8940 Military Department
Program Descriptions

6912 - YOUTH AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

With an annual enrollment of 13,530, the Military Department manages the California Cadet Corps and six Youth Programs. The California Cadet Corps, founded in 1911 by the California Legislature and then-Adjutant General BG Edwin B. Forbes is a school-based, applied leadership program conducted within a military framework and is designed to provide maximum growth and leadership opportunities for cadets from the elementary through the high school levels. The Cadet Corps provides applied leadership opportunities for cadets by allowing them to conduct training for junior cadets, perform as leaders in their cadet military units, and by demonstrating proper behavior and citizenship at their schools and in their communities. As part of their training, cadets provide assistance and support to the school and community. The most recent independent evaluation of the Cadet Corps proves conclusively that cadets stay in school, contribute positively to school safety, and do not join gangs. Statistics indicate that cadets do better academically than their peers, have better attendance, fewer suspensions and expulsions, do better on the California Physical Fitness Test, and do significantly better on the state's academic tests. The Youth and Community Programs also manages the Grizzly Youth Academy, Sunburst Youth Academy, San Joaquin Youth Academy, Oakland Military Institute, STARBASE Academy, Sacramento and STARBASE Academy in Los Alamitos. These programs are financed with federal, state and local funds. The California National Guard is involved in youth programs because political and community leaders at the federal, state, and local levels recognize that the National Guard brings structure, discipline, and effective leadership training methods to the educational setting.