The California Cadet Corps (CACC) was founded on April 5, 1911 by then Adjutant General of the State of California, Brigadier General Edwin Alexander Forbes; the California High School Cadet Act created a statewide organization for all secondary schools enrolling 40 or more boys in grades 9-12.
The program has existed in nearly every California high school: public, private, parochial, and military, at some time since 1911. The original purpose of the program was to prepare commissioned officers for service in the United States Armed Forces. Over time, the program's purpose became more comprehensive.
Today, the program's objectives are to develop leadership, citizenship, patriotism, promote academic excellence, encourage personal health and wellness, and teach basic military subjects.
The CACC has trained more than a million young people since its inception.
Some of today's cadet activities include the annual summer encampment, bivouacs, drill competitions, leadership schools, marksmanship training, and Community Emergency Respose Team (CERT) training
