Precision, Pride, and Performance

Cadets from across California showcase leadership, discipline, and teamwork
for the annual California Cadet Corps State Drill Competition.

by Capt. Zak Lara
California Cadet Corps Public Affairs

April 11, 2026

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Cadets from across California gathered at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos for the 2026 California Cadet Corps (CACC) State Drill Competition, showcasing months of preparation, discipline, and teamwork. Representing a program of more than 7,500 cadets across over 115 schools statewide, participants advanced through local and brigade-level competitions to earn their place at the state level. As a statewide leadership program rooted in hands-on learning since 1911, the CACC continues to provide students with meaningful opportunities to build real-world skills through structured, competency-based experiences.

Cadets competing in the junior division Color Guard report into the drill pad before beginning their sequence at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Calif., April 11, 2026. (Photos by Capt. Zak Lara.)

Cadets competing in the junior division Color Guard report into the drill pad before beginning their sequence at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Calif., April 11, 2026. (Photos by Capt. Zak Lara.)

Competing in both junior and senior divisions, cadets demonstrated excellence in armed and unarmed drill, color guard, and individual events. Units traveled from across California, ranging from northern communities such as Williams, to Central California programs in Porterville, to highly populated regions including Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, and down to southern units in El Centro. This wide participation highlights the statewide reach, accessibility, and diversity of the program. Through this broad participation, the Cadet Corps continues to promote equitable access to leadership development opportunities for students from a wide range of backgrounds and communities.

The competition reflects the core values of the California Cadet Corps, including leadership, accountability, and teamwork, while also serving as a practical application of skills taught in today’s educational environment. Through drill, cadets develop confidence, discipline, attention to detail, and esprit de corps, while reinforcing key elements of 21st century learning such as communication, collaboration, and coordination. As a classroom-based leadership program, the California Cadet Corps emphasizes experiential learning, allowing cadets to apply classroom knowledge through real-world activities such as drill competitions, field training, and community engagement. This approach supports pathways into careers in public service, military, and leadership fields, while promoting total student development through a focus on civic responsibility, personal growth, and teamwork.

Cadets from Porterville Military Academy report into the drill pad before beginning their armed squad sequence during the State Drill Competition at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Calif., April 11, 2026. (Photos by Capt. Zak Lara.)

Cadets from Porterville Military Academy report into the drill pad before beginning their armed squad sequence during the State Drill Competition at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Calif., April 11, 2026. (Photos by Capt. Zak Lara.)

“It brings me a lot of joy to see cadets who have made it to the state competition after putting in so much hard work,” said newly promoted Cadet Colonel Diego Nunez, State Commander of the California Cadet Corps. “This program has a competitive side, but it’s also about community. Being able to see your peers and friends from across the state at events like this is something special.”

The annual event continues to serve as a cornerstone of the CACC experience, reinforcing the program’s mission to develop confident, capable young leaders both in and out of the classroom, while preparing them for future success in college, careers, and service to their communities.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners across each competition category, whose hard work and dedication earned them top honors at the state level. The California Cadet Corps also recognizes and commends every cadet who competed, representing their schools and communities with pride, discipline, and professionalism. Events like the State Drill Competition highlight not only excellence in performance, but also the commitment, growth, and teamwork that define the Cadet Corps experience across California.

JUNIOR DIVISION	SENION DIVISION
Squad - Unarmed 1st – 11th Brigade, 323rd Battalion – Del Vallejo Middle School 2nd – 9th Brigade, 319th Battalion – California Military Institute 3rd – 11th Brigade, 333rd Battalion – Shandin Hills Middle School	Squad - Unarmed 1st – 12th Brigade, 246th Battalion – Greenfield High School 2nd – 2nd Brigade, 322nd Battalion – Leadership Military Academy 3rd – 15th Brigade, 273rd Battalion – Rosamond High School
Squad - Armed 1st – 11th Brigade, 323rd Battalion – Del Vallejo Middle School 2nd – 15th Brigade, 702nd Battalion – Curran Middle School 3rd – 11th Brigade, 333rd Battalion – Shandin Hills Middle School	Squad - Armed 1st – 2nd Brigade, 322nd Battalion – Leadership Military Academy 2nd – 11th Brigade, 308th Battalion – San Gorgonio High School 3rd – 18th Brigade, 380th Battalion – Riverside Preparatory School
Platoon - Unarmed 1st – 11th Brigade, 333rd Battalion – Shandin Hills Middle School 2nd – 15th Brigade, 277th Battalion – Tropico Middle School 3rd – 9th Brigade, 319th Battalion – California Military Institute	Platoon - Unarmed 1st – 11th Brigade, 314th Battalion – Pacific High School 2nd – 11th Brigade, 301st Battalion – Cajon High School 3rd – 18th Brigade, 380th Battalion – Riverside Preparatory School
Platoon - Armed 1st – 11th Brigade, 323rd Battalion – Del Vallejo Middle School 2nd – 15th Brigade, 277th Battalion – Tropico Middle School 3rd – 11th Brigade, 333rd Battalion – Shandin Hills Middle School	Platoon - Armed 1st – 11th Brigade, 308th Battalion – San Gorgonio High School 2nd – 11th Brigade, 314th Battalion – Pacific High School 3rd – 9th Brigade, 319th Battalion – California Military Institute
Color Guard 1st – 2nd Brigade, 247th Battalion – Badger Springs Middle School 2nd – 11th Brigade, 323nd Battalion – Del Vallejo Middle School 3rd – 8th Brigade, 237th Battalion – Pacoima Middle School	Color Guard 1st – 12th Brigade, 246th Battalion – Greenfield High School 2nd – 2nd Brigade, 322nd Battalion – Leadership Military Academy 3rd – 9th Brigade, 319th Battalion – California Military Institute
Exhibition Drill 1^st 11th Brigade - 323rd Battalion - Del Vallejo Middle School 2^nd 15th Brigade - 277th Battalion - Tropico Middle School 3^rd 11th Brigade - 323nd Battalion - Del Vallejo Middle School	Exhibition Drill 1^st – 12th Brigade - 246th Battalion - Greenfield High School 2^nd – 9th Brigade - 319th Battalion - California Military Institute 3^rd – 2nd Brigade - 322nd Battalion - Leadership Military Academy
Unarmed Drill Down 1^st – C/SGT Iniguez, Alex – 11^th Brigade 2^nd – C/SGT Rodriguez, Sebastian – 2^nd Brigade 3^rd – C/OC Anguiano, Jacob – 9^th Brigade	Unarmed Drill Down 1^st C/SGT Lopez, Porfiria – 9^th Brigade 2^nd C/1LT Cuellar, Carlos – 4^th Brigade 3^rd C/CPT Arellano, Genesis – 18^th Brigade
Armed Drill Down 1^st – C/CPL Ramirez, Mia – 9^th Brigade 2^nd – C/SSG Rodriguez, Mateo – 15^th Brigade 3^rd – C/MSG Pham, Amy – 9^th Brigade	Armed Drill Down 1^st C/1LT Guzman, Luis – 9^th Brigade 2^nd C/CPL Moran, Iviana – 11^th Brigade 3^rd C/SSG Castillo Andrei, Sean – 11^th Brigade Drill Instructor Drill Down. C/2LT Lopez, Iseael – 12th Brigade