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Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps facts for kids

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Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps
Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps.jpg
Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps badge
Founded 16 February 1968
Country Hong Kong
Type Maritime youth charity
Size 1800 Cadets and Adult Staff
Headquarters Diamond Hill, Kowloon
Website http://www.seacadet.org.hk
Commanders
Captain Rebecca YUEN Ching Fong
Commander Ricky FUNG Chi On
Commander Leo WONG Cheuk Wai

The Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps (HKSCC) is a special group for young people in Hong Kong. It was started in 1968 by former naval officers. This group helps young people learn about the sea and develop important life skills.

Before 1997, the HKSCC was connected to the British Armed Forces' cadet programs. Today, it is mainly supported by the Hong Kong government. It also gets help from groups like the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The HKSCC has about 1,800 young cadets and adult staff members. Their main office is in Diamond Hill, Kowloon. They have 32 training places and two special centres for water activities.

Understanding Ranks and Roles

HKSCC Parade Guard
The Ceremonial Guard of the HKSCC marching in a parade.

The HKSCC uses a system of ranks similar to the Royal Navy and their own Sea Cadets program. These ranks help organize the members and show their experience and leadership. There are different ranks for officers, instructors, and cadets.

Ranks for Officers

Officers are adult leaders who guide the cadets. They have ranks like Captain, Commander, and Lieutenant. Each rank has its own special insignia, which is a symbol worn on their uniform.

Ranks and Insignia of HKSCC Officers
Rank Captain (Capt) Commander (Cdr) Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Lieutenant (Lt) Sub-Lieutenant (S/Lt) Midshipman (Mid)
Insignia HKSCC Captain Insignia.gif Commander (HKSCC).gif Lieutenant Commander (HKSCC).gif Lieutenant (HKSCC).gif Sub-Lieutenant (HKSCC).gif Midshipman (HKSCC).gif

Ranks for Instructors

Instructors are also adult staff members who help train the cadets. They have ranks like Chief Petty Officer and Petty Officer.

Ranks and Insignia of HKSCC Instructors/ NCO (Non-commissioned Officer)
Rank Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Petty Officer (PO) Acting Petty officer (APO)
Insignia Chief Petty Officer (HKSCC).gif Petty Officer (HKSCC).gif Acting Petty Officer (HKSCC).gif

Ranks for Cadets

Cadets are the young people who join the HKSCC. As they learn and gain experience, they can move up in ranks. These ranks include Leading Cadet, Able Cadet, and Ordinary Cadet. New members start as New Entry.

Ranks and Insignia HKSCC Junior Rates/ Cadets
Rank Leading Cadet (LC) Able Cadet (AC) Ordinary Cadet (OC) Junior Cadet (JC) New Entry (NE)
Insignia Leading Cadet (HKSCC).gif Able Cadet (HKSCC).gif Ordinary Cadet (HKSCC).gif Junior Cadet (HKSCC).gif None

What Cadets Wear: Uniforms

Members of the HKSCC wear different uniforms depending on what they are doing.

Everyday Training Uniform

For regular training, officers, instructors, and cadets wear a dark navy uniform. This includes dark navy berets (or white caps for officers and instructors), blue shirts, dark navy blue trousers, and black boots. This uniform is called the Action Working Dress (AWD). It is similar to a uniform worn by the Royal Navy.

Special Occasion Uniforms

For important events like parades or public ceremonies, they wear more formal uniforms. In summer, they might wear white dress uniforms. In winter, they wear blue dress uniforms. These are also similar to the formal uniforms worn by the Royal Navy.

You can find more details about their uniforms on the official Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps website.

Training Facilities

The HKSCC has many places where cadets can train and learn. These training units are often called "Training Ships" or TS, even though they are on land. Many of them are named after famous ships of the Royal Navy.

  • TS Ark Royal
  • TS Brilliant
  • TS Cornflower
  • TS Drake
  • TS Eternity
  • TS Hero
  • TS King Ling
  • TS Lightning
  • TS Ma Ko Pan
  • TS Mountbatten (named after a famous naval leader, Lord Louis Mountbatten)
  • TS Nelson (named after a famous admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson)
  • TS Neptune
  • TS Royalist
  • TS Somerset
  • TS Unicorn
  • TS York

Main Training Centres

Besides the "Training Ships," the HKSCC also has larger training centres:

  • Administration Headquarters in Diamond Hill, Kowloon
  • Jubilee Centre in Stanley, Hong Kong Island
  • Tang Shiu Kin Nautical Centre in Sai Kung, New Territories

They also have a training boat called Supertee.

Awards and Recognition

The Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps gives out its own awards to members who do well. These awards are not the same as government medals in Hong Kong, but they are designed to look similar to awards given in the United Kingdom.

Some of the awards include:

  • Outstanding Cadet(s) of the Year
  • Best Unit of the Year
  • Hong Kong Sea Cadet Force Medal (This medal replaced the Cadet Force Medal after 1997).

Other Cadet Groups

If you are interested in the HKSCC, you might also like to learn about other cadet groups in Hong Kong:

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