Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps
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 officers from the Royal Naval Reserve. They created it under a special law in Hong Kong.

The HKSCC used to have ties with the British Armed Forces' cadet programs. These included the Combined Cadet Force and the Sea Cadet Corps in the UK. After Hong Kong became part of China in 1997, the HKSCC changed. Now, it mainly gets money from the government. It no longer has links to the People's Liberation Army Navy. The group also gets financial help from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and The Community Chest of Hong Kong.

The HKSCC is based in Diamond Hill, Kowloon. It has about 1800 cadets and adult staff members. There are 32 training units and two special nautical (sea-related) centers. These centers are located in Stanley Bay and Sai Kung.

Understanding Ranks & Roles

The HKSCC Ceremonial Guard marching in a parade to remember the end of World War II.

The Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps uses a ranking system similar to the Royal Navy and their own Sea Cadets program. This means cadets and officers have different levels, just like in a real navy.

Officer Ranks and Badges

Here are the ranks for officers in the HKSCC and what their badges look like:

Ranks and Insignia of HKSCC Officers

Rank	Captain (Capt)	Commander (Cdr)	Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr)	Lieutenant (Lt)	Sub-Lieutenant (S/Lt)	Midshipman (Mid)
Insignia

Instructor and NCO Ranks

These ranks are for instructors and NCOs (Non-commissioned Officers). They help train the cadets.

Ranks and Insignia of HKSCC Instructors/ NCO (Non-commissioned Officer)

Rank	Chief Petty Officer (CPO)	Petty Officer (PO)	Acting Petty officer (APO)
Insignia

Cadet Ranks

These are the ranks for the young cadets themselves, from new members to those with more experience.

Ranks and Insignia HKSCC Junior Rates/ Cadets

Rank	Leading Cadet (LC)	Able Cadet (AC)	Ordinary Cadet (OC)	Junior Cadet (JC)	New Entry (NE)
Insignia					None

What Cadets Wear: Uniforms

When cadets, instructors, and officers have regular training, they wear a dark navy uniform. This is called the Action Working Dress (AWD). It includes dark navy berets (or white peaked caps for instructors and officers), blue shirts, dark navy blue trousers, and black boots. This uniform is like the No.4AWD worn by the Royal Navy.

For special events like parades or public duties, they wear different uniforms. In summer, they might wear white dress uniforms (No.6). In winter, they wear blue dress uniforms (No.1). These are also similar to the Royal Navy uniform worn by their officers and sailors.

You can find more details about their uniforms here: Uniforms of the Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps

Training Equipment: Weapons

The Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps Ceremonial Guard uses replica rifles for parades. These are copies of the Enfield L85A1 rifle, also known as SA80 in the Royal Navy.

In the past, they used to train with the Lee-Enfield L59A1 Drill Rifle. However, they rarely use this type of rifle for training today.

Places to Train: Facilities

The HKSCC has many training units called "Training Ships" (TS). Even though they are called "ships," they are actually land-based training centers. Many of these centers are named after famous ships of the Royal Navy.

• TS Ark Royal - named after HMS Ark Royal
• TS Brilliant - named after HMS Brilliant
• TS Cornflower - named after HMS Cornflower
• TS Drake - named after HMS Drake
• TS Eternity
• TS Hero - named after HMS Hero
• TS King Ling
• TS Lightning - named after HMS Lightning
• TS Ma Ko Pan
• TS Mountbatten - named after Lord Louis Mountbatten, a former leader of the Royal Navy
• TS Nelson - named after HMS Nelson or Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson
• TS Neptune - named after HMS Neptune
• TS Royalist - named after HMS Royalist
• TS Somerset - named after HMS Somerset
• TS Unicorn - named after HMS Unicorn
• TS York - named after HMS York

Main Training Centers

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

Training Boat

• Supertee

Past Training Units

Some training units have been closed down over time. These include:

• TS Anson - named after HMS Anson
• TS Collingwood - named after HMS Collingwood
• TS Courageous - named after HMS Courageous
• TS Chatham - named after HMS Chatham
• TS Rodney - named after HMS Rodney
• TS Swallow - named after HMS Swallow (P242)
• TS Talent - named after HMS Talent
• TS Victory - named after HMS Victory
• TS Zulu - named after HMS Zulu

Special Recognition: Awards

The Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps gives out its own awards to its members. These awards are not part of the official government medals of Hong Kong. The medals and clasps look similar to those given by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.

Some of the awards include:

• Outstanding Cadet(s) of the Year
• Best Unit of the Year
• Cadet Force Medal (given before 1997)
• Hong Kong Sea Cadet Force Medal

See also

• Cadets (youth program)
• Hong Kong Adventure Corps
• Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps