Cadets march into drill competition

Story and photos by guest contributor CACC 1st Lt. Jennifer Brofer

April 29, 2024

JOINT FORCES TRAINING BASE LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — More than 400 Cadets with the California Cadet Corps (CACC) participated in its annual State Drill Competition here April 6. 

Cadets from all over the state showcased their talent, discipline and leadership with standout performances across both junior and senior divisions. The California Military Institute (Perris, Calif.), Leadership Military Academy (Moreno Valley, Calif.), and the 11th Brigade (San Bernardino-based units) achieved the most wins, including both armed and unarmed drills, along with standout individual performances. 

“Our Cadets train all year for this competition,” said CACC Col. Michael Smith, executive officer of the California Cadet Corps, who added the Cadets must first win at the brigade level before competing at the state competition. 

Smith said the competition brings forth leadership, discipline and teamwork amongst the Cadets. 

“The importance for the youth is they learn cohesiveness, team-building skills, and it gives them a sense of purpose,” added CSG Capt. Veronica Braxton, acting commander of the 143rd Support Brigade, California State Guard, who served as a judge for the competition. “These young people could be doing something completely different on a Saturday morning, and they’re out here working together and moving together as teams. The energy that they give is absolutely amazing.” 

Dignitaries in attendance included State Senator Bob Archuleta, an Army combat veteran who is sponsoring a bill — SB1335 — in support of the California Cadet Corps; and Army Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland, 61st Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

“It’s really cool to be able to celebrate the 113th birthday with you all out here today,” said Gilland of the CACC birthday that was observed on April 5th. 

Gilland offered words of encouragement to the crowd of Cadets as they continued the competition that afternoon. 

“Be positive, do your best, and be a good teammate in everything that you do,” said Gilland. 

The competition not only highlighted the varied geographic and academic backgrounds of the participants but also spotlighted the Corps’ dedication to nurturing holistic leadership qualities.

Reflecting on this year's achievements, we look forward to witnessing the further development and accomplishments of our Cadets in future competitions, affirming the CACC's crucial role in molding tomorrow's leaders.

2024 CACC Drill Competition Winners:

Junior Division Unarmed Squad

1^st California Military Institute, 9^th Brigade

2^nd Del Vallejo Middle School, 11^th Brigade

3^rd Walter Reed Middle School, 8^th Brigade

Junior Division Unarmed Platoon

1^st California Military Institute, 9^th Brigade

2^nd Badger Springs Middle School, 2^nd Brigade

3^rd Del Vallejo Middle School, 11^th Brigade

Junior Division Color Guard

1^st Riverside Prep, 18^th Brigade

2^nd Del Vallejo Middle School, 11^th Brigade

3^rd La Contenta Middle School, 1^st Brigade

Junior Division Armed Squad

1^st Badger Springs Middle School, 2^nd Brigade

2^nd California Military Institute, 9^th Brigade

3^rd Del Vallejo Middle School, 11^th Brigade

Junior Division Armed Platoon

1^st Del Vallejo Middle School, 11^th Brigade

2^nd Riverside Prep, 18^th Brigade

3^rd Curran Middle School, 15^th Brigade

Junior Unarmed Drill Down

Colonel Grant S. Pyle 1^st Place Junior Division Drill Down Award: Ashley Molina Galdamez, 11^th Brigade, 323^rd Battalion, Del Vallejo Middle School

2^nd Valeria Vallejo Lopez, 11^th Brigade, 323^rd Battalion, Del Vallejo Middle School

3^rd Logan Whaley, 3^rd Brigade, 403^rd Battalion, Burton Middle School

Junior Armed Drill Down

Major De Witt Creveling 1^st Place Junior Armed Division Drill Down Award: Nathan Havens, 9^th Brigade, 320^th Battalion, California Military Institute

2^nd Zion Hall, 9^th Brigade, 319^th Battalion, California Military Institute

3^rd Jayden Lucero, 18^th Brigade, 380^th Battalion, Riverside Prep

Senior Division Unarmed Squad

1^st Oakland Military Institute, 4^th Brigade

2^nd La Sierra Military Academy, 3^rd Brigade

3^rd Pacific High School, 11^th Brigade

Senior Division Unarmed Platoon

1^st California Military Institute, 9^th Brigade

2^nd Riverside Prep, 18th Brigade

Senior Division Color Guard

1^st Sunburst Youth Academy, 8^th Brigade

2^nd Leadership Military Academy, 2^nd Brigade

3^rd Riverside Prep, 18^th Brigade

Senior Division Armed Squad

1^st Leadership Military Academy, 2^nd Brigade

2^nd Riverside Prep, 18^th Brigade

3^rd Oakland Military Institute, 4^th Brigade

Senior Division Armed Platoon

1^st Leadership Military Academy, 2^nd Brigade

2^nd Riverside Prep, 18^th Brigade

3^rd San Gorgonio High School, 11^th Brigade

Junior/Senior Exhibition Drill

1^st Leadership Military Academy, 2^nd Brigade

2^nd Del Vallejo Middle School, 11^th Brigade

3^rd California Military Institute, 9^th Brigade

Senior Division Unarmed Drill Down

Brigadier General Daniel L. Brennan 1^st Place Senior Unarmed Drill Down Award: Evangelina Villagran-Carrillo, 11^th Brigade, 314^th Battalion, Pacific High School

2^nd Carlos Cuellar, 4^th Brigade, Oakland Military Institute

3^rd Bryan Miranda, 13^th Brigade, Porterville Military Academy

Senior Division Armed Drill Down

Major De Witt Creveling Armed Division Drill Down Award: Anthony Avilla, 2^nd Brigade, Leadership Military Academy

2^nd Emily Courson, 15^th Brigade, 273^rd Battalion, Rosamond High School

3^rd Dalana Pelsue, 9^th Brigade, California Military Institute

Cadet Drill Instructor Drill Down

The Golden Boot Award (1^st Place): Matthew Rodriguez, 9^th Brigade, California Military Institute