Yuma Sea Eagle Squadron recruits U.S. Naval Sea Cadets
News 11's Adonis Albright speaks with the Yuma squadron's Command Chief to learn more about the youth program
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Sea Eagle Squadron is holding a recruiting event for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets this weekend at the American Legion Post 19 in Yuma. The youth program provides endless opportunities for kids ages 10 to 18 to not only learn valuable life skills, but also job shadowing for multiple fields, both inside and outside the military.
The squadron started in 2015, and every year since has brought so many kids in the community together. 17-year-old Garvey Blackwell is the first female lead cadet in her squadron, and joined when the program first started in Yuma at the age of 11. She says this program is an experience that will go a long way in preparing a person for the real world.
“I’ve learned a lot about leadership skills and even just public speaking and different things like that from having to teach classes and different things that will help you in the future whether you go into the military or not… With trainings and stuff and meeting new people, talking to different people that you don’t really know, I think that with this organization really helps out, I think that’s one of the biggest things besides the military side of it", said Blackwell.
On the first day of the program, you are given a uniform and handed a book of knowledge; similar to the one they provide in the military about the rules and conduct of the program. Kids who stick with the program long-term and eventually enter the military will already have a head start when it comes to service.
“If you’re in the program for one year they take that as prior service basically, so when you go into the military and out of bootcamp you come out one pay grade in ranking higher than everybody else.”
Through various training programs, sea cadets can learn anything from cooking and cleaning, to cybersecurity and how to pilot a plane. Drills are typically held once per month, and can even entail traveling around the nation or abroad to locations like Guam, New York or California.
The Yuma Sea Eagle Squadron recently began in-person events last month after a little more than a year of switching to online activities. According to Blackwell, for a while it was challenging having to adapt to the change.
“It has been a big change going to virtual, it was harder just sitting in front of the screen; especially with the pandemic and school and everybody doing that, we’ve all been sitting in front of our computers or iPads for the majority of the day, rather than how we normally are."
Now that things are slowly returning to normal, Blackwell hopes recruitment will pick up and more kids will get involved in the program.
The event will be held on Saturday, May 14, at the American Legion Post 19 at 2575 Virginia Drive from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. To learn more about the program, click here. You can also email yumanavyleague@gmail.com to get signed up or ask questions.
