code of Conduct, bullying, hazing, harassment, fraternization, fair treatment, cyber safety, substance abuse, and mental health
Introduction to and history of U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Merchant Marines
First Aid, Fire Safety
Seamanship
Goal-setting and personal responsibility
Public speaking
Teamwork
As cadets rise in rank to Petty Officer and beyond, their coursework includes more independent study with practical application.
As a team, our division chooses to meet regularly to serve in Rochester-area communities. Most of the service activities we participate in help or honor veterans - those who served before us. Each December our cadets lay wreaths on the headstones of veterans with Wreaths Across America. We regularly greet Honor Flight veterans at the Welcome Home celebration at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. A few times a year, we travel to the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia to visit residents and deliver holiday cards from our division. We carry colors and march in Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades.
We believe that being a Sea Cadet means putting our country, communities, and others ahead of ourselves. Learning to be a leader of character means prioritizing opportunities to use our resources to benefit others, rather than only seeking benefits for ourselves. Participation in these division-organized service activities is not required, but we hope our cadets’ commitment to service causes them to want to show up with their shipmates.
Community Service
Off-Site Field Operations
One of the most highly-anticipated activities of the year is off-site, overnight field operations. During field ops, cadets have a chance to learn and practice real tactical maneuvers, use GPS and night-vison equipment, and administer combat medical aid. They are presented with a scenario and sent out as companies to complete missions. During post-op review, cadets discuss what went well, and areas where they could improve.
Other off-site training may include adventure activities, team-building opportunities, or instruction in a skill by area agencies.
Times like these, outside of the NRC classroom, is where our cadets get to know their shipmates better and forge friendships founded in trust and respect. It is where the cadets can demonstrate their skills and shine in their areas of interest and expertise.
Our cadets also look forward to traveling together for a multi-day trip most years. An extended annual trip is possible when fundraising goals have been met. The trip is a reward for cadets who have consistently attended drill, eagerly engaged in unit activities, often participated in service opportunities, and contributed to the fundraising efforts.
Past trips have taken our unit to New York City during Fleet Week, Washington, D.C., Norfolk, VA for a visit to Nauticus and a tour of the U.S.S. Wisconsin, Arlington National Cemetery, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to participate in a wreath laying ceremony, a tour of the U.S Naval Academy by a former USNSCC Chief Petty Officer who now attends the Academy, the National Museum of the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
For 2026, Rochester CA-124 Division is planning a return trip to New York City for Sail 4th 250 in July, when tall ships of the world arrive at the Port of New York and New Jersey for a universal celebration of America's 250th anniversary!
One of our cadets recently remarked, “I’ve been to Arlington National Cemetery before, but it felt different and meant something to be there in uniform.” The memories made on these trips will last for a lifetime.
Annual Trip
National Training
A hallmark of the USNSCC program is the national trainings that are offered during summer and winter school breaks each year. At training, cadets gain unique and valuable experiences that incorporate hands on learning and teamwork. The diverse training offerings include leadership, seamanship, sailing, aviation, security, building robots, medical, STEM, SCUBA, submarines, photography, culinary, and special forces training.
High-school aged cadets are required to attend at least one training each year. Many cadets attend multiple Advanced Trainings (AT) each year. Middle-school aged League Cadets may choose to attend trainings that are suited for their age and ability.
The cost of training ranges from $300-$400, and includes 7-14 days of in-depth, hands-on training in a particular field area. Lodging and meals are provided. Travel expenses are not included.