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.
ENS Manda Perrone - Commanding Officer
ENS Stacey Sullivan - Executive Officer - Recruiting Officer
ENS Michael Rose - Operations Officer
ENS Dee Huang - Asst. Supply Officer
INSTR Jason Peller - Finance Officer
INSTR Patricia Donovan
AUX Nicholas Pastore - Medical Officer
LTJG Jennifer Molloy
LTJG Matthew Molloy
about our LEADING PETTY OFFICER
PO2 Karson Morrissey
A Sea Cadet since February of 2023, he has steadily moved through the ranks, through hard work and determination. His military bearing is always on point and he is a great teacher and mentor to our youngest cadets. He is extremely active within his community, attending 25 Community Service events, totaling 111 volunteer hours with the Battalion. He is also a senior member of the Color Guard Team, having participated in 20 Color Guard events since joining the team.
about our ASSISTANT LEADING PETTY OFFICER
PO1 Alice Lai
A cadet since September of 2023, she has attended 9 trainings, where he has held a leadership role at 2 of them. She most recently attended the United States Naval Academy's Summer Seminar. She is extremely active with Community Service, attending 25 Community Service events, totaling 105 volunteer hours with the Battalion. She is also a senoir member of the Battalions Color Guard Team, logging 24 events over the last 2 years.
About our corpsman
PO1 Meghna Sankar
PO1 Sankar has been a member of the Battalion since August of 2022. She graduated medical training in the summer of 2025 and has assumed the role of the Battalion's Corpsman. She is a Sophomore in high school and is a first degree black belt in Taekwondo.
About our color guard
CPO - Amanda Molloy
CPO - Aquinas Clancy
PO1 - Alice Lai
PO2 - Karson Morrissey
PO1 - Ethan Sullivan
PO1 - Michael Rose
PO2- Nathaniel Torres
PO1 - Brandon Dezuzio
If you are interested in having our Color Guard present the Colors at your next ceremony, parade or special event, please contact LTJG 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.
Our Unit is based at the Homeland Defense Technology Center at Picatinny Arsenal. Picatinny Arsenal is an American military research and manufacturing facility located on 6,400 acres of land in Jefferson and Rockaway Townships in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, encompassing Picatinny Lake and Lake Denmark. The Arsenal is the headquarters of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center. It is known for developing the ubiquitous Picatinny rail, as well as being the Army's center of expertise for small arms cartridge ammunition.
Our relationship has grown with them throughout the years and has culminated in strong bonds between our Battalion and the Picatinny Arsenal Fire and Rescue Squad, the US Marines and their Toys for Tots program as well as the leadership of the Army Garrison based there who have spent time, mentoring our cadets. We are thankful for all their support they provide us, both with the facility and their incredible resources for training.
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.