Jasmine Heil a US Navy Sea Cadet

FALLBROOK — Jasmine Heil, daughter of Dave Heil and Lisa Hasler and granddaughter of Frank and Margie Hopkins of Fallbrook, has joined the US Navy Sea Cadets. She has been assigned to the Valley Forge Squadron, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA.

The Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) is for American youth ages 13 to 17 who have a desire to learn about the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. Sea Cadets are authorized by the Secretary of the Navy to wear Navy uniforms appropriately marked with the Sea Cadet Corps insignia. The objectives of the Sea Cadet program are to introduce youth to naval life; to develop in them a sense of pride, patriotism, courage and self-reliance; and to maintain an environment free of drugs and gangs.

The NSCC provides its cadets the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, build their character and become productive citizens.

Cadets who exhibit extraordinary initiative and leadership ability may participate in annual exchanges with Sea Cadet Corps around the world. Cadets get to meet their foreign counterparts, experience new cultures and see how the navies of the world operate.

In order to join the Naval Sea Cadet Corps applicants must: be between the ages of 13 and 17, be a US citizen, be in good health and pass a qualifying physical examination, be a full-time student and maintain satisfactory grades (2.00 grade point average) and be free of felony convictions. More information can be found at http://www.seacadets.org.

The squadron meets one weekend a month at the Camp Talega area of Camp Pendleton. Jasmine’s parents obtained information by contacting the squadron’s commanding officer, Lt. j. g. Andy Serrano, NSCC, by e-mail at [email protected].

Jasmine, an eigth grade student at Potter Junior High, is also active in Fallbrook Girls Softball League and church activities at Christ The King Lutheran Church.

“It’s really fun,” says Jasmine about the Sea Cadet program. “When I graduate from high school, I want to be a part of the US Navy or the US Air Force.”