Welcome Aboard Letter

Congratulations on your decision to apply to become a Cadet in the American Cadet Alliance (ACA)! You are joining thousands of young men and women who have accepted the challenge of being called “Naval Cadet,” “Marine Cadet” or “Army Cadet.” Founded in 1909, the ACA holds the distinction of being the oldest and longest-serving Cadet organization in the United States. Your decision to join the ACA reflects your dedication and commitment to your personal growth. As a member of the Corps of Cadets, wearing the uniform of the Navy, Marine Corps or Army, you are expected to follow the traditions, standards, customs and courtesies of our Armed Forces. The months ahead will be challenging and rewarding. Not everyone will make it to the point of being sworn in as a Recruit in the Naval Cadets, Marine Cadets or Army Cadets. Upon graduation from Recruit Orientation, you will have much ahead of you. Your training will begin with two weeks of Recruit Training (“Boot Camp”) this summer. After Recruit Training, you’ll have the opportunity to attend Advanced Training Programs ranging from advanced field skills to an International Exchange to time underway aboard a Naval vessel. Keep focused, work hard, and learn the Importance of teamwork as you go through Recruit Orientation. In a few months, you too will have become a member of the finest unit in the American Cadet Alliance!

The American Cadet Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit and non-political youth development organization dedicated to serving America's young men and women, ages 12-18. The primary purpose of the ACA is to instill traditional American values in young people, while combating juvenile delinquency, apathy and substance abuse. This is accomplished through the promotion of the military arts and sciences; character and physical development; and education in, and allegiance to, the Constitution of the United States. The ACA administers three distinct military-oriented courses of instruction. Each course closely parallels the training and discipline of the military branch for which it is named, i.e., Naval Cadets for the Navy, Marine Cadets for the Marine Corps and Army Cadets for the Army. ACA has the only joint-service Cadet Corps in the country. The Mission of the ACA is:

The Military Cadets of New Jersey (Headquarters Company) of the American Cadet Alliance (www.militarycadets.org) serves young men and women age 12-18 from throughout New Jersey. Our unit is a joint-service command, with Naval Cadets, Marine Cadets and Army Cadets all serving together.

Our Cadets are sharp, proud and dedicated! We are a program which is reserved for the most highly-motivated young people. To earn the title "Cadet," an applicant must successfully complete Recruit Training. Not everyone makes it...to become a member of our unit, you must have a burning desire to earn the privilege of wearing the uniform of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps or United States Army.

We are NOT a program for juvenile delinquents. All Prospective Cadets must be drug-free, crime-free and doing well in school. The ACA's core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment serve as the foundation of all activities and help to guide our Cadets through their daily lives.

The American Cadet Alliance offers equal opportunity to all American youth, regardless of race, color, religion or gender. Membership is open to young men and women, age 12-18, who meet the following qualifications:

Applying to become a Cadet is no small undertaking. Our standards are high and not every young person has what it takes to earn the title “Naval Cadet,” “Marine Cadet,” or “Army Cadet.” There is much to be done prior to even starting your 40 hours of Recruit Orientation Training.

You must complete your Cadet Application package - in its entirety - by your first drill. It must contain the following documents:

NOTE: The results of the Medical Examination must be on ACA Form 23; however, if you have had an examination conducted by your family physician within the past 60 days, you may have the information from your last examination transferred to the ACA form by your physician.

Currently, we drill one night a week at the Frederick A. Priff School and one weekend a month at the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation at Brookville. In addition, the unit oftentimes has some sort of activity each week. Examples of additional activities include:

Upon graduation from Recruit Orientation, you must maintain at least a 90% attendance record to maintain eligibility for the ACA Good Conduct Medal. Failing to attend 75% or more of the drills will result in Administrative Discharge from the Corps, with no future recommendations for enlistment in the Armed Forces. If you miss a drill, after graduation from Recruit Orientation, you may maintain your drill attendance percentage by participating in a Make-up Drill. A Make-up drill may be credited by participating in an approved optional ACA activity. Each drill weekend equals a total of four four-hour drill sessions, meaning you must complete 16 hours to make-up for a missed drill weekend. Under normal circumstances, all hands will muster on the Friday evening of a drill weekend at the entrance to the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation for in-processing. You must report in sufficient time so as to be in-processed by 7:00 pm (1900).

Operation of the unit is funded through annual enrollment fees, fund-raising and private and corporate donations. Enrollment fees cover registration and insurance with National Headquarters, insignia and awards, and unit administration. Below is a summary of enrollment fees:

The following chart shows what you will be issued and what you must purchase. All issued items are ACA property, and must be returned:

	ISSUED	PURCHASED
PHASE I	Canteen and web belt; camouflage cap, ball cap; green/brown T-shirt	None
PHASE II	Camouflage blouse; camouflage trousers; belt and buckle; ACA Patches	Nametapes and nametags; Combat boots; boot bands; 2 Brigade T-Shirt; ACA PT Shorts
PHASE III	Navy: Service Dress Blue and Dungarees Marines: Service Alpha Army: Class “A”	Dress shoes; shirt stays

All new Prospective Cadets for the Military Cadets of New Jersey must complete 40 hours of Recruit Orientation. Recruit Orientation is challenging…it’s meant to be. You will learn a great deal, sweat quite a bit, and learn the meaning of teamwork in a variety of challenging situations. Recruit Orientation is tough…it’s intended to be! The program is designed to ensure that you will

be able to fulfill the basic requirements of being a Cadet, while providing you with a taste of what this summer’s two-week Recruit Training (“Boot Camp”) will be like. You will be challenged to your limits. You will accomplish things that you may never have thought possible. We expect you to give us your best effort at all times. Remember the uniform that you wear carries a very long and proud tradition of service to our country and its principals…in our unit, wearing that uniform requires dedication and some serious sweat!

The 40 hours of Recruit Orientation will provide you with a basic understanding of what Recruit Training is like. During this introductory training, you will be provided a basic understanding of a number of basic military topics, including:

President’s Physical Fitness Challenge
Close Order Drill
History of the American Cadet Alliance
Chain of Command
Rack and Locker Drills
Uniform Wear and Care
Rank and Rate Recognition
Challenging and Passwords
Drug Demand Reduction
Military Time

Core Values of the Navy and Marine Corps
Core Values of the Army
Customs and Courtesies
Awards and Recognition
Rights and Responsibilities of a Cadet
Guard Duty and Physical Security
Americanism
Sexual Harassment
Team Building

The Prospective Cadets are challenged physically, mentally and emotionally. They are pushed hard and expected to perform. A Prospective Cadet who does not have a burning desire to become a Cadet will not make it through the program. A Prospective Cadet can “Drop on Request” (DOR) at any time.

As a Prospective Cadet successfully completes each phase of the Recruit Orientation program, they are recognized by earning the privilege of wearing part of the uniform. Completing Phase I results in the presentation of the uniform T-shirt, which is worn along with the Prospective Cadet’s blue jeans. Completion of the entire Recruit Orientation Course results in the honor of wearing the ACA modified service uniform of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps or U.S. Army.

On our first Drill Night and the beginning of Phase I drill applicants will be tested on the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge < http://www.indiana.edu/~preschal/ >. Those applicants who cannot pass the minimum fitness standards (attached) will be required to return home. You must practice for this test if you want to be a Recruit. If you fail the physical fitness test, you can re-apply at a later date.

If you are looking for something “easy,” there are other programs. Becoming a Cadet in the American Cadet Alliance, is a privilege reserved for those young men and women who have a strong desire to learn – through first hand experience – the core values of HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT. It won’t be easy, and not all will make it…but those who do will have much to be proud of!

Your choice of brigades – Marine or Army is based on a number of factors. First off, your level of interest and motivation play a big part in determining which uniform you will wear, and thus, what type of training you will receive. The most difficult brigade to be selected for is the Marine Brigade. To become a Marine Cadet, you must pass the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge at the National level; maintain a “High and Tight” haircut at all times, regardless of the Brigade all Cadets must have exceptional military bearing.

This unit is run by “Non-paid Professionals”…that means volunteers. For this unit to be successful, we must have the dedicated support of all parents. If you have a military background, or even if you don’t have a military background but have a desire to provide leadership in the program, please let us know. While we encourage parents to apply for an appointment as instructor or uniformed officer, there are many opportunities available to help the unit. Everyone has strengths that can be used to advance the unit, be it phone committees, fund raising, planning trips, special skills they can teach the Cadets, transportation, etc. Please let us know what area you would like to help with. This does not mean that you will be working with the Cadets on military issues. These are the “behind the scenes” things that must be done. We must have at least two adults available at each drill to help supervise mess detail (meals), provide extra adult supervision, and other duties that are necessary to the smooth operation of the drill. You need to be prepared to sign-up to attend a drill from beginning to end, meaning 7pm Friday until 4 pm Sunday. With each family participating, the adult requirements for drill attendance come around approximately once a quarter. This reduces the undue stress of a small amount of parents providing all the work in the Unit.

I look forward to welcoming everyone aboard, prospective Cadets and Parents. I hope this has covered any information that you may have missed at our recruiting meeting. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me @ 732-840-4500.