About The NSCC

The NSCC is a federally chartered program sponsored by the Navy and Coast Guard. Congress provides funding to support national trainings and reduce costs to cadets, and the Military supports the NSCC by providing free or reduced costs to host training programs. Many units are hosted by local military bases which provides them space to train, and many military personnel assist in the training.

Our unit was started in February 1995 in Lake Charles by James Dodd and his son Michael. By summer time they had 6 cadets and By October they had the 25 cadets necessary to officially become a unit. The unit was commissioned “Chennault Division” on November 9, 1995.

We are officially sponsored by the American Legion Post 1, Lake Charles.

Our current numbers are 12 cadets, 5 officers and 7 auxiliaries, many of our staff served in the Military.

Our current drill location is at American Legion, Post. We typically meet 2 Saturdays each month from 8am to 1430, with occasional overnight drills.

We teach Navy and Coast Guard to kids 10‐17.  We provide and attend a variety of trainings related to the military and many of those trainings are on military installations, including Louisiana National Guard bases.  These trainings include jobs cadets would perform if they were to join the service, including STEM and Cyber related jobs.

Locally: we provide STEM, marching, small arms, leadership and many other local trainings on weekends as well as volunteer to help at events such as the Chennault Air Show and Harbor Hospice Butterfly Release.

Shooting Sports:  Our unit participates in a shooting sports program sponsored by the American Legion and also provides small arms training and qualifications using the US Navy regulations.  We often receive support from local law enforcement and firing ranges.

Community Service: Cadets in our unit are strongly encouraged to perform Community Service, especially service to our Veteran Community. We visit the Jennings Veterans Home and participate in ceremonies with the American Legion and the VFW, as well as volunteer for wounded warrior events and other local veteran’s programs.

Color Guard: Our unit is often sought out to perform at community events such as the Harbor Hospice butterfly release, Women’s Conference and Veterans Day ceremonies as well as many of the Mardi Gras balls in the area.

Advanced Training: Our cadets participate in weeklong trainings all over the US.  Leadership academy’s, sailing, coast guard vessels, Special Ops, Culinary, Aviation, and many others. Our unit also assists the Region in sponsoring Recruit Training, Petty Officer Leadership and other Advanced Trainings for Sea and League Cadets. These trainings last anywhere from 5‐14 days.  Our cadets participate in the trainings as well as staff them as “Staff Cadets” and assist in training other cadets from across the US.

Our Connection:  Many of our members who complete the program, go on to careers in every branch of the military. Most recently, our graduates went on to college, Louisiana National Guard, and three enlisted in the Navy. One of our former members just signed to play football for the Air Force.  We have had past members who are now officers in the Navy. Our program benefits them in many ways. Not only are they introduced to military life and leadership, many branches will allow them to enlist at an advanced paygrade. Those who enlist in the Navy earn E‐3 right out of boot camp.

Without the support of the community our unit would not exist.  Thanks to Calcasieu parish, Starks VFD, Sulphur Armed Forces Committee, VFW, American Legion and many other organizations and citizens in the community, we are able to provide a quality program to kids in SWLA and SETX.