Cadets follow an ethos, training plan and rank structure similar to that of the Royal Navy, and are recognised by the UK Ministry of Defence.

In 1854, a Vicar in Whitstable, Kent returned from the Crimean War and founded an orphanage where sailors taught nautical skills to prepare orphans for future careers.

Multiple similar orphanages were founded across the country, and the organisation became known as the Naval Lads' Brigade.

[7] On 31 March 1980 the Ministry of Defence approved the admission of girls into the Sea Cadet Corps.

[4] The Sea Cadets' ethos is made up of three parts: its values, its mindset, and the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy.

[9] These are taught by staff throughout the time cadets are with a unit, there is also an expectation that Chaplains will take a lead in such delivery.

[12] Each unit is a separate registered charity, affiliated to the Marine Society & Sea Cadets.

They form the Unit Management Team, responsible for providing the resources to safely carry out the training programme.

Royal Marine Cadets also complete the CTP but have additional elements such as camp craft and weapon handling, amongst others.

When you become the rating of Able Cadet (AC) you start a new syllabus called the LDP (Leadership and Development Programme).

Skills learned in a cadet's time in the SCC usually fall into one of two categories - Specialisations and Proficiencies.

Basic specialisations are often gained at the unit during regular training, while Intermediate and Advanced awards are held on an Area or National basis.

The BTECs are offered by CVQO, and include Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community (formerly Public Service), Music, and Engineering.

These include paddle sport, where they can gain Paddle Power or Star Awards through British Canoeing (formerly known as BCU), First Aid, where they can earn St John Ambulance First Aid certifications, Rowing, where they can earn British Rowing (BR) qualifications and Powerboating/Sailing/Windsurfing/Navigation where they can gain Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualifications.

National courses are also held, often on Royal Navy bases, to teach skills such as leadership and teamwork.

Specialist qualification courses include power boating in Scotland, cooking in Preston, and fire fighting in Cornwall.

The following rates and ranks can be awarded to uniformed adult volunteers, there are also Non-uniformed Civilian Instructors (CIs) and Unit Assistants (UAs).

From 2009 to 2019, if a person joined as a Civilian Instructor and wanted to be a uniformed member of staff, they would become an Acting Petty Officer or Sergeant, following a 6-month probationary period.

From 2020, an adult can join as a uniformed member of staff as a probationary Petty Officer or Sergeant on completion of their application process.

Units may also have 1 or more ribs equipped with outboard engines, and possibly a rigiflex 360, in addition to vessels designed specifically for the SCC such as the Trinity 500 rowing boat and RS Quest dinghy.

[16] The ship's hull is of high tensile steel, with her superstructure of glass reinforced plastic.

The training ships can hold between 12-16 cadets, four permanent staff, and two CFAVs and provides an experience at sea focussing on deck work, navigation, bridge watchkeeping, cook/steward, and marine engineering.

Each vessel is fitted with twin Perkins Sabre Type M215C Turbo Diesel main engines, each giving 200 shp (150 kW) at 2,500 rpm.

The boat was designed by Jo Richards, Olympic medallist and designer of a wide range of craft, in response to the requirement of the Sea Cadets for modern, low maintenance, purpose-designed fixed seat rowing boat with good performance under oars and with the capacity to mount a small outboard motor.

The charity promotes a culture of safety alongside its own safeguarding support systems, including whistle-blowing procedures.