California Cadet Corps
The California Cadet Corps is an amazing program focused on developing citizens of character dedicated to serving their state and community.
The California Cadet Corps is available to Middle School and High School students here at Riverside Preparatory School.
The California Cadet Corps, as part of the California National Guard is the oldest known program of its type in the country. Its purpose is to provide school and students with a quality educational and leadership development program that prepares students for success in college and in the work force.
The California Cadet Corps was founded on 5 April 1911 by Brigadier General Edwin Alexander Forbes, who was The Adjutant General of the California National Guard. The California Cadet Corps 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 elementary through the High School levels and stresses six objectives:
- To develop Leadership
- To engender Citizenship
- To encourage Patriotism
- To foster Academic Excellence
- To promote Health, Fitness, and Wellness
The California Cadet Corps provides applied leadership opportunities for Cadets by allowing them to conduct training for junior Cadets, to 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. Examples, include color guards, participation in parades, serving as student leaders and peer mentors and escorts or monitors for activities.
The most recent evaluations of the California Cadet Corps proves conclusively that Cadets stay in school and contribute positively to school safety. Statistics indicate, as a result, that Cadets do better academically than their peers, have better attendance, do better on the California Physical Fitness Test, and do significantly better on the state’s academic standardized reporting and assessment system tests. The California Cadet Corps motto is “Essayons” a French word meaning, “Let Us Try”. It goes to the heart of California Cadet Corps’ applied leadership concept. Our Cadets learn, mature, and develop by leading.
The value of the California Cadet Corps is reflected in its long history, successful graduates, and continued support from the Governor, the California Legislature, the California National Guard, educators and civic leaders throughout California.
For additional information regarding the California Cadet Corps here at Riverside Preparatory School, please contact Captain Cook-Askins, Commandant of Cadets, via email at [email protected] or click here.