The California Cadet Corps (CACC) and the United States Coast Guard Accessions Service Center (ASC) have established a new partnership designed to expand leadership development, maritime career awareness, and future service opportunities for students participating in school-based leadership programs throughout California.

Formalized through a newly signed Letter of Intent (LOI), the partnership creates additional pathways for eligible California Cadet Corps cadets pursuing service in the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve. The agreement recognizes the California Cadet Corps as a state-sanctioned military leadership program similar to JROTC and outlines advanced enlistment opportunities tied to verified student participation and leadership development.

Under the agreement:

• cadets completing two academic years of verified participation may qualify for enlistment at paygrade E-2
• cadets completing three academic years may qualify for enlistment at paygrade E-3
• cadets holding nationally recognized certifications may be eligible for consideration for advanced enlistment opportunities up to paygrade E-4, depending on certification alignment, Coast Guard needs, and applicable accession standards

The agreement reflects a broader national trend recognizing students who enter military and public service pathways with industry-standard training, Career Technical Education (CTE) experience, leadership development coursework, and verified credential-based learning completed during high school.

Founded in 1911, the California Cadet Corps is one of California’s oldest school-based leadership programs and currently serves more than 7,500 cadets across over 115 schools statewide. The program emphasizes experiential learning, leadership development, civic responsibility, communication skills, teamwork, wellness, and real-world skill building through structured, competency-based experiences.

The Letter of Intent also supports future collaboration involving:

• maritime education awareness
• career exploration opportunities
• school and community engagement events
• public service pathway development
• outreach initiatives connecting students with Coast Guard careers and missions

“I want to express my sincere gratitude for the partnership between the Coast Guard’s Accessions Service Center and the California Cadet Corps,” said COL Michael J. Smith, Commander of the California Cadet Corps. “I’m confident this collaboration will be mutually beneficial—strengthening the Coast Guard’s outreach efforts while creating meaningful opportunities for our cadets. The potential impact on their development and future pathways is something I’m truly excited about.”

The agreement recognizes both classroom-based Cadet Corps programs and qualifying after-school or community-based units with verified participation records maintained through California Cadet Corps Headquarters.

The California Cadet Corps would like to thank the United States Coast Guard Accessions Service Center and all personnel involved for their professionalism, collaboration, and commitment throughout the development of this partnership. Their efforts represent an important investment in leadership development opportunities, workforce readiness, and public service pathways for students across California schools.

For more information about specific enlistment criteria and pathways available to cadets and commandants, please review COMDTINST 1100.2I, Table 3-1: COMDTINST 1100.2I — Coast Guard Enlistment Policy.