Parent & Guardian FAQs
WILL MY CHILD HAVE TO JOIN THE ROYAL MARINES IF THEY BECOME A CADET?
No. The Royal Marines Cadets are supported by the Royal Navy, but there is absolutely no requirement or pressure on cadets to join any of the armed services at any time. However, the experience of being a Royal Marines Cadet certainly increases their options and enhances their future career prospects.
WILL BEING IN THE CADETS HELP MY CHILD IF THEY WANT TO JOIN THE ROYAL MARINES?
Yes. Joining the Royal Marines Cadets provides a good insight into life in the Royal Marines, or any of the armed services (it has also helped some of our cadets join the police force), and helps young people decide whether it is the right path for them. Cadets get basic military training and spend time on military training areas and ships during camps. This gives them a great advantage over those new regular or reserve forces recruits that have not had any cadet experience. Our intent, however, is in character building - helping cadets become well-rounded, self-disciplined, positively minded, confident individuals; life-ready! This, as an organisation, is what motivates us most.
As a matter of fact, the quality of self-discipline, teamwork and leadership skills training we provide mean life as a Royal Marines Cadet is a career prospect enhancer for whichever trade or profession they choose, and most certainly an experience to include in their future CV.
HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE MY CHILD WILL BE SAFE?
We have robust and very strict processes in place to keep our cadets safe when they are with the RMC, and elsewhere. Each adult volunteer undergoes an enhanced disclosure check (previously known as a criminal records check) and other in depth UK Government security vetting procedures when they join the RMC, which are renewed at regular intervals while they remain with us. We also have strict rules about how cadets are supervised, and every adult volunteer receives frequently updated training in how to deal with safeguarding incidents when they happen.
We do not tolerate any form of bullying or discrimination in the RMC and have simple and effective methods in place for cadets to report these to our volunteers who are very well trained on how to deal with incidents.
The safety of cadets on events and activities is paramount and supported by a team of national and regional training teams, as well as a full-time Training Safety Adviser, who together make sure that training is conducted as safely as possible while still being exciting and challenging.
HOW MUCH DOES THE UNIFORM COST?
All cadets are provided with uniform while they are in the RMC which is returned when they leave. There is no charge for this, although you may be asked for a returnable deposit. We do not provide boots and you will need to buy a pair for your child when they join. Your local detachment volunteer team will be able to advise on where you can find approved uniform items. Other training and personal safety equipment needed is loaned to cadets on an "as required basis" issued from the Unit stores.
WHICH DAYS AND TIMES DO THE CADETS MEET?
Detachments meets for two hours on evenings, and sometimes weekends, throughout the year. These are called parade nights. Detachment evening parades usually start between 7pm and 7.30pm and end at 9.30pm. Cadets will also meet for weekend camps, competitions and other training events. Your detachment adult volunteer team will be able to give you more information on exact times and what activities your child can get involved with.
WHAT ARE EASTER AND SUMMER CAMPS?
Each year, cadets are invited to join an Easter and Summer Camp and go away with other cadets in their Company for up to two weeks during the school holidays. For most cadets, these camps are highlights of their year with the RMC. Each Camp is different, but all cadets will get to learn new skills as well as put into practice some of the lessons they have learnt in detachments.
DO YOU SUPPORT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD SCHEME?
Absolutely. We are a DofE Licensed Operator and approved activity provider. Many of our adventure training events qualify as DofE modules, and being a member of the Royal Marines Cadets is nationally renowned as one of the most cost-effective ways of achieving DofE awards as our charges for these events are generally much less than other orgsanisations. In particular, our sea training is of the best standards in the world, and bursaries are available to help even further with costs. In this respect, the variety and value for money opportunities we provide make us unique among youth organisations.
ARE RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS OFFERED?
Yes. As well as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, the Royal Marines Cadets are authorised trainers for awards and qualifications issued by the Royal Yachting Association, BTEC (Marine Engineering), and the British Canoeing Union. Visit the Organisation & Structure section of this website for more information on the full range of awards and qualifications we can offer. Our First Aid at Work certification is an extremely valuable and much sought after qualification which is nationally recognised and transferable outside of the cadet force. It is a qualification that would cost upward of £450 to obtain elsewhere.
ARE RANKS IN THE SEA CADETS REAL?
There are only a few regular officers serving within the Sea or Royal Marines Cadets, ten we believe. Their role is principally to ensure that the standards of the regular Royal Navy and Royal Marines are maintained. All other adult staff are ranked Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVS) - civilians who selflessly give of their time to help the MSSC mimic the organisation of the regular services in order to provide a structured and safe quasi-military training environment for the experience of the cadets they serve. As with cadet ranks, they carry no authority outside Sea Cadet activities, and any courtesy"ranks" they hold whilst acting their part within the cadet organisation have no meaning in the regular services, or anywhere else.
Sea and Royal Marines Cadet uniforms and rank insignia look similar to the regular Royal Navy and Royal Marines, but they are clearly marked SCC or Cadet Forces. This is intentional: it supports tradition, discipline, and training — not to pretend to be of that rank.
In summary: apart from the few regular officers mentioned, all other ranks are courtesy appointments held by civilians for use only within the Sea Cadets to help support a structure for the benefit of the Cadets and signify no other status. Every CFAV understands this, and it is the same in any Cadet Force.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO BE A CADET?
Thanks to the support of the Royal Navy, we can keep the costs of being a Royal Marines Cadet very low. There will be costs for attending weekend training camps, easter and summer camps, and other activities, but we try to keep these as low as possible. Bursaries are available to help even further with some activities. Parade nights in detachments are free, but we may request a small monthly subscription to go towards detachment events and visits.
HOW DO YOU RESPECT DIVERSITY?
All Royal Marines Cadets follow the same principles as the Royal Navy, welcoming people from all backgrounds because we know the value that diverse perspectives and experiences bring. From recruitment to training, we make decisions without bias. That means giving everyone the same opportunity to develop, grow and thrive. Taking on new challenges with confidence that they'll be supported by their peers and leaders.
WHAT ORGANISATIONS HAVE ROYAL MARINES CADET UNITS?
The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) Royal Marines Cadets are by far the largest, but the Volunteer Cadet Corps (VCC) were the first Royal Marines Cadets formed and recognised by the Royal Navy having been established at Eastney Barracks in 1901. The Independent Cadet Corps (ICC) also have Marine Cadets, as do the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). The CCF Marine Cadet units are based, generally, within independent schools throughout the country. Not all CCF Units have Royal Marines Detachments, and many young people favour keeping their cadet activities seperate from their schools to give themselves more freedom, and opportunities to make new friends from diverse backgrounds.
WHEN CAN MY CHILD JOIN THE RMC?
They will need to be at least aged 13 for direct entry into the SCC Royal Marines Cadets, but they can join the Unit as a Junior Sea Cadet aged 10, and then transfer to the Royal Marines Cadets if they wish on attaining the age of 13. Other organisations mentioned above may take direct entry Marine Cadets much younger.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
We hope to have answered most of the frequently asked questions here and you have found them to be compelling, but if you have any further questions, we will welcome you getting in contact with us using the Contact page. We look forward to hearing from you soon.