8940 Military Department
Program Descriptions

6911 - NATIONAL GUARD

The Military Department will maximize the readiness of the California National Guard's Soldiers and Airmen, along with our State Military Reserve. Army National Guard support plans include a community-based land force, logistics, communications, law enforcement and other specialized support. Air National Guard support plans include rescue, air defense, airlift and unmanned aerial systems, space, intelligence, communications, and other specialized services. The Office of the Adjutant General element governs the joint activities and performance of the Military Department in areas such as personnel and fiscal resource management, judicial affairs, internal controls, facility management, and information technology. The Military Civil Support element provides liaison and coordination with federal, state, and local agencies so that mutual understanding and unity of purpose is assured during an emergency. The objectives of this element are to plan, prepare, and train for the deployment of Military Department personnel and equipment to support civil authority when called to state service by the Governor due to domestic emergency or natural disaster and to provide the state, county, city, and other public agencies with the coordination necessary to ensure a timely, organized response. The State Military Reserve is a volunteer component of the Military Department whose mission is to provide a trained, disciplined and ready force during training, preparation for mobilization, demobilization, and provision of support to civil authorities during periods of state emergencies. The federal government provides virtually all supplies, equipment, transportation, subsistence, and support services necessary for training, deployment, and commitment of the National Guard. Training is conducted in accordance with the Department of the Army and Air Force Regulations and Training Guidance.

6912 - YOUTH AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

The Military Department manages the following seven programs while serving more than 12,000 youth annually: California Cadet Corps, Oakland Military Institute, Grizzly Youth Academy, Sunburst Youth Academy, Discovery ChalleNGe Academy, STARBASE Academy Sacramento and STARBASE Academy Los Alamitos. The California Cadet Corps, founded in 1911 by the California Legislature and then-Adjutant General BG Edwin Forbes, is a school-based, applied leadership program that is designed to provide maximum growth and leadership opportunities for cadets from elementary through high school levels. It provides 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 Oakland Military Institute College Preparatory Academy develops leaders of character by providing a rigorous seven-year college preparatory program to promote excellence in the four pillars of academics, leadership, citizenship, and athletics. Using a military framework, the goal of Oakland Military Institute is to graduate cadets who are capable of meeting the admissions requirements for any college in the nation and who are prepared for their roles as future leaders. The mission of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is to intervene in and reclaim the lives of 16-18 year old high school dropouts. Graduates leave the program with the values, life skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as productive citizens. The goal of the Department of Defense STARBASE program is to motivate elementary school students, primarily 5th graders, to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as they continue their education. The curriculum is designed to increase student involvement and interest in STEM, enhance their understanding of the role that STEM literacy plays in their lives, strengthen potential for future careers, and make the pursuit of STEM activities more attractive and accessible. While attending STARBASE students interact with military personnel to explore careers and observe STEM applications in the "real world." These seven youth 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.