Leadership
Develop decision-making, command presence, and the ability to lead peers in high-stress situations.
California Cadet Corps · Est. 1911
Written by Cadets, for Cadets
Developing Leaders Since 1911
The new-cadet start guide — everything you need for your first year, built by cadets who have walked the same path.
Who We Are
About the California Cadet Corps
The program is organized around five core strands, each designed to build a well-rounded cadet ready for any career or path after high school.
Citizenship
Foster civic awareness, community service, and a sense of duty to California and the nation.
Military Subjects
Learn drill & ceremonies, land navigation, marksmanship safety, and military courtesies.
Healthy Living
Build physical fitness, nutrition habits, and mental resilience through PT and wellness programs.
Academics
Reinforce classroom skills — goal-setting, study habits, and academic achievement count toward advancement.
Promotion Path
Your First Four Ranks
Every cadet starts as a Recruit and earns their way up. Advancement requires Time-in-Grade (TIG) and a Performance Task Assessment (PTA). There is no automatic right to promotion — it is earned.
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Recruit
Every cadet begins here. As a Recruit you are learning the ropes — uniform standards, cadet courtesies, basic drill, and the culture of the corps. No PTA is required to enter; your clock starts ticking the day you join your unit.
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Cadet
After roughly one semester of satisfactory participation you become eligible for your first PTA. Pass it and you receive the Cadet rank — the first real milestone. Attendance, attitude, and effort all factor in.
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Cadet First Class
With a second semester of quality service and another PTA, you advance to Cadet First Class. You are no longer the newest person in the room and start taking on junior mentorship responsibilities.
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Cadet Corporal
Corporal is the first Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank. You now lead small groups, set the standard for junior cadets, and are expected to know California Cadet Corps regulations and your unit's mission cold. A significant milestone — and just the beginning of the NCO path.
Authoritative promotion criteria: cacadets.org/Cadet/Rank Structure and CR 1-5 (Cadet Regulation 1-5 — Promotions). Requirements listed here are guidance; official criteria govern.
Awards
Earn Your First Ribbons
Ribbons are worn on your dress uniform and represent achievement. As a new cadet, these seven are the most accessible — focus here first.
Perfect Attendance
Attend every scheduled unit meeting during a grading period without an unexcused absence.
Physical Fitness
Meet or exceed the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) standards for your age and gender.
Marksmanship Training
Complete the required marksmanship safety training and qualify on the range or EST.
Basic Leadership School
Attend and successfully complete a California Cadet Corps-sponsored Basic Leadership School (BLS).
Bivouac
Participate in a sanctioned overnight bivouac field training exercise with your unit.
Individual Community Service
Complete the minimum required hours of individual community service outside of cadet events.
Citizenship
Demonstrate exemplary citizenship contributions as assessed by your unit commander.
Full ribbon criteria: cacadets.org/Cadet/Ribbon Chart and CR 1-1 (Cadet Regulation 1-1 — Awards). Specific requirements may vary; consult your unit S1 or commander.
Get Involved
Cadet Events
Events are where cadets grow fastest. They earn ribbons, test skills, and build friendships across the corps. Here are the key events you can attend as a new cadet.
Summer Encampment
The flagship annual event held at Camp San Luis Obispo. Two weeks of intensive training, leadership challenges, and corps-wide competition — with scholarships available for qualifying cadets.
X-Treme Team Challenge (XTC)
A team competition of ten physical and mental challenges — obstacle courses, sprints, trivia, and games like Human Foosball and Human Battleship — held at Porterville Military Academy.
Drill Competition
Units compete in armed and unarmed drill, color guard, and individual events before a panel of military judges.
Individual Major Awards (IMAs)
Cadets demonstrate proficiency across interview, oral presentation, uniform inspection, drill test, and written test — advancing from school to brigade to state championships.
Wilderness Skills
A restricted-enrollment field course in shelter construction, fire-starting, water purification, and backcountry hiking for 8th-12th grade cadets.
Survival Training
A limited-enrollment field training exercise at Camp San Luis Obispo building self-reliance, resilience, and stress management through hands-on survival skills.
Marksmanship Competition
Cadets compete on the range or the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) to demonstrate safe, accurate marksmanship.
Events NOT guaranteed
Full events calendar: cacadets.org/Events/YTC
Getting Started
What a New Cadet Needs
Your first weeks set the tone. Check off these five priorities and you will be ahead of the curve before your first PTA.
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Learn Cadet Courtesies Know when and how to salute, how to address officers and NCOs, and the basic customs of the corps. First impressions are lasting ones.
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Get and Maintain Your Uniform Your unit will issue your uniform — learn how to wear it correctly. Inspect it before every meeting: pressed, boots shined, insignia straight. A sharp uniform signals you take this seriously.
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Attend Every Meeting Attendance is the single biggest factor in early promotion and ribbon eligibility. Missing meetings without an excused absence stalls your clock. Show up, on time, in uniform, every time.
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Set Your First Promotion Goal: RCT → CDT Talk to your NCO or commander about what the PTA looks like for your unit. Know what is expected, start practicing now, and ask for feedback early.
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Sign Up for Your First Event Pick one event from the list above and commit. Events are where the program comes alive — and where ribbons and friendships are made. Talk to your commander about registration and any fees.
Want More Information?
Visit the official California Cadet Corps website for the full curriculum, forms, and program details.
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