Sea Org
Envisioned as the Church of Scientology's private navy, the Sea Organization is supposedly an elite special force. Many of the staff at the various Scientology Centers and missions around the globe are members of the Sea Org.
The Sea Org is charged with "clearing this sector," or more clearly stated, to rid this area of the universe of any traumas that may be bothering the residents, as well as freeing the ghosts of aliens trapped in every human's body. Its members sign a billion year contract, because they are expected to return after their reincarnations and continue working for the Sea Org, as per their motto Revenimus, latin for "We Come Back."
What is the Sea Org?
The Sea Organization (“Sea Org”) is a uniformed cadre of members who form the central structure of the Church of Scientology. L. Ron Hubbard founded the Sea Org (originally the Sea Project) during his time aboard a ship in the Mediterranean.
The Sea Org's organizational structure is an odd mixture of military and corporate management styles, with staff members living in army-like conditions, receiving boot-camp type punishments for misdeeds, and holding militaristic titles within the organization. Set apart from and above other staff members, they have authority to move in and take command of any Scientology organization. Members are also placed in key staff positions at various Scientology organizations around the world, thereby keeping ostensibly independent units under the ultimate control of David Miscavige at the international base in Hemet, California.
Some members are recruited as young as twelve years of age; even these youngest Sea Org members work long hours, are paid a pittance, have few liberties and are subject to strict discipline such as the RPF. Ex-Sea Org members who worked at the international base have spoken of other, more violent methods of discipline, such as being slapped and beaten up, as well as being thrown into a lake on the premises.
Members of the Sea Org are not allowed to have children, as they would not be able to perform their duties adequately with such a distraction. This has lead to strong internal pressure for female Sea Org members who become pregnant to have abortions. When child labor law enforcement was more lax, children of Sea Org members would be raised in dorms from the age of six to twelve with only weekly parental contact. After the age of twelve, they rarely saw their parents at all.
Billion Year Contract?!
Members of the Sea Org sign an employment contract with a term of one billion years. In accordance with Scientology beliefs, members are expected to return to the Sea Org after the death of their “meat body” and their subsequent rebirth. The Sea Org motto is "Revenimus", Latin for "We Come Back". Children as young as 12 are expected to sign this document.
Official statements from the Church of Scientology contend the contract is merely symbolic of the dedication members are expected to hold to the organization, and that members are free to leave if they wish. It has been alleged by former Sea Org personnel that members are restricted from leaving. Members who do leave are issued a "freeloader's bill", retroactively billing them for any auditing or training they have received in lieu of pay or employment benefits during their employment. Ironically, these “perks” are often used to entice public Scientologists to join the Sea Org.
What is the Freewinds?
The Freewinds is a Scientology owned ship where the highest training levels in Scientology are delivered. During an internal rebuild in 2008, the ship's owners failed to inform contractors about the presence of blue asbestos, exposing Polish workers from Nordica Engineering to the dangerous carcinogen, and triggering threats of lawsuits. Ship inspectors from the DNV noted some balancing and fire protection violations after the internal rebuild; the violations now appear to have been corrected. The danger from the asbestos has allegedly been properly abated, but Scientologists who worked as volunteers on previous rebuilds should seek medical attention, especially if they could be observed hacking and chewing into a blue porous material.
What is the RPF?
The Rehabilitation Project Force (“RPF”), is a system of labor camps set up by the Church of Scientology's Sea Organization. The express purpose of this organization is to "rehabilitate" members who have not lived up to Church expectations, violated certain policies, or tried to leave the Sea Org, or Scientology completely. Former Sea Org members report grueling work schedules and torturous treatment, a diet of beans and rice, strictly controlled sleep schedules and restricted contact with other Scientologists. An 'amends project' is a means of controlling the individual Scientologist through menial labor and the requirement of earning approval from the group before being accepted back into Scientology’s good graces.
Where can I sign up?!
You can be part of ALL OF THIS just by signing up at your local Scientology org! You just have to leave your friends, family, career and life behind, and dedicate yourself and all of your money and property to the critical task of converting the rest of the galaxy to Scientology!
If you enjoy being locked in a confined space for weeks with little food while being treated like an indentured servant and denied any personal freedoms, then this is the type of legalized slavery for you!
Sea Org members, despite their exalted status, are asked to do more for less. They work in pitiful conditions making $50 per week for 12 to 20 hour work days.
