California

State-sponsored Cadet Corps programs exist across various states, providing youth with leadership development, discipline, and military education similar to JROTC programs. These programs, like the California Cadet Corps (CACC)—established in 1911—prepare young individuals for military service, public leadership, and civic engagement. Despite the similarities in training, Cadet Corps graduates do not currently receive the same recognition for rank advancement as JROTC graduates upon enlistment in the U.S. military.

Comparison of Programs:
Mission and Curriculum: Both JROTC and State Cadet Corps programs emphasize leadership, discipline, civic responsibility, and physical fitness, providing structured environments for personal growth and military readiness.
Training and Commitment: State Cadet Corps cadets undergo rigorous training comparable to JROTC, including military drills, leadership development, community service, and annual training encampments.
Impact: Graduates of both programs demonstrate higher levels of discipline, leadership, and readiness for military service, making them valuable assets to the U.S. armed forces.

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States urges Congress to urge the Department of Defense and all military branches to equate State Cadet Corps programs with JROTC for the purpose of enlistment rank advancement, recognizing the valuable skills, training, and leadership these cadets bring to the U.S. military.