By guest contributor CACC 1st Lt. Jennifer Brofer

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The California Cadet Corps (CACC) is diving headfirst into water safety with the launch of its brand-new Lifeguard Unit at the 2024 Summer Encampment which was June 19-29. 

CACC Captain Michelle Torp, the unit's officer in charge, sees the program as a win-win for Cadets. "It's a direct pathway on the Career Technical Education scale where they can actually get certified and walk into a job after they leave the encampment, and it's also a life-saving skill,” she explained. 

The California Cadet Corps Lifeguard Unit carves out a unique space within all California Guard youth programs. It's the only program of its kind that offers a chance for young people to develop valuable lifeguarding skills and certifications while fostering a sense of service and teamwork.

Training goes beyond physical conditioning. Cadets are learning essential skills like search and rescue techniques, emergency protocols, first aid and CPR. Upon completion of summer camp, Cadets will have an opportunity to earn their American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, as well as their CPR/AED Certification.

“By the time the Cadets leave this camp, we’re hoping they’re walking out of here with skills that are being able to seek and search for any kind of safety problems, for things that are at the bottom of the pool or people in distress, being able to activate their abilities to go after those individuals and provide lifesaving care and hopefully save lives wherever they may be," said Torp.

Only Cadets who passed a rigorous swim test were eligible to join the Lifeguard Unit, Torp explained.

“I’m highly proud of these Cadets because their swim test was rigorous just to pass the prerequisites,” said Torp. “It was strenuous and it was challenging, and they had to literally fulfill the spirit of Essayons (‘Let us try’).”

For Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Micaela Lopez, the challenge was worth it. "I love being in the water and I love going on adventures," she said. "I'm super excited to earn my lifeguard certification. I want to help special needs people, or the elderly, who don't know how to swim. I really love helping people." Her story embodies the program's potential to not only equip Cadets with job skills but also foster a sense of service and community responsibility.

Communication and teamwork are also emphasized during the training. "Our biggest thing in Lifeguard is having that communication and team-building," said Lopez. "We came in knowing none of these kids, and now we're like brothers and sisters."

With a strong showing of 11 cadets in its inaugural year, Captain Torp has ambitious plans to expand the Lifeguard Unit even further.

“In the spirit of doing that, we’ll need more people that have Lifeguard Certification and can really help Cadets learn the safety elements and lifesaving expectations,” said Torp. 

The CACC Lifeguard Unit is more than just learning to save lives at the pool. It's about building confidence, fostering teamwork, and giving Cadets valuable skills they can carry with them throughout their lives.