About the battalion
We are the Travis Manion Battalion of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corp (USNSCC). Our main base of operations is the Homeland Defense Technology Center at Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ.
Our Unit was ranked 1st in the Nation out of over 450 Sea Cadet Units
and was selected as the John J. Bergen Award winner for 2023!
It is the first time in USNSCC history a Unit from New Jersey took home that honor!
The Battalion consists of over 40 cadets, both male and female, consisting of Sea Cadets and League Cadets. The Battalion trains the cadets on military bearing with an emphasis on drilling, U.S. Navy history and physical fitness. Our focus is to create the next generation of great leaders whether for the military or private sector. We also create experiences for the cadets to learn about military and maritime history and are actively involved in Community Service.
The Travis Manion Battalion is comprised of cadets from Morris, Sussex, Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Union, Hunterdon, Warren and Somerset Counties in New Jersey.
We were formed as a Battalion because we are associate with the Mobile Construction Battalions of the United States Navy or SEABEES.
About 1St Lt. Travis Manion, Usmc
The Travis Manion Battalion is named in honor of 1st Lt. Travis Manion United States Marine Corps. “1st Lt. Travis Manion made the ultimate sacrifice in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. He, his fellow Marines, and Iraqi Army counterparts were ambushed while searching a suspected insurgent house. 1st Lt. Manion led the counterattack against the enemy forces. He was fatally wounded by an enemy sniper while aiding and drawing fire away from his wounded comrades. His selfless actions allowed every member of his patrol to survive. For his actions, he was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor.”
Learn more about Travis and his life of service at www.travismanion.org which was created to honor Travis and to carry on his motto, “If Not Me Then Who”, to the next generation.
about Our command staff
Our staff is made up of adult volunteers who dedicate their time to mentor and train the cadets within the battalion.
LTJG Peter Ricciardi - Commanding Officer
LTJG Jennifer Molloy - Executive Officer - Finance and Admin
ENS Matthew Molloy - Operations and Supply Officer
INSTR Brian Weaver - Public Affairs Officer
INSTR Edward Pagano - Asst. Supply Officer
INSTR Michael Rose - Asst. Operations Officer
INSTR Dee Huang - Asst. Admin
INSTR Manda Perrone
AUX Nicholas Pastore - Medical Officer
Not pictured:
ENS Stacey Sullivan - Recruiting Officer
AUX Visakh Sankar
about our CHIEF PETTY OFFICER
CPO Amanda Molloy
A Sea Cadet since February of 2022, who has steadily moved through the ranks, attending 12 trainings, for which she was Honor Cadet for her Color Guard Training and Honor Staff Cadet for NLO. Her military bearing is on point and she is extremely active within her community, attending 32 Community Service events, totaling 182 volunteer hours with the Battalion. In Fall of 2022 she became a member of the Color Guard Team, having participated in 26 Color Guard events since that time. A Junior in high school, she is a scholar-athlete, participating in soccer and softball while also being a member of the National Honor Society. CPO Molloy is also the recipient of the 2022 Daughters of the American Revolution Sea Cadet of the Year Medal as well as the 2024 VFW Naval Sea Cadet Medal.
about our LEADING PETTY OFFICER
PO1 Dante Ricciardi
A cadet since 2021, he has attended 11 trainings and has amassed 14 ribbons on his rack. He is extremely active with Community Service, attending 22 Community Service events, totaling 128 volunteer hours with the Battalion. PO1 Ricciardi has steadily moved through the ranks, from a League Cadet to a PO1 and now the Units LPO. PO1 Ricciardi is a proven leader within the Battalion, with years of Sea Cadet experience and solid military bearing. He is also a senior member of the Units Color Guard Team, having completed multiple Color Guard Advanced Trainings. PO1 Ricciardi is also Advanced SCUBA Certified. He is in his freshman year in high school and is active in athletics, in both football and wrestling. LPO Ricciardi is also the recipient of the 2024 Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Medal.
About our cadet staff
Squad Leaders:
PO2 - Nathan Weaver
PO2 - Aquinas Clancy
PO1 - John Havens III
PO2 - Robert Niesmertelny - not pictured
About our MAA
SN Christopher Lista
SN Lista has been a member of the Battalion since August of 2022. He graduated MAA training in the summer of 2024 from the Central Kentucky Training Command and was named the Battalions MAA . SN Lista is a Junior in high school and is scholar-athlete, achieving high honors while playing for the Varsity football and baseball teams.
About our corpsman
SN Alyssa Cardona
SN Cardona has been a member of the Battalion since February of 2023. She graduated medical training in the summer of 2024 from the Central Kentucky Training Command and was named Honor Cadet . SN Cardona is a Senior in high school and an avid basketball player. In her spare time she likes to ride quads and is a volunteer for her local EMS. SN Cardona was awarded the Navy League of the United States Teddy Roosevelt Medal as the Battalion's Sea Cadet of the year for 2024.
About our color guard
CPO - Amanda Molloy
PO1 - Dante Ricciardi
PO2 - Nathan Weaver
PO2 - Aquinas Clancy
SN - Alice Lai
Alternates:
PO3 - Karson Morrissey
PO2 - Ethan Sullivan
If you are interested in having our Color Guard present the Colors at your next ceremony, parade or special event, please contact Ensign Matthew Molloy at mmolloy@seacadets.org
About OUR SPONSOR
Our Battalion is proudly sponsored by the American Legion Post 278. Through their generous support the Battalion is able to outfit our cadets and create memorable training experiences. The Post has also graciously provided their facility for our yearly inspections as well as our year end graduation ceremony. The Battalion is also very active with the events that are supported by Post 278 including their Memorial Day Parade, Wreaths Across America, Decoration Day as well as the American Legion Pilgrimage to High Point Monument each year, amongst other events. We are truly thankful for the relationship we have forged with American Legion Post 278!
American Legion Post 278
119 Route 183
Stanhope, NJ 07874
973-347-5558
About OUR PARTNERS
The Travis Manion Foundation North Jersey Chapter has partnered with our Battalion to both teach and mentor our cadets with their "Character Does Matters" program as well as get our cadets involved in their charitable activities, Giving back to the community is a big focus of what we do as a Unit.
The Travis Manion Foundation strives to unite and strengthen communities by training, developing, and highlighting the role models that lead them. We develop programs, training opportunities, and events designed to empower veterans and families of the fallen, and then inspire them to pass on their values to the next generation and the community at large.
The New Jersey Council of the Navy League of the United States has recently partnered with the Travis Manion Battalion. Through this partnership the Battalion will be more actively involved in the NLUS mission to support active duty Navy and Coast Guard personnel. We will volunteer and work events as they request and manpower allows, again giving back to the armed forces community which relates specifically to our Units commitment to volunteerism.
It will also open up a path for our cadets to get behind the scenes opportunities to work with and learn from active duty personnel. Both on base as well as in the water with both Coast Guard and Navy personnel.
The NLUS also awards annually the Battalions League Cadet and Sea Cadet of the Year with the Teddy Roosevelt medal.
About the United States Naval sea cadet corps.
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a program for young people age 13 through 17 and was federally chartered by the Congress on September 10th 1962 under Public Law 87-655 as a non-profit civilian educational organization. (Mature 10 through 13 year olds may join as Naval League Cadets.)
Objectives of the NSCC are: "(1) To develop an appreciation for our Navy's history, customs, traditions, and its significant role in national defense; (2) To develop a sense of pride in our nation, positive qualities of patriotism, courage, self-reliance, confidence, pride in workmanship and seamanship skill, and other attributes which will contribute to development of strong moral character and good citizenship traits; and (3) To present the advantages and prestige of a military career, and to increase the potential for advancement of those cadets who may wish to join the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Merchant Marine."
The NSCC allows young people to sample military life without any obligation to join any branch of the Armed Forces. Should a cadet decide to enlist in either the Navy or Marine Corps, his or her cadet record may permit enlistment at an advanced pay grade. In addition, scholarship grants are available to qualified cadets (and former cadets) who are pursuing studies at the college level. Cadets are authorized to wear a Navy uniform distinctively modified with NSCC insignia.
Please Note: A medical examination similar to a high school sports physical is required for all cadet applicants . No one will be denied admission to the NSCC/NLCC due to a medical disability. Adult applicants must be in good health commensurate with their age group and be free from any ailment or condition that would prevent them from satisfactorily performing their primary duty of supervising youth.