The California Cadet Corps (CACC), originally formed as the California High School Cadets, is a component of the California Military Department's Youth and Community Programs Task Force ("Task Force Torch"). The California Cadet Corps is an educational leadership youth organization in California open to college students as well as students in high school, middle school, and elementary school.
Role and purpose The six objectives of the California Cadet Corps are to develop
Leadership Citizenship Patriotism Academic Excellence Basic Military Knowledge Health, Wellness, and Fitness
The Cadet Corps motto is "Essayons," a word in the French language meaning "Let us try."
The California Cadet Corps (CACC) is a state-funded, school-based educational leadership program founded in 1911. The CACC is codified in California Military & Veterans Code §500–520 and administered by the California Military Department’s Youth and Community Programs Task Force . It operates as an elective program within participating schools and emphasizes structured, team-based learning environments designed to develop responsibility, discipline, and leadership skills.
The CACC's primary goal is not to send all of its cadets into military service. More of the organization's cadets have gone on to careers in fields such as science, medicine, education, and aerospace than have entered the military.
Historically, the Cadet Corps was established to prepare young men for potential service as officers in the United States military, influenced by similar youth military training programs observed in Europe prior to World War I. Over time, however, the program's purpose has expanded beyond military preparation. The modern Cadet Corps serves both male and female students and focuses on leadership development applicable to a wide range of postsecondary paths, including higher education, public service, the civilian workforce, as well as the military.
The program emphasizes:
Leadership development Civic engagement Health and wellness Emergency preparedness Career exploration Community service
Instruction is designed to support the development of interpersonal, professional, and communication skills, while promoting personal responsibility, teamwork, and resilience. Although the Cadet Corps incorporates military traditions and organizational structure, it is not a basic training program or a military recruitment initiative.
History of the California Cadet Corps
The CACC, originally named as, "California High School Cadets" until 1935, was founded on 5 April 1911 by Brigadier General Edwin Alexander Forbes and created by an act of the Legislature. The California High School Cadets program was designed to prepare young men for service in the California National Guard. At that time, every California high school was required to have a California Cadet Corps unit if at least thirty-two students at the school were interested in the program.
The program flourished during both of the World Wars and beyond, until the start of the Vietnam War. At that time there was criticism of the military and CACC's funding was cut by the state of California. The program was essentially inactive throughout that time period. The CACC regained its funding in 1999, and since then has begun a continuous rise in enrollment. As of 2007, there were 8,000 cadets in the state. As of 2025, there are roughly 10,000 cadets in the CACC that comprise around 100 active units across the state in urban, costal, and rural areas. Two of the most well-attended statewide events to date are the CACC's annual State Drill Competition and Summer Encampment events.
Affiliation with Military Schools Since its founding in 1911, the California Cadet Corps has been closely associated with military-style secondary education in California. Throughout much of the 20th century, most military schools operating in the state maintained an affiliation, or operated as an integrated institution, with the California Cadet Corps.
Historical records indicate that at least a dozen military schools—including private, religious, boarding, and preparatory institutions—were affiliated with the Cadet Corps at various points during the 20th century. These schools incorporated Cadet Corps training and organizational structure into their academic and leadership programs, reinforcing the organization's role as the primary state-sponsored military youth program in California.
Since its founding, Cadet Corps–affiliated schools have spanned a wide range of educational models, including public charter, private, religious, preparatory, and boarding military schools.
As of the early 21st century, the California Cadet Corps continues to maintain affiliations with military schools across the state. Currently, six military schools operate Cadet Corps units, reflecting the program's continued presence within California's military education tradition.
Historic Military Schools
(No longer operating or no longer affiliated with the CACC)Current Military Schools
(Currently operating and affiliated with the CACC) St. Joseph Military Academy Ramsey Military School Urban Military Academy Ridgewood Military Academy Southern California Military Academy Cheviot Hills Military Academy Page Military Academy Mount Lowe Military Academy Southwestern Military Academy Harding Military Academy Elsinore Naval and Military Academy North Valley Military Institute Oakland Military Institute California Military Institute Leadership Military Academy (Moreno Valley) Porterville Military Academy La Sierra Military Academy American Christian Military Academy of Excellence
Authorization
The California Cadet Corps is referenced in CMVC Sections 500 through 520.1. All colleges, community colleges, and high schools in California may form companies of cadets on their campuses whenever at least 100 students voluntarily enroll in the program. Boards of education, school principals, and college presidents are required by law to cooperate with the Adjutant General to implement California Cadet Corps programs.
Organization The California Cadet Corps (CACC) is a state-funded, school-based youth leadership development program administered by the California Military Department under the Youth and Community Programs Task Force of the California National Guard. The CACC operates in public, charter, and private school settings across California and emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal development through a structured elective curriculum.
State-Level Administration Oversight of the CACC at the state level is provided by the Headquarters Staff, which is responsible for statewide policy, training standards, curriculum guidance, and statewide events. The Headquarters Staff coordinates program implementation, supports brigade administration, and serves as the primary liaison between the Cadet Corps and the California Military Department. Commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the California Cadet Corps are appointed by the Adjutant General of the California Military Department in accordance with CMVC Section 520.1.
Brigade and Regional Structure The Cadet Corps is organized into regional administrative jurisdictions known as brigades, which oversee subordinate units within defined geographic areas. Brigades serve as the principal regional command and administrative level, providing operational oversight, coordination of training activities, and support for subordinate battalions and regiments. Brigades enable cadet leaders to exercise a higher level of command responsibility and facilitate combined activities across multiple units.
Brigades A brigade is a geographic grouping of two or more battalions or units within a region, functioning as an intermediate command structure between Headquarters and the local battalion level. Brigade commanders and brigade staff, typically selected from senior cadets within the organization, provide communications, planning, and leadership oversight for subordinate units throughout the school year. Adult mentors and advisors support brigade staff by ensuring subordinate units comply with program standards and serve as resources for training and promotions.
As of school year 2025–2026, the Cadet Corps includes 15 cadet training brigades in addition to the 10th Corps. The 10th Corps functions as a state-level training and leadership formation operating directly under the Headquarters Staff, acting as a statewide cadet staff organization that plans and executes statewide activities and provides oversight for regional brigade commanders. +BrigadeRegimentsBattalionsEstimated Strength (Cadet body)Regions/Areas of Jurisdiction1st2 16850 - 1,600 (Largest Brigade) Eastern Inland Empire, Joshua Tree communities, the Coachella Valley, and Imperial County.2nd3130 - 200Core Riverside County Communities3rd6400 - 650Cities of Visalia and Porterville surrounding communities4th22~530Oakland Military Institute, Oakland CA5th3100 - 300Town of Oakhurst and surrounding communities6th7200 - 600Northern California (Starting from Sacramento)7th1Unknown - ~100Altus Schools (Online School Based in San Diego)8th4240 - 400San Fernando Valley to Oxnard communities 9th221,000 - 1,050California Military Institute, Perris CA11th10500 - 1,500San Bernardino City Unified School District12th3150 - 300Central Coast Areas13th2~300Porterville Military Academy, Porterville CA14th3100 - 400City of Compton and surrounding communities15th8400 - 700Lancaster to Bakersfield and surrounding communities 18th8400 - 800High Desert area northern San Bernardino County
Regiments A regiment is defined in Cadet Corps regulations as a grouping of two or more units within the same geographic region, established to improve local program administration and facilitate regional activities. Regiments operate below the brigade level and offer an additional organizational tier where needed to support command and control among closely situated units.
Battalions, Companies, and Platoons Within each brigade or regiment, units are typically organized into battalions, which consist of one or more subordinate elements. Each battalion is responsible for day-to-day leadership development and instruction at the local school level and may be further divided into companies, which are commonly composed of two platoons. This hierarchical structure reflects a model adapted from military organization to support leadership opportunities while maintaining an educational environment.
Unit-Level Organization Local California Cadet Corps units are established at participating public and private educational institutions in accordance with Cadet Corps regulations and operate as the fundamental organizational elements of the program. A unit is defined as a school-based organization composed of enrolled cadets, authorized instructors, and approved administrative support, formed for the purpose of conducting Cadet Corps instruction and activities.
Units are organized based on cadet enrollment and may be structured as platoons, companies, battalions, regiments, or brigades, consistent with prescribed tables of organization. Smaller units typically operate at the platoon or company level, while schools with sufficient enrollment and administrative capacity may be designated as battalions or regiments. In limited cases—most commonly at military school institutions—units may be authorized to operate at the brigade level.
Each unit is assigned a numerical designation and is administratively subordinate to a battalion, regiment, or brigade headquarters within its geographic area. Units are responsible for executing the Cadet Corps curriculum, maintaining accountability of personnel and equipment, and participating in required inspections, training events, and reporting procedures.