Chapter 1 - California Cadet Corps

California Military and Veterans Code — §§ 500-522

Sections (30)

Repealed and added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 2. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)The students of a school, college, or community college in this state may be organized into an appropriately sized California Cadet Corps unit under the rules and regulations prescribed by the governing body of the school, college, or community college where the unit is formed and the Adjutant General.

(b)A school, college, or community college is not required to establish a California Cadet Corps unit unless the number of qualified students who voluntarily enroll in the unit is sufficient to meet the strength prescribed by the Adjutant General.

§ 500.1

Repealed and added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 4. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)A California Cadet Corps unit may not be established at a school, college, or community college in this state in which there is an established J.R.O.T.C. or R.O.T.C. program unless it is approved, in writing, by the school or the governing board of the sponsoring organization.

(b)J.R.O.T.C., R.O.T.C., and other federally approved military units are not subject to, or limited by, this chapter.

§ 500.2

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 5. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)An independent California Cadet Corps unit may be established outside of the authority of a school, college, or community college. These units may be established at a State Guard facility, a federal, state, or local government-owned or government-operated facility, a veteran or service organization location, or another public location approved by the Adjutant General.

(b)The Adjutant General may enter into a memorandum of understanding with a sponsoring organization that describes the requirements and expectations of establishing a California Cadet Corps unit under its auspices.

(c)If the Adjutant General enters into the memorandum of understanding authorized in subdivision

(b), the memorandum shall include, but not be limited to, information regarding all of the following:

(1)Compliance with the California Cadet Corps regulations and policies.

(2)Reporting of enrollment and activities.

(3)The provision of an area for California Cadet Corps instruction.

(4)The provision of a secure area for property issued by the California Cadet Corps.

(5)Ensuring adequate and appropriate adult supervision of cadets.

(6)The facilitation of California Cadet Corps instruction.

§ 501

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 6. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)While a school, college, or community college is in session, school-based California Cadet Corps units shall be under the guidance and control of the principal, president, director, or chief administrative officer of the

school, college, or community college who shall be responsible for making

regulations with the approval of the Adjutant General regarding the moral, educational, and physical welfare of the cadets.

(b)An independent California Cadet Corps unit shall be under the guidance and control of the head of the sponsoring organization, who shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with California Cadet Corps regulations, securing and maintaining California Cadet Corps-issued state property, and following the established curricula of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 502

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 138. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)Upon recommendation of the governing board having jurisdiction over the school, college, community college, or sponsoring organization, the Adjutant General may appoint officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers in the California Cadet Corps for duty as commandants of cadets or assistant commandants of cadets in each school, college, community college, or sponsoring organization under the jurisdiction of the governing board.

(b)Except when ordered to state active duty by the Governor, the officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers shall be under the immediate control and jurisdiction of the governing board of the school, college, or community college at which they are on duty and pay, allowances, and expenses shall be disbursed from

funds appropriated for the maintenance and operations of the school, college, or community college where they serve.

(c)Each officer, warrant officer, and noncommissioned officer shall hold their appointment at the pleasure of the governing board until a successor has been appointed and qualified or until their affiliation with the California Cadet Corps is severed.

(d)(1) The Adjutant General may appoint commissioned officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers as staff officers in support of California Cadet Corps operations.

(2)A staff officer not assigned to a school, college, or community college is under the immediate control and jurisdiction of the Commander of the California Cadet Corps.

(3)An officer,

warrant officer, or noncommissioned officer on state active duty in support of the California Cadet Corps is under the immediate control and jurisdiction of the Commander of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 502.1

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 139. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)The Adjutant General shall determine by the adoption of rules and regulations the grade and rank to be held by individuals appointed in the California Cadet Corps by reason of their military experience, professional knowledge, or both. These individuals shall be appointed pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General.

(b)(1) A person who has previously been an officer, warrant officer, or noncommissioned officer of, and discharged under honorable conditions from, the United States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, a reserve component of those federal forces, the California National Guard, the State

Guard, or the active militia may be appointed in the California Cadet Corps in the same rank last held in federal or state military forces.

(2)Each officer, warrant officer, or noncommissioned officer shall hold office pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General.

(3)(A) Upon recommendation of the Adjutant General, the Governor may commission one Commander of the California Cadet Corps as a brigadier general or colonel, up to two Deputy Commanders of the California Cadet Corps as a colonel or lieutenant colonel, one Chief of Staff as a colonel or lieutenant colonel, and the necessary number of staff and regional advisors in the same grade and rank last held in federal or state military forces, not to exceed lieutenant colonel, pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General.

(B)The Commander of the California Cadet Corps may be appointed to a brigadier general, and the Deputy Commanders may be appointed as a colonel, once the total number of enrolled cadets exceeds 10,000 annually or there are more than 100 California Cadet Corps units.

(4)Upon the recommendation of the Adjutant General, the Governor may appoint commissioned officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers to the same grade and rank last held in federal or state military forces for service in the California Cadet Corps by virtue of their professional knowledge and experience. Pay and expenses shall be taken from the funds appropriated for the maintenance and support of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 502.2

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 140. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)All personnel appointed in the California Cadet Corps pursuant to Section 502.1 shall wear uniforms prescribed by the Adjutant General. Primary uniforms shall be consistent with uniforms of the State Guard with distinctive California Cadet Corps markings.

(b)Personnel wearing the uniforms described in subdivision (a) shall meet appearance standards consistent with the State Guard.

(c)Personnel not meeting the standards described in this section may wear an alternate uniform approved by the Commander of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 502.3

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 11. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

The Adjutant General may adopt rules and regulations providing for the personnel actions of officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 502.4

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 141. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)The Adjutant General may order officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers in the California Cadet Corps to state active duty at encampments, exercises, or other activities conducted by the corps.

(b)While on state active duty, an officer, warrant officer, and noncommissioned officer shall receive the same base pay, without longevity, as a member of similar grade in the United States Army together with their expenses.

(c)Pay and expenses for these purposes shall be paid from funds appropriated for the maintenance and support of the California Cadet Corps.

(d)When on state active duty in support of the California Cadet

Corps, personnel are under the direction and control of the Commander of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 503

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 14. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)California Cadet Corps units shall be organized and each shall consist of commissioned cadet officers, cadet warrant officers, and noncommissioned cadet officers as shall be prescribed by the Adjutant

General.

(b)Cadet officers shall be commissioned in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General and upon recommendation of the commandant and with the approval of the respective principal or brigade advisor.

(c)The warrant and noncommissioned cadet officers shall be appointed by the commandant.

§ 504

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 142. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)The Adjutant General shall adopt rules and regulations for the formation of cadet brigades, regiments, and battalions and shall adopt tables of organization and provide for the appointment of cadet brigade, regimental, and battalion officers and staff.

(b)All cadet battalion officers, regimental, and noncommissioned officers shall be appointed, commissioned, or warranted in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General and upon the recommendation of the commandant of cadets with the approval of the president, director, chief administrative officer, or principal of the school, college, community college, or, in the case of an independent unit not based at a school or college, the head of the sponsoring

organization.

§ 505

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 143. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

The Adjutant General may order officers, warrant officers, and noncommissioned officers of the State Guard, Naval Militia, or California National Guard to temporary state active duty to perform functions in support of the California Cadet Corps. Pay for those duties shall be disbursed from funds appropriated for the support and maintenance of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 506

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 17. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

All cadet officers, cadet warrant officers, and cadet noncommissioned officers shall be promoted according to rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General upon the recommendation of the commandant of cadets and with the approval of the president, director, chief administrative officer, or principal of the school, college, community college, or, in the case of an independent unit not based at a school or college, the head of the sponsoring organization.

§ 507

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 18. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)Upon the recommendation of the president, director, chief administrative officer, or principal of the school, college, or community college in which the California Cadet Corps participates, the commission or warrant of a

cadet commissioned officer, cadet warrant officer, or cadet noncommissioned officer may be

canceled and the cadet reduced in rank or dismissed from the California Cadet Corps for any of the following reasons:

(1)Deficiency in academic studies.

(2)Misbehavior in the school, college, or community college the cadet is attending.

(3)Misbehavior in the California Cadet Corps.

(4)For any other reason deemed good cause by the president, director, chief administrative officer, or principal of the school, college, or community college.

(b)For an independent unit, the brigade advisor and head of the sponsoring organization shall be the disciplinary authority.

(c)The Commander of the California Cadet Corps may independently, or in coordination with the school or sponsoring

organization official, demote or dismiss a cadet from the California Cadet Corps.

§ 508

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 19. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

The California Cadet Corps shall train in accordance with the appropriate manuals prescribed by the United States Army and by the rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General.

§ 509

Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 630, Sec. 16. (SB 537) Effective January 1, 2012.

The Adjutant General shall provide suitable training regulations, books and courses of instruction, and the necessary forms for reports or other necessary purposes to be used by the California Cadet Corps. The Adjutant General may take such action as is necessary to promote the general welfare, strength, and morale of the California Cadet Corps and to provide for the recreation of cadets.

§ 510

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 144. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)The Adjutant General shall prescribe the uniforms that the cadet and adult members of the California Cadet Corps shall wear.

(b)(1) The Adjutant General may issue, to the California Cadet Corps cadets and adults, necessary training aids, insignia of rank and of the California Cadet Corps, awards and decorations, and military property or equipment in the control of the Adjutant General as may not be required for the California National Guard, other state military forces, or other military purposes.

(2)The issues described in paragraph (1) may be made by the Adjutant General without charge to the members of the California Cadet Corps or to the school, college, community college,

or sponsoring organization.

(3)The Adjutant General, after receiving written acknowledgment from the president, director, chief administrative officer, or principal of the school, college, community college, or sponsoring organization of the receipt of the issues described in paragraph (1), shall account the same as a transfer of equipment.

§ 511

Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 630, Sec. 18. (SB 537) Effective January 1, 2012.

A sufficient number of rifles suitable for drill or marksmanship purposes, or both may be purchased by the board of school trustees, board of education, board of directors or trustees of a college or community college, county superintendent of schools, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or the Adjutant General out of any funds available and not otherwise appropriated.

§ 511.5

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 21. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

Under rules and regulations adopted by the Adjutant General, the Adjutant General may purchase uniforms, insignia, and awards and decorations for the cadet and adult members of the California Cadet Corps, including utility, physical training, dress, and formal uniforms.

§ 512

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 22. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)Marksmanship practice may constitute a part of the instruction to be given to cadets.

(b)A member of the California Cadet Corps may engage in rifle matches and competitions conducted or held in this state or at any place in the United States.

(c)(1) The Adjutant General may purchase and supply a sufficient number of efficient rifles for field target work and gallery practice and the ammunition and equipment necessary for efficient rifle

practice to each California Cadet Corps unit.

(2)A sufficient number of rifles suitable for field target work or gallery target firing and the ammunition and equipment may be purchased by a board of school trustees, board of education, board of directors or trustees of a college or community college, county superintendent of schools, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or the head of a sponsoring organization

out of

funds available, and the governing body or governing officials of a school, college, community college, or sponsoring organization may purchase the necessary parts for and may repair any rifles acquired or furnished to the California Cadet Corps.

(d)All

marksmanship practice shall be under the supervision of the president, chief administrative officer, director, or principal of the school, college, community college, or sponsoring organization or under the supervision of an appointed officer or officers.

(e)(1) A competent member of the California

National Guard, State Guard, or Naval Militia may be detailed by the Adjutant General, with their consent, and upon request of the president, director, chief administrative officer, or principal of the school, college, community college, or sponsoring organization as an instructor of marksmanship practice in the California Cadet Corps.

(2)An instructor from the California National Guard, State Guard, or Naval Militia on duty at a school, college, community college, or sponsoring organization for marksmanship practice shall be under the immediate control and jurisdiction of the governing body of the school, college, community college, or sponsoring organization.

(f)The expenditures may be paid out of funds appropriated for the maintenance and support of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 513

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 145. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)The Adjutant General may detail, from the organizations of the California National Guard, State Guard, or Naval Militia, competent members who shall perform duties on behalf of the California Cadet Corps and who may act as military training instructors for the California Cadet Corps.

(b)The Adjutant General may provide compensation for a person detailed for duty and service with the California Cadet Corps.

(c)The expenditures may be paid out of funds appropriated for the maintenance and support of the California Cadet Corps.

(d)The Adjutant General may conduct conferences and other events and activities for members of the California

Cadet Corps and may utilize funds appropriated for the maintenance and support of the California Cadet Corps for these purposes.

§ 514

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 24. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

When practical, members of the California Cadet Corps shall, under the supervision of a qualified California Cadet Corps instructor, be permitted to utilize California National Guard

ranges, including marksmanship ranges, for cadet training when the ranges are not being used by the California National Guard.

§ 515

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 25. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)A California Cadet Corps unit in its first year of operation shall receive an assistance visit to ensure assigned personnel receive the training and support needed to adequately prepare for their first formal, for-record inspection. The

commander, deputy commanders, or regional advisors or military officers of the California National Guard, State Guard, or Naval Militia detailed by the Adjutant General shall inspect units of the California Cadet Corps at least once every three years and annually for a unit that received

a rating of unsatisfactory in the prior year’s inspection.

(b)(1) An inspector shall report to the Adjutant General regarding unit community and school service activities, discipline, cadet leadership, training, military knowledge and instruction, and administrative compliance to include condition of property of the California Cadet Corps.

(2)For a unit at a school, college, or community college, a report described in paragraph (1) shall be made and forwarded in

duplicate, one copy to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and one copy to the Adjutant General’s office, shall bear the endorsement of the president, director, chief administrative officer, or college, community college, or principal of the school, college, or community college, and shall contain remarks the officials may deem pertinent.

(3)For a unit at a sponsoring organization, a report described in paragraph (1) shall be made and forwarded to the Adjutant General’s office, shall bear the endorsement of the president, director, or

chief administrative officer of the sponsoring organization, and shall contain remarks the officials may deem pertinent.

§ 516

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 26. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)The president, director, chief administrative officer, or principal of a school, college, or community college shall be responsible for all public property supplied to a California Cadet Corps

unit under their control or supervision and shall ensure the property and equipment is properly secured and cared for.

(b)For an independent unit not based at a school or college, the head of the sponsoring organization shall be responsible for state property pursuant to the memorandum of understanding described in Section 500.2.

§ 517

Repealed and added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 29. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)An encampment may be held by the California Cadet Corps for a duration, and attended by a proportion of the strength of the corps, as may be prescribed by the Adjutant General.

(b)The expenses of encampments may be paid out of funds appropriated for the maintenance and support of the California Cadet Corps.

§ 518

Repealed and added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 31. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

If a California Cadet Corps unit is established through the execution of a memorandum of understanding with the respective governing board, pursuant to Section 500.2, the board of school trustees, president, director, and chief administrative officer of a college or community college, board of trustees of a college or community college, board of education, principal or director of a high school, county superintendent of schools, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and, for an independent unit not based at a school or college, the head of a sponsoring organization shall cooperate with the Adjutant General in the management and administration of the California Cadet Corps unit.

§ 519

Repealed and added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 33. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all community colleges in this state, and the principals and governing boards of community colleges shall have the same authority as similar officials of schools.

(b)If a community college is located in close proximity to a school that has a California Cadet Corps unit, the governing boards of the community college and school may enter into an agreement to provide for the joint organization of cadet units.

§ 520

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 67, Sec. 146. (AB 1170) Effective January 1, 2026.

(a)(1) A commander, deputy commander, regional advisor, officer, warrant officer, or noncommissioned officer appointed or detailed pursuant to Section 502, 502.1, 512, 513, or 515 who is wounded, injured, disabled, or killed in the performance of ordered duty is entitled to receive compensation from the state in accordance with the provisions of Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code.

(2)In the circumstances described in paragraph (1), the individual shall be deemed to be an employee of the state.

(3)The compensation for the individual shall be ascertained, determined, and fixed upon the basis of their average income from all sources during the year

immediately preceding the date of the injury or death, or the commencement of the disability, but the compensation shall not exceed the maximum prescribed in Division 4 (commencing with Section 3200) of the Labor Code.

(b)In determining the benefits awarded to an individual under the provisions of this section, it shall be conclusively presumed that the average yearly earning of the injured or deceased individual is not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). An injury, death, or disability shall be deemed to have been suffered in the line of duty unless the injury, death, or disability resulted from misconduct or disobedience of lawful orders by the injured or deceased individual.

§ 520.1

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 35. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)The principal and governing board of a private educational institution, charter school, or military academy in which a J.R.O.T.C. or R.O.T.C. unit is not maintained, but which otherwise meets the qualifications prescribed by

this chapter and any rules and regulations that may be adopted by the Adjutant General, may apply to the Adjutant General for permission to establish a California Cadet Corps unit, battalion, or regiment pursuant to this chapter.

(b)If the Adjutant General approves the petition, the principal and

governing board of the private school shall have the same authority as a similar official of a school, college, or community college to create a unit of, and to become a member of, the California Cadet Corps.

(c)A California Cadet Corps unit formed under this section shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter as though it were a school, college, or community college.

§ 522

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 207, Sec. 36. (SB 1335) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)The Adjutant General may enter into a cooperative agreement with a nonprofit public benefit education corporation if the corporation’s articles of incorporation and bylaws expressly support the goals of the California Cadet Corps and the net earnings or assets of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of the California Cadet Corps.

(b)A California Cadet Corps adult member may serve as a board member of a corporation described in subdivision (a) provided the corporation has an approved cooperative agreement with the department.

(c)The Adjutant General may establish regulations regarding subdivisions (a) and (b).

(d)A cooperative agreement described in subdivision (a) shall define the requirements, authorizations, and restrictions of the nonprofit corporation to solicit grants and other funding, including private donations, on behalf of a California Cadet Corps unit.