The Naval Sea Cadet Corps has maintained a consistent presence in Arizona since 1963.  The first Sea Cadet unit, the ARIZONA Division was one of the longest continually running units in the United States until it was decommissioned in 2005.  The Phoenix Division  has always supported a Navy League presence and was sister unit to the Phil D. Buck Training Ship, named after the late first Commanding Officer of the Phoenix Division.  The Phil D. Buck Training Ship moved its unit to the Phoenix Naval Reserve Center in 2004 and from its cadets and staff chartered the Veteran’s Pride Battalion and Training Ship.  The Battleship ARIZONA Training Ship was named and commissioned in March of 2006 to honor those who sacrificed their lives on that fateful ship in 1941 and to recognize the long standing tradition of the Naval Sea Cadet Program in Arizona. 

The Battleship Arizona has been a Top 10 unit in the nation since it’s inception in 2006.  In 2008 the unit was awarded the Morgan L. Fitch Jr. Trophy for being the best NLCC Training Ship in the Nation for the 2007 inspection year.

Navy League Cadets are instructed by both Sea Cadet Officers and senior Sea Cadets through classroom and applied instruction in subjects such as basic seamanship, military drill, and leadership. Each year all the cadets from throughout our region (Arizona and New Mexico) hold competitions where training ships and companies compete with each other to test their seamanship and military skills.

The training and skills that we learn at this level are very similar to those of the Sea Cadet program but are designed to meet the needs of the 10-13 year old age group.  For example, the physical fitness requirements are based on the Presidential Council for physical fitness and are tested based on age and gender.

Our motto is:

“If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right!”

Come do it right with us today!