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U.S. Navy Sea Cadets present plan to establish Curry County unit; officials seek volunteers and meeting space
Summary
Representatives of the U.S. Navy Sea Cadets outlined program goals and local requirements at the Aug. 19 Curry County commissioners meeting and asked the county to help recruit adult volunteers, identify meeting space and determine a funding model.
Commissioner(s) on the Curry County Board of Commissioners introduced a U.S. Navy Sea Cadets presentation at the Aug. 19 meeting as an effort to start a local cadet unit for youth in grades 5–12.
Captain Kent, identified as strategic growth director for the U.S. Navy Sea Cadet program, described the program's mission as building "leaders of character" with a maritime focus that exposes youth to Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Merchant Marine and shipbuilding career paths. Captain Kent said units typically meet about 12 hours per month during the school year (roughly one weekend day and one weekday or weekly meetings) and offer advanced weeklong trainings during school breaks.
Valhan Manoughen, area commander for the Pacific Southwest, Heather Van Horn, a regional director and long‑time volunteer, and Angel Escango, the Oregon regional director, joined remotely to describe unit operations, volunteer training and outcomes. Van Horn and others said cadets gain career exposure and that alumni enter a mix of military, maritime and civilian careers.
Program requirements explained to the board included a target unit size of about 25 cadets (units may start with fewer and grow), a minimum of three to four committed adult volunteers to serve as unit leadership, and access to two to three classrooms plus storage for uniforms and equipment. Captain Kent outlined participant costs: a $125 enrollment fee, uniforms that typically range between about $200 and $715 depending on available surplus uniforms, and advanced training weeks that generally cost about $300 plus transportation. Units and community sponsors can adopt varying funding models to reduce family costs.
Next steps discussed included identifying four prospective adult volunteers willing to be trained as unit leadership, finding a meeting (drill) facility and storage, and holding an open house to assess youth interest. Commissioners on the dais said local maritime culture, the fishing economy and tourism could help recruit interest and volunteers.
No formal county action was taken; Sea Cadet representatives asked county leaders and community groups to help identify potential sponsors, volunteers and facilities so the program can begin local outreach and recruitment.
