Welcome, Aboard!

We are proud to announce that the Top Hatters Squadron was awarded the John J. Bergen Trophy for the most outstanding Naval Sea Cadet Corp Unit in the nation for 2005! Our unit is located on Naval Station Norfolk which is the world's largest naval base for the United States. The motto of our unit is, "Training Today's Youth for Tomorrow's Navy!"

Our Mission

Thank you for your interest in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and the Top Hatters Squadron. We are a non-profit youth organization sponsored by the U.S. Navy League, Hampton Roads Council, and operate with the support of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. Our goals are to educate young people about the maritime sea services while building self-esteem, patriotism, and leadership skills. Our Cadets are not obligated to join the military, but those that do will benefit from our program. All Cadets get to wear a modified Navy uniform, train aboard ships and stations, go to boot camp, and other advanced trainings in the summer. The adult staff of Top Hatters Squadron is comprised of civilian, active duty, and retired military volunteers. We would like to encourage all young people between the ages of 11 and 17 years old to take a closer look at the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and what we have to offer. We provide young people with a drug-free, smoke-free and anti-gang atmosphere.

History

We were Commissioned on March 25, 1964, after our namesake VF-14, Top Hatters Squadron which was based at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va. They are the oldest commissioned squadron in the United States Navy, close to 90 years old. Likewise, we are one of the oldest Naval Sea Cadet Units in commission, being over 40 years old, so like our namesake our unit is steeped in tradition.