Just months after Henry County School students learn they will no longer have a Navy ROTC program, a new possibility emerges.

The Navy has offered to provide the school system with a free alternative to keep those children interested in the program involved.

During a meeting Thursday, where students heard about the Sea Cadet Program for the first time, emotions were high.

An alternative, not a replacement to the NJROTC program; that’s what the Sea Cadets are looking to bring to Henry County Schools.

Commanding Officer Michael Hearn with the US Navy said, "It's just one weekend a month. They start about 8:30 in the morning and they continue throughout the night and they release about 2-3 Sunday."

It’s a stark change from the five-day a week classes students were used to with the NJROTC program.

After a failed tax and lack of community support, school officials are thankful to have at least some program for these students.

Henry County Schools Superintendent Dennis Coe said, "These kids may not be the jocks or cheerleaders, but they have a niche in NJROTC that they feel apart of and they enjoy the discipline. This gives those kids an outlet that they can be involved in."

The Sea Cadet program offers many of the same opportunities as the NJROTC program; still many students have mixed emotions about the program.

NJROTC Participant Chelsea Crawford said, "Personally, I am not going to join Sea Cadets. I've gone so far with ROTC that Sea Cadets couldn't compare."

Abbeville High School Sophomore Zanetta Horn said, "I think it's a great opportunity for kids in ROTC to join it because you know we are losing it."

Money is another obstacle the program will face.

Superintendent Coe said, "Initially, they are saying there is a sign up cost o f $250 dollars, but as a board we are paying more than 3k per student. I will be in discussion with the board about some type of matching grant funding to allow the children to participate."

Abbeville High School Freshman Hunter Watford said, "Some of these people can't pay as much as others; and, it is for a lot of people a lot of money."

Students will have to make a commitment to the program by April of 2010 in order to participate in the program this summer.

The Sea Cadet Program is an option more school systems are being forced to consider as they're finding themselves working with smaller budgets.

The Henry County School Board was presented with this Sea Cadet Program Thursday night and will now consider if they can feasibly fund at least some of the program.