United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps

Warrior Division

 

 

 

Standard Operating Procedure #2 – Attendance Policy and Procedures

 

1.      Attendance is mandatory.

2.      This policy applies to cadets, midshipmen, instructors seeking advancement, and officers.

3.      Without the presence of Naval Sea Cadet Corps personnel, the squadron ceases to function. Shipmates expect each other to be available for drills. The tradition of the sea and the United States sea services is that all personnel are present except during periods of authorized leave or stand-down. This expectation is carried to the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

4.      The personnel in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps (cadets, officers, and instructors) often have other activities that could possibly take them away from their duties. This is to be expected among a group of highly motivated, achieving individuals such as one finds in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps. Recognizing that non-repeatable important conflicts occasionally are unavoidable, the Naval Sea Cadet Corps has established a 75% minimum attendance rate. Missing more than 75% of drills over the previous 12 months is cause for termination from the program.

5.      The drill weekend is composed of four parts or “drills”. The 1^st is the time before chow of Saturday, the 2^nd is the time after chow of Saturday, the 3^rd is the time before chow on Sunday, and the 4^th / final time is after chow on Sunday. Personnel must be present at the muster in the time slot to receive credit. For example, a cadet is absent Saturday morning because of an urgent commitment, but is able to be present at the afternoon muster and all musters on Sunday. The cadet is therefore given credit for having attended 3 of 4 drills.

6.      The cause of absence is “no-fault”, that is, there are no valid or invalid excuses. An excuse, if given, is, however, noted on the muster and may be considered if disciplinary action is later warranted. Examples of excuses to be considered for leniency are: funerals, debilitating illness or injury, unique and important family or school events for which the individuals’ participation is required. Examples of excuses not to be considered include minor illnesses, repeated athletic events, vacations, occasions, which could be scheduled at a different time, etc.

7.      All absences, and especially pre-planned absences, must be reported to the individuals’ immediate supervisor. Normally this is done by telephone prior to the drill weekend. If the immediate supervisor is unavailable, the next person(s) in the chain of command is to be contacted while continuing effort to contact the immediate supervisor is made. For cadets, the supervisor must report attendance results to the Master-at-Arms, who then submits the results to the Operations Officer via the Lead Petty Officer. All others report directly to the Executive Officer. The Operations Officer will submit results to the Administrative Officer.

8.      The Administrative Officer prepares the necessary form of enrolled personnel. This form is used to record muster. The completed form is reviewed by the Operations Officer and submitted for retention to the Administrative Officer.

9.      For personnel absent without leave, the cadet senior staff and officer staff will try to contact the person so that a reason for the absence and anticipated arrival can be ascertained.