Rank Structure

New Entry (NE)

You first join the Sea Cadet Corps as a New Entry.  Your basic training lasts about six to eight weeks during this you'll be taught the basics of uniform care, the history of the SCC and NZCF and other subjects, at the end of which you will be assessed for enrollment into the Sea Cadet Corps and promotion to Ordinary Cadet.

Ordinary Cadet (OCDT)

On promotion to Ordinary Cadet you will commence the next phase of your training that will last about ten weeks. During this time you'll learn skills such as seamanship which includes (but not limited to); boat handling, ropework skills, navigation and basic first aid. On completion of this training phase you will be assessed for promotion to Able Cadet.

Able Cadet (ACDT)

This rank, as it implies, means that you are now able to carry out all duties expected from a qualified Sea Cadet.  At this time you will be eligible to attend a Junior Non-commissioned Officer (JNCO) course. Here you will be taught instructional techniques and your leadership skills will be honed. On successful completion of this course you will be qualified for promotion to Leading Cadet. All promotion at this stage is at the discretion of your Unit Commander.

Leading Cadet (LCDT)

You will now have entered the Leadership phase of your Sea Cadet Career.  At this point you will be placed in charge of other Sea Cadets for short periods and will have some responsible tasks to perform such as instructing Junior Cadets in nautical studies, drill, boat rigging etc.

After a period of 12 months as a JNCO you will be eligible to attend a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) course where your leadership and instructional skills will be further developed.

Petty Officer Cadet (POCDT)

On successful completion of the SNCO course you will be qualified for promotion to Petty Officer Cadet, at the discretion of your unit commander.  As a Petty Officer Cadet you will be expected to exercise control of Cadets for longer periods and for more complicated tasks. You may possibly be appointed as a divisional Petty Officer responsible for the care and welfare of the more junior Cadets.

Chief Petty Officer Cadet (CPOCDT)

As a Chief Petty Officer Cadet you will be more responsible for some of the general running of the unit and may be engaged in a staff position in the unit assisting a Unit Officer.

Warrant Officer Cadet (WOCDT)

After completion of a Warrant Officer course you will, at the Unit Commander’s discretion be promoted to Warrant Officer Cadet.  You will be expected to take on major roles in the unit as a regulating Coxswain or in a staff position.  You will be responsible for the general discipline of the Cadets. You also for the communication conduit between the cadets and the staff.

Officer Cadet (OFFCDT)

During an officers training they hold this rank until they complete the Commissioning course and are promoted to the rank of Acting Ensign (A/ENS). Once they have completed a statuary 1 year at this rank they are formally promoted to the rank of Ensign.

Ensign (ENS)

The first commissioned officer rank, usually tasked with teaching key lessons and often given control of a specific part of their unit such as working as the stores officer or admin officer. Once they have completed their Instructional Techniques and Technical Management course (ITTM) they become eligible for promotion.

Usually around this time an officer will have all the appropriate skills and qualifications in boating (Marine Safety Officer Course), shooting range management (Range Coaches Course, Range Conducting Officer Course) and/or outdoor activities (Officer Fieldcraft Course).

They will also be expected to attend courses as instructors and educate cadets from different units and different branches of the NZCF.

Sub-Lieutenant (SLT)

Once at this rank most officers are proficient at most tasks at unit level and in their Area.

Lieutenant (LT)

By now most officers have been an Executive Officer (XO) at a unit and are likely to become the unit commanding officer (CO or CUCDR) after completing the Command Course.

Lieutenant Commander (LTCDR)

The highest rank achievable in the NZSCC once in this position they tend to be the unit commander or a well experienced officer.