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
ENS Jennifer Molloy - Executive Officer - Finance and Admin
ENS Matthew Molloy - Operations and Supply Officer
ENS Stacey Sullivan - Recruiting Officer
INSTR Derek St. Thomas - Health and Wellness Officer
Not pictured:
INSTR Brian Weaver - Public Affairs Officer
INSTR Edward Pagano - Training Officer
INSTR Nick Pastore - Medical Officer
INSTR Michael Rose - Asst. Operations Officer
AUX Visakh Sankar - Asst. Supply Officer
AUX Eric Lopez - Asst. Operations Officer
about our leading PETTY OFFICER
PO1 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 23 Community Service events with the Battalion. In Fall of 2022 she became a member of the Color Guard Team as well as a Squad Leader. LPO Molloy is also the recipient of the 2022 Daughters of the American Revolution Sea Cadet of the Year medal. An upcoming Junior in high school, she is a scholar-athlete, participating in soccer and softball while maintaining high honors.
about our ASSISTING LEADING PETTY OFFICER
PO2 Dante Ricciardi
A cadet since 2021, he has attended 11 trainings and has amassed 12 ribbons on his rack. He is extremely active with Community Service, attending 15 Community Service events with the Battalion and has moved through the ranks, from a League Cadet to a PO2 and now the Units ALPO. PO2 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. PO2 Ricciardi is also Advanced SCUBA Certified. He is heading into his freshman year in high school and is active in athletics, in both football and wrestling.
About our cadet staff
Squad Leaders:
PO2 - Nathan Weaver
PO3 - Aquinas Clancy
PO2 - John Havens III
PO3 - 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 team.
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.
About our color guard
PO1 - Amanda Molloy
PO2 - Dante Ricciardi
PO2 - Nathan Weaver
PO3 - Aquinas Clancy
SN - Alice Lai
Alternates:
SN - Karson Morrissey
PO3 - Ethan Sullivan
SN - Gabriel Lopez
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.
American Legion Post 278
119 Route 183
Stanhope, NJ 07874
973-347-5558
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.