LINN  —  Lane McKim, 14, of Linn, recently earned Cadet of the Year honors from the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps after stepping up to handle duties above and beyond his station.

“Cadet Lane McKim’s selection was based upon great teamwork, service to the community, positive attitude, and his ability to be an example for his peers,” said Thomas Jefferson Division Commanding Officer Lt. Regina Hall in presenting the award. “A relatively new cadet, he is a rising star among a constellation of excellent cadets.”

Seaman Apprentice McKim holds the position of Second Supply Cadet under Petty Officer Cooper Brady, who recruited the Linn freshman.

However, his introduction to the Sea Cadets didn’t begin there. He and his mother, Karla, were checking out at a store and began speaking with a woman they believed was related to Lt. Hall.

“She told us about a program in Jeff City for kids 10 through 18. We checked it out, and I went to the recruitment center,” said McKim. “I met Cooper, and he told me about the program and opportunities I would have.”

McKim is considering entering the military, but one thing about the Sea Cadets he appreciates is the diversity of those involved.

“Our CO last year is a staff sergeant in the Marines,” he said. “He was in the Sea Cadets when he was my age and has been involved with the Sea Cadets for 14 years.

“You don’t have to go into the Navy,” McKim continued. “But if you want to enter the Navy, there’s a neat part of the Sea Cadets. If you graduate as a chief petty officer or higher, I believe you’re more likely to have a promotion to E-3 or E-2 after getting out of naval basic training or the Naval Academy.”

After completing the Sea Cadets’ version of basic training, McKim wondered if military life was the right fit.

“I love it, though,” he added. “It’s super cool. Our unit is mostly made up of former Army, and there used to be a lot of Marines.”

The Sea Cadets meet one weekend a month at Ike Skelton Training Facility, the National Guard base in Jeff City. However, some drills are different. “In May, we’ll have our annual FTX (field training exercise), and it’s an amazing thing,” said McKim. “You get to dress up in different uniforms. I’m gonna be dressing in BDUs, an old Navy uniform. And I’m going to have a plate carrier and fast helmet with a bunch of attachments that I will try to get. Overall, it’s a fun experience: three days where you just camp out.”

Last time, the cadets got caught in a tornado, which McKim said was pretty fun. “We were all in our skipper’s garage because we had muddy boots we couldn’t go in,” he said, noting the cadets stayed with Lt. Hall at her farm near Vienna.

McKim and his fellow Sea Cadets took part in other training. “We learned different aspects of breaching and clearing rooms and night operations,” he said. “It’s just a cool thing we got to do.”

In June, the unit will travel to Colorado for training with the former commanding officer, who moved there. The cadets will also go to the Lake of the Ozarks in August for three days of swimming and seamanship training at the Lake Area Recreation Center.

McKim hopes to advance in rank soon. He explained coursework must be completed, along with advanced training. After those are done, cadets have to wait six months before earning the next rank.

“You can stockpile coursework and advanced training,” said McKim.

As a Seaman Apprentice, McKim is an E-2, a step above Seaman Recruit (E-1). He’s moving toward E-3 (Seaman), after which he will pursue E-4 (Petty Officer, Third Class), E-5 (Petty Officer, Second Class), E-6 (Petty Officer, First Class), and E-7 (Chief Petty Officer). Beyond that rank, for those 18 and older, is Midshipman.

“I know a seaman who’s already done his chief coursework,” said McKim. “I also know a petty officer who’s already starting on his Midshipman coursework. That’s considered an officer.”

While doing well on his assigned duties, McKim stood out for a couple of reasons.

“While Cooper Brady was gone, I stepped up for supply and helped a squad because we have a sheet that you’re supposed to give to your squad leader,” McKim explained. “A squad leader is supposed to go in and get all the supply stuff and write it down on a piece of paper — who’s it from and what they need — then the squad leader brings it, and we’ll give it to them. Brady and our petty officer weren’t there, so I stepped up, and I brought them their sheet. I’m in a different squad. I took charge, I guess, even as low a rank as I am. I guess that showed a lot of leadership.”

Another consideration was how he treated a fellow cadet who was having a tough time being away from home during basic training.

“It mimics boot camp,” said McKim. “It’s not the same, of course, but it was pretty close.”

During the two-week training, McKim noticed a 13-year-old fellow cadet starting to lose it.

“He’s known for being a little shy,” said McKim. “He’s in our unit, too, and he’s an amazing kid. He’s always tended to cry and be skittish. We were in a prayer circle, and I heard him start to cry. I put my arm around him just as a kind of instinct reaction. I said, ‘It’s okay, dude, you’re going to get through this. Jesus loves you.’ He calmed down.”

Karla said there is no contact with parents when cadets are at basic. The only updates they receive come from videos shared by Lt. Hall.

McKim’s actions were clearly visible, and Sea Cadets staff quickly praised the gesture. “To see that video and watch him embrace that kid was special,” said Thomas Jefferson Division Admin ENS Anicka Oyen. “He offered comfort to a struggling cadet, voiced his faith, and didn’t give up.”

McKim has also earned the “Squared Away” award twice.

Youths 10-12 can participate in a version of the program designed for their age and abilities.

“They’re doing what we went through, but it’s a scaled-down version because they’re kids,” said McKim. “Some of them will do cool stuff. They can’t go to advanced training, but they can go to Petty Officer Leadership Academy.

In addition to youths, the Sea Cadets welcome adult volunteers, even those without a military background.

Karla noted that volunteers handle cooking and photography, as well as a host of other duties.

McKim said he’s proud to be a Sea Cadet. “It’s a cool program, and all the people are very nice,” he said. “I want a lot of credit to everyone who got me there.”

He added that his family is very supportive of his involvement in Sea Cadets, and he appreciates the opportunities the program provides.

For more information, visit www.seacadets.org.