An unfortunate event occurred this past summer of 2000 that is both insightful and disturbing. Members of U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp units, sponsored by the Navy League, were unable to locate their annual New England Regional Boot Camp at its former site at the Naval Station, Newport, Rhode Island. This was a disturbing occurrence for many reasons, not the least of which was a lost opportunity for the Navy to make a favorable impression on young minds.
In the past, the Navy made its Recruit Training Command sites available for the conduct of these two-week Sea Cadet camps. Recently, the program's leaders decided to go to regional boot camps at naval installations in the geographic regions where the Sea Cadet units reside. The result has been positive, and there has not been the need for expensive transportation that might pose a burden for some of the families of these young men and women. The cadets train close to home, in familiar geographical and climatological conditions that offer a little reassurance to an uneasy 14-year old. For many of these young people this is their first experience away from home. They are thrust into a demanding and stressful environment, which for many will prove a crucible for their commitment to the Navy. Those who complete the course come away with a sense of accomplishment to which many of their peers cannot relate. More important, they have that sense that "I can do this."
It is unfortunate that the Navy lost a golden opportunity to make a lasting impression on these young minds with a positive experience at a Navy facility. For the cadets in New England this past summer, the U.S. Army hosted them at the former Fort Devens. By all accounts, it was an incredibly positive experience, and the vast majority of these young men and women walked away with a newfound respect-for the Army.
The young people participating in the Sea Cadet program are there because they want to be. We get only limited opportunities to make favorable impressions on these young minds and we can ill afford to put out the "There is no room at the inn" sign. Three or four years out, this will be the recruiting pool we will be looking at, and the Navy will spend millions of dollars on advertising to entice them into the service. But for now they are a captive and receptive audience. We shouldn't slam the door on our future. The Army thanks us for our missed opportunity.