The California Cadet Corps (CACC), originally called the California High School Cadets, is a component of the California Youth and Community Programs Task, Task Force Torch. The California Cadet Corps is a paramilitary youth organization in California open to students in the college, high school, middle school and elementary school grades.
The six objectives of the California Cadet Corps are to develop leadership, citizenship, patriotism, academic excellence, basic military knowledge, and health, wellness, and fitness. The Cadet Corps motto is "Essayons," a word in the French language meaning "Let us try."
The CACC's primary goal is not to send all their cadets to the military. More of the CACC's cadets have become astronauts, chemists, doctors and other professions than have joined the military.[ citation needed ]
The CACC's primary goal was originally to prepare young men to be officers in the United States Military, after Brigadier General Edwin A. Forbes saw that the Germans already had such programs before World War I.[ citation needed ] However the program has since shifted its goal. Now, they prepare young men and women not only for the service but also for the business world where communication and leadership skills are essential.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(June 2012) |
The CACC was founded on 5 April 1911 by Brigadier General Edwin Alexander Forbes. 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 California Cadet Corps was created by an act of the Legislature on 5 April 1911. The California High School Cadets program was designed to prepare young men for service in the California National Guard. In 1935, the Legislature changed the organization's name to the California Cadet Corps.
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 basically "dead" all through that time period. The CACC regained its funding in 1999. Since 1999 the Cadet Corps has begun a slow rise back up and as of 2007 there were 8,000 cadets in the state.
The California Cadet Corps is referenced under sections 500 through 520.1 of the California Military and Veterans Code (CMVC). All colleges, community colleges and high schools may form companies of cadets on their campuses whenever at least 100 students voluntarily enroll in the program. [1] California boards of education, school principals and college presidents are required by law to cooperate with the adjutant general to implement California Cadet Corps programs. [2]
The California Cadet Corps [3] is the flagship youth program of the California National Guard. Oversight of the Corps on the state level is provided by the Headquarters Staff, led by the executive officer of the California Cadet Corps, currently Colonel (CACC) Michael Smith. Officers of the California Cadet Corps are commissioned as officers in the inactive or active National Guard, under the auspices of the Military Department, State of California. There are currently 10 normal brigades plus tenth corps, which is the training brigade. In any brigade there are usually one or more battalions and within each battalion there are generally 1 or more companies. A company consists of 2 platoons.
Except for rank used for elementary schools (grades 5 and below used Grizzly 1 to Grizzly 4 rank) the ranks of the California Cadet Corps closely resemble the ranks of the United States Army. The main difference in names is in the enlisted ranks, where the "private (PVT1)/(E-1)" rank is replaced with "recruit (RCT)", another difference in the enlisted ranks is that where the "private (PVT2)/(E-2)" rank is replaced with "cadet (CDT)", the last different naming for enlisted ranks of the CACC is where "private first class (PFC)/(E-3) rank is replaced with "cadet first class (CFC)". Other spottable different is that, cadets' ranks who are from junior noncommissioned officer (NCOs) and up is differentiated by the "C/" present before the ranks' initials, for example, a cadet corporal ranks' initials is "C/CPL", when a normal corporal rank in the Army is "CPL", a cadet sergeant rank is "C/SGT" while the army's sergeant rank is "SGT". Last different is the rank appearances of cadet commissioned officers' ranks, up to cadet colonel "C/COL" and a relatively new change were made to the "cadet first sergeant (C/1SG)" rank somewhere during 2016/17. To start with, the CACC has changed the C/1SG rank to now where the triangle between the "Chevrons" (the arrows) and the "Rockers" (the straight bars below), which is the army's 1SG rank, is changed into a diamond. The difference between cadet commissioned officer, 2LT (second lieutenant) and an adult 2LT is that the gold bar, replaced with a gold disc, the disc itself being called a "pip". The cadet 1LT (1st lieutenant) rank is a silver "pip", replaced from the adult 1LT's silver bar. The adult CPT (captain) rank insignia is two silver bars connected with each other by two thin lines composed of the same material, which earned it a nickname "railroad track" because it does look like a railroad track, is replaced with two silver "pips" connecting with each other in the cadet captain (C/CPT) rank. The adult MAJ (major) rank insignia is a gold oak leaf, which is replaced with a gold diamond for the cadet major (C/MAJ) rank. The adult lieutenant colonel (LTC) (colonel is pronounced as "kernal") rank insignia is a silver oak leaf, which is replaced with a silver diamond for the cadet lieutenant colonel (C/LTC) rank. Lastly on this list, the silver eagle of the adult colonel rank (COL) is replaced with two connecting silver diamonds for the cadet colonel (C/COL) rank. Less than 10% of all cadets ever in the CACC program ever managed to achieve a rank of cadet colonel.
To pass, the cadets [in this case cadet sergeant (C/SGT), cadet second lieutenant (C/2LT), and cadet major (C/MAJ)] must score an 80% or better to pass the exam part. For officers and NCOs testing to staff sergeant (C/SSG) or higher, cadets must go before a promotion board of three adults, usually prior military or Cadet Corps personnel. The cadets are inspected on their uniform preparation and are quizzed on overall knowledge of the Cadet Corps, and in the case of officers, leadership philosophy and principle.
There are many jobs that cadets can hold in the Corps. The lowest level of leadership is the squad leader. They are usually in charge of 4-14 cadets, depending on the size the unit allows. After that would be the platoon sergeant (PSG). They are in charge of the welfare of their cadets, as well as running day to day platoon operations. PSGs are also in charge of teaching their new platoon leaders (usually newly commissioned lieutenants) how platoons work, and to be a liaison between the platoon leader, the first sergeant, and the squad leaders. Platoon leaders are the first level of officer leadership. Usually lieutenants, but commonly warrant officers or NCOs if the unit strength is low. Platoon leaders are responsible for leading the platoon and supervising the squad leaders and platoon sergeant. After that positions are as follows:
The company first sergeant (C/1SG) is an assistant to the company commander and is in charge of all of the PSGs. They are usually selected from the highest-ranking noncommissioned officers (NCOs) and are generally the oldest and most experienced NCO in the company.
The company commander (CO) is the highest-ranking officer in the company, usually a C/CPT. He/she is in charge of leading the company and training the executive officer (XO) to take his place the following year. The CO is generally a senior in high school. The executive officer is a junior in high school that is training to be the CO the next year. He/she is in charge of running day-to-day operations and to make sure all of the leaders under his/her command are communicating.
The battalion sergeant major (C/SGM) essentially has the duties of the first sergeant, but at a higher level. He/she is in charge of managing all of the first sergeants in the battalion, as well as being an aide and advisor to the battalion CO. He/she also take charge of the battalion's drill teams, flag details, the leader (US flag bearer) of the color guards of the battalion, and anything that have to do with military drills and ceremonies. The sergeant major position is a disciplining leadership position, they enforce military courtesy and customs, they ensuring that company commanders and company first sergeant know their duties, they are the direct communicator between the brigade command sergeant major and the battalion, they command battalion's inspection [Note that the AGI (Annual General Inspection) is commanded by the state HQs Command Staff, and is not in the power of the battalion sergeant major], they are in charge of training officers, and they work with the BNXO (battalion executive officer) to collaborate on command and staff work.
The battalion commanding officer is usually a C/LTC, and has the same responsibilities of a company commander, but like a C/SGM, it is on a greater level. The battalion CO is responsible for leading his company commanders and training the battalion XO. The battalion XO (authorized C/MAJ) is in charge of running day-to-day operations and to make sure all of the leaders under his/her command are communicating.
A brigade command sergeant major mostly had the same duty as a battalion sergeant major, but at the brigade level. They are the key player for training and enforce military drills and courtesy throughout the brigade. A brigade sergeant major is usually a cadet sergeant major or cadet command sergeant major, authorized for rank up to cadet command sergeant major (C/CSM)
Brigade commanders, always the highest-ranking and the best cadet commissioned officers of the brigade, coordinate and communicate with all the battalions, battalion command and staffs, and the command and staffs in the brigade, to help create, plan, and executes events. They also communicates the order of the HQs (10th brigade/10th Corps) to the rest of the brigade, and assist in publishing orders to the HQ. The maximum authorized rank is C/COL (cadet colonel).
S-shops ARE the cadets on staff for a company, battalion, brigade, and Headquarters (10th Brigade/10th Corps) responsible for the welfare of cadets.
The California Cadet Corps is explicitly opposed in Los Angeles Unified School District by the Coalition Against Militarism in Our Schools, which in their mission statement writes that they are "...working to eliminate the Junior Reserves Officer Training Corp in our High Schools and the California Cadets in our Middle Schools, along with the school community. [4]
In the television series Saved by the Bell , the show's protagonist, Zack Morris, agrees to take part in a pilot program organized by the California Cadet Corps in order to avoid detention. [5]
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 100–250 soldiers and usually commanded by a major or a captain. Most companies are formed of three to seven platoons, although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure.
Military ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships, within armed forces, police, intelligence agencies or other institutions organized along military lines. The military rank system defines dominance, authority, and responsibility in a military hierarchy. It incorporates the principles of exercising power and authority into the military chain of command—the succession of commanders superior to subordinates through which command is exercised. The military chain of command constructs an important component for organized collective action.
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who does not hold a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. In contrast, commissioned officers usually enter directly from a military academy, officer training corps (OTC) or reserve officer training corps (ROTC), or officer candidate school (OCS) or officer training school (OTS), after receiving a post-secondary degree.
Sergeant is a rank in use by the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. The alternative spelling, serjeant, is used in The Rifles and other units that draw their heritage from the British light infantry. Its origin is the Latin serviens, 'one who serves', through the Old French term serjant.
Corporal is a military rank in use by the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. The rank is usually the lowest ranking non-commissioned officer. In some militaries, the rank of corporal nominally corresponds to commanding a section or squad of soldiers.
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services.
A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries.
Adjutant is a military appointment given to an officer who assists the commanding officer with unit administration, mostly the management of human resources in an army unit. The term adjudant is used in French-speaking armed forces as a non-commissioned officer rank similar to a staff sergeant or warrant officer but is not equivalent to the role or appointment of an adjutant.
Colour sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer found in several armies and marine corps.
The commanding officer (CO) or commander, or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer, commanding general (CG) or general officer commanding (GOC), is the officer in command of a military unit. The commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as they see fit, within the bounds of military law. In this respect, commanding officers have significant responsibilities, duties, and powers.
Quartermaster is a military term, the meaning of which depends on the country and service. In land armies, a quartermaster is generally a relatively senior soldier who supervises stores or barracks and distributes supplies and provisions. In many navies, a quartermaster is an officer with particular responsibility for steering and signals. The seaman is a non-commissioned officer rank; in some others, it is not a rank but a role related to navigation.
The American Cadet Alliance (ACA), formerly the United States Army Cadet Corps (USAC) was founded under the name "Colonel Cody's Boy Scouts" by Captain James H. C. Smyth at the First Presbyterian Church, Manhattan, New York in 1909. The ACA is the oldest nationwide Cadet program in the United States. It is the National Cadet Program branch of the American Military Cadet Corps (AMCC), its parent organization. ACA and American Military Cadet Corps is an Independent National Cadet Program and therefore is not a governmental agency, and is not an official entity of the United States Army.
The Military ranks of Finland are the military insignia used by the Finnish Defence Forces. The ranks incorporates features from Swedish, German, and Russian armed forces. In addition, the system has some typically Finnish characteristics that are mostly due to the personnel structure of the Finnish Defence Forces. The ranks have official names in Finnish and Swedish languages and official English translations. The Swedish forms are used in all Swedish-languages communications in Finland, e.g. in Swedish-speaking units of Finnish Defence Force. The system of ranks in the Swedish Armed Forces is slightly different.
The Order of Saint George Medallion is the top award given to members of the Army's mounted force by the United States Armor Association of the United States Army. The award is issued as a black, bronze, silver, or gold medallion, depending on the recipient's eligibility. As of June 2017, a total of 76 Gold OSGs and 4 Gold NPAs had been awarded, and a total of just over 10,000 medallions of all types.
In many militaries, a platoon sergeant is the senior enlisted member of a platoon, who advises and supports the platoon's commanding officer in leading the unit.
First sergeant is typically a senior non-commissioned officer rank, used in many countries.
Willamette Leadership Academy (WLA) is a public charter military academy in Lane County, Oregon, United States. WLA prepares students to become leaders and to live fulfilled lives as respectful and responsible citizens.
The South Carolina Corps of Cadets is the military component of the student body at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. The Corps of Cadets is the only residential, full-time undergraduate program at The Citadel, focusing on educating the "whole person."
Members of Civil Air Patrol are assigned various ranks, the titles and insignia of which are based on those used by the United States Air Force. Each grade and insignia corresponds to an equivalent United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia and an equivalent officer rank insignia.