Frequently Asked Questions
Cadets
What is the Navy Training Corps?
Where are they and when do they meet?
If I join does it mean that I have to join the Navy?
Parents
Where and when does this take place?
Do they stop during school holidays like most clubs?
How often will there be activities?
Who is supervising the cadets?
Uniform – Is this another set of clothes I have to buy?
What information will be kept?
What training do the instructors have?
Will taking part in the cadets assist them to join the Royal Navy/Royal Marines?
Potential Instructors
Do I have to have served in the Royal Navy or Mercantile Marine?
What checks will be made on me?
For futher information, or if you wish to join us, please use the Comment Box at the bottom of this page.
What is the Navy Training Corps?
The Navy Training Corps is a youth organisation set up to allow young people to develop in a structured environment.
Being part of the Corps allows you to mix with other young people, learn new skills and take part in variety of different activities.
There are a number of locations, (units,) across the country where cadets parade.
Every unit parades once or twice a week. On these nights they take part in training in various subjects. These range from drill to first aid, communications to seamanship skills, and many others. They have the opportunity to meet new friends, learn new things, and of course, have fun.
Activities include drill and ceremonial training and events; adventurous training – field work and camp craft; and in some units target shooting; sailing and canoeing.
Cadets can specialise in different subjects including: seamanship; communications; engineering; logistics and cooking/stewarding.
The Navy Training Corps is aimed at boys and girls aged between 8 and 18 years of age.
Where are they and when do they meet?
For details of your local unit please search on the Navy Training Corps Unit Locater. Click HERE for link.
You will get a uniform. The type of uniform will depend on what age you enter at. If you are between 8 and 10 your uniform will be a white T-shirt and blue sweatshirt, both with the Corps logo on, and a blue beret with beret badge.
Once you reach 10 you will wear uniform similar to that worn by the Royal Navy. As well as a beret you will wear a white cap with the unit name on the cap tally.
Seamanship involves learning how to tie knots, use blocks and tackles, how to handle boats and ropes; learning about parts of a boat and other skills that will be used when sailing or at sea.
Certainly you can bring a friend, we are always open to young people wanting to join.
If I join does it mean that I have to join the Navy?
No you do not have to join the Navy, although many young people from cadet backgrounds do end up going into the armed forces, merchant navy or civilian emergency services.
Whilst it is better that you can swim most units have swimming as one of their activities and you will be given the chance to learn in the safety of a local swimming pool.
Parents
It is pay as you go, therefore if you don’t turn up you don’t have to pay or do you pay in advance (e.g. weekly/monthly) and then obviously cut your losses if you don’t attend on one or two nights?)
Subscriptions can differ between units, this will usually depend on the overheads that they have. Most units accept payment on a night by night basis, but you are also welcome to pay by direct debit or standing order, or even for a year at a time. Please speak to your local unit’s administration officer.
Where and when does this take place?
This will depend on the closest unit to where you live. These details can be found on the Corps website. Click HERE for Unit Locater.
Do they stop during school holidays like most clubs?
Again this will depend on each individual unit. E.g. The Gloucester Unit, TS Bulldog parades throughout the year, regardless of school holidays. It does not, however, parade on Christmas, Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Years Day. We think this is beneficial as young people still want to be taking part in activities, probably more so when they are not at school.
On top of this it can take a long time to catch up from where they left off, particularly with a long holiday such as in the summer. And of course, cadets would miss out on the best time of year to go out canoeing, boating, adventure training, etc. if they stopped parading during the summer holidays!
How often will there be activities?
Activities will take place regularly; it will depend very much on the availability of unit staff and the access to equipment. Where possible activities will be subsidized, but there will be occasions when parents will need to cover the full cost.
A risk assessment is carried out on all adventurous activities, and they will be run by suitably qualified instructors, either Navy Training Corps or from an external organisation. Each unit has qualified first aiders on their staff.
Who is supervising the cadets?
Cadets are supervised by both uniform and non uniform adult members of staff. These are all subject to CRB checks and they are all interviewed before they are appointed. Part of the application process is to obtain and follow up on references.
Uniform – Is this another set of clothes I have to buy?
Unfortunately we are unable to supply uniforms free of charge as we get no funding from the MoD.
Juniors wear a different uniform from the rest of the cadets. (This helps identify them as juniors when in a group of cadets. The juniors wear a white t-shirt, blue sweatshirt (both with the Navy Training Corps logo on it) and beret with Navy Training Corps beret badge. We have managed to keep the costs down and the whole package will cost £20. The benefit of this is that they have their own beret and beret badge when they become a senior.
Seniors wear working dress and “best” uniform in line with that worn by the Royal Navy and the Navy Training Corps Dress Regulations. A deposit of £25 will be charged on issue of the uniform. This will be refunded on return of the uniform less any costs necessary for repair or cleaning.
What information will be kept?
Inevitably it will be necessary to keep information about a cadet on record. This will include parent or guardian details for contacting in the case of an emergency. We will only keep such information as is necessary to maintain our administration and training records.
All information will be held in accordance with the rules and regulations laid down by the Information Commissioner. Each unit will register with the Information Commissioner.
What training do the instructors have?
All staff will receive training in relation to their duties and responsibilities as a member of staff. They will also receive training in relation to any of the proficiencies and specialisations that they will teach or be in charge of.
Yes. Each unit will obtain their own insurance to cover the activities that they engage in.
Will taking part in the cadets assist them to join the Royal Navy/Royal Marines?
Membership of the Corps will not guarantee them entry into the Royal Navy or Royal Marines. However, the skills and qualifications that they attain during their membership of the Corps will help them in applying for and should they join the service. This is because the training, in particular specialisations, is based on that of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
Potential Instructors
To join the Corps you can either visit your nearest unit and meet the commanding officer and staff, or you can apply on line via the Comment Box at the bottom of this page.
As staff are dealing with young people it is essential that they are checked, see below.
You will be expected to carry out your duties as either a civilian or uniformed instructor in accordance with the Navy Training Corps Regulations and instructions from your commanding officer and other senior officers.
You will be expected to attend all parade nights at the unit, (unless otherwise agreed with your commanding officer,) and assist at other events as and when you are able to.
It will be necessary for you to undertake some training to assist you both in your normal role and any specialisations that you have no experience or qualifications in.
Do I have to have served in the Royal Navy or Mercantile Marine?
No you don’t but obviously previous service experience would be beneficial.
What checks will be made on me?
Everybody that applies to be a member of staff will be subject to CRB checks and their references followed up. They will also be interviewed by the commanding officer and unit chairman.
You do not need any special equipment to join. It is up to you whether you want to be a uniformed or “civilian” instructor. Nobody will make you become a uniformed member of staff!
If you do become a uniformed member of staff then the Corps will assist in obtaining your uniform. There may be some personal expense involved.
You will be trained in the skills that you need to be an instructor within the Navy Training Corps. You will have the opportunity to undertake training in relation to the various specialisations and activities that cadets carry out.
The Navy Training Corps will accept appropriate nationally accepted qualifications where supported by documentary evidence.
