All-Girl Navy Cadet Corps to Defend Title

The only all-female unit of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Encino’s Betsy Ross Division, will defend its title Saturday against Southern California’s mostly male divisions in the annual Flagship Competition on San Diego’s Coronado Island.

The yearly regional championship provides an opportunity for youths from 10 to 18 to demonstrate their maritime skills by tying nautical knots, heaving lines, sprinting 50 yards with a stretcher and using fire hoses to knock over distant targets.

The Cadet Corps was established in 1958 by the Navy League to teach younger Americans the basics of seamanship, watch-standing, firefighting, celestial and instrument navigation, boating, electronics and other nautical skills. The program has 260 units nationwide.

The 24-member Betsy Ross Division meets Monday evenings at Encino’s Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center. Commanding Officer Rick Morrissette, the division’s coordinator for three years, said he has watched the girls mature into young women as they learn the importance of teamwork. But, he said, the division’s ethnic diversity provides the most important lesson. “To have a group of girls from different races helps them learn from and about each other,” he said.

To qualify, a cadet must be enrolled in school, have parental permission, pass a physical exam and be able to read English.

Saturday’s competition on the naval base on Coronado Island is open to the public, but arriving before 7:30 a.m. is recommended.

For information, call (818) 344-3415 on Monday evenings.