New Entry (NE). When you first join the Sea Cadets, if you are over 12, or when you turn 12 and were a junior, you will become a New Entry. New Entries have no uniform, but are expected to turn up looking neat and tidy.

Cadet (Cdt). On passing a simple exam, a NEs can be advanced to Cdt rate, where they will be issued with two uniforms: best uniform and working rig.

Ordinary Cadet (OC). On passing another exam, and gaining 8 points, the Cadet can be advanced to OC.

Able Cadet (AC). To reach this rate, you will have to pass another exam and the SCC swimming test. You will also need 15 points. By now the cadets should be a responsible member of the unit as a whole, and should be fairly knowledgeable about the Corps and its training. In some units it may be required to teach other cadets.

Leading Cadet (LC). You must: be at least 15 years old; have 30 points; hold a pulling (i.e.rowing) coxswain certificate; have your CO's recommendation; and you may be required to attend a leadership course. Then you can take your LC's board, which is a (normally) weekend-long series of tests and interviews, to assess your suitability. If you pass, you become one of the senior cadets. You will probably teach other cadets a lot of the time, and may be in charge of a section of the unit.

Petty Officer Cadet (POCdt) is the highest rate a cadet can be and naturally has even tougher requirements. You must be over 16 years old, have 60 points, have your CO's recommendation, and do a POCdt board, which is similar to the LC's board but goes into much more detail. As a POCdt you are entitled, if you wish, to wear all gold badges instead of red ones on your best uniform, and again get epaulettes and a badge for your white fronts (males only). As a POCdt you will certainly teach cadets and will normally hold a position in the unit, such as stores assistant or training assistant §.

Civilian Instructor (CI). Any adult who is prepared to give up their free time to assist with teaching cadets will normally start out as a Civilian Instructor.CIs have no uniform, but should be addressed by cadets as Sir/Ma'am or by their name and title. After 9 months they may apply to become a uniformed member of staff and join the Unit as a PPO.

Probationary Petty Officer (PPO). If a cadet reaches POCdt at the age of 18 then the next stage is advancement to PPO, on recommendation from the CO and District Officer. The member of staff receives best and working uniforms

Petty Officer (PO). Once being advanced to PPO, a member of staff has three years in which they must complete a week long course known as a PO (qualifying) or PO (Q) course.

Chief Petty Officer (CPO). After a number of years as a PO, it is possible to be promoted to Chief. This involves another course. Chiefs wear their specialisation badges on their collar rather than on their right sleeve.

Warrant Officer (WO). There is one Warrant Officer per area (six in total).

Sub Lieutenant (SLt) is the lowest of the commissioned ranks available in the Sea Cadet Corps, and can be attained from the rank of PO or CPO after a period of time.

Lieutenant (Lt). After a certain length of time serving as a SLt. an officer may be promoted to Lt.

Lieutenant Commander (LtCdr). To be promoted to LtCdr,. an officer has to be either a District Officer, or CO of a very large unit. LtCdr. is the highest rank a Sea Cadet Officer can achieve §.