BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
LOU CORREA, CHAIRMAN
Bill No: SB 537
Author: Correa
Version: As amended March 21, 2011
Hearing Date: April 12, 2011
Fiscal: Yes
Consultant: Donald E. Wilson
SUBJECT OF BILL
California Cadet Corps
PROPOSED LAW
1. Eliminate conflicting code sections concerning the
Cadet Corps program.
2. Allow warrant officers and non-commissioned officers to
be appointed by the adjutant general as commandants, or
assistant commandants, of students.
3. Adds warrant officers and non-commissioned officers to
all the sections that commissioned officers are presently
under including -
a) putting them under the same jurisdiction as
officers in relation to schools while not on state
active duty status
b) subject to rules, regulations, grade, and rank
determined by the adjutant general
c) allows those with prior service and honorable
discharge to be appointed
d) requires a uniform as prescribed by the adjutant
general not to be inconsistent with the rules and
regulations of the United States Army
e) ordering to encampments and exercises
f) receive similar pay to active duty equivalent rank
4. Allow the governor to appoint special project officers
-commissioned and non-upon recommendation of the adjutant
general.
5. Creates permission for the adjutant general to adopt
the rules and regulations for promotion of these positions.
6. Allow warrant officers and non-commissioned officers to
be appointed by the commandant of cadets with the approval
of the president, director, chief administrative officer,
or principal of the institution in question.
7. Allow the adjutant general to order these officers
-commissioned and non-to temporary state active duty.
8. Allow presidents, directors, chief administrative
officers, or principals of the institution in question to
remove a student from the Cadet Corps for any reason deemed
to be good cause.
9. Allow rifles to be purchased for marksmanship training.
10. Allow the cadet corps to utilize California National
Guard facilities for training purposes whenever practical.
EXISTING LAW AND BACKGROUND
1. In 1911 the California Cadet Corps was founded.
2. According to the author, the purpose of the program "is
a school-based, applied leadership program conducted within
a military framework and is designed to provide maximum
growth and leadership opportunities?and stresses six
objectives:
Support and enhance academic achievement
Provide opportunities for leadership
Foster good citizenship
Enhance patriotism
Provide basic military knowledge
Promote health, fitness, and wellness
3. Much of the leadership of this program is done by
volunteers as, according to the author, "California
provides minimal state funding".
Page 2
COMMENT
1. Is there ever a case when a colonel will not have a
commission? Section 6 of this bill removes the word
commissioned for both colonels and lieutenant colonels.
2. Section 14 of the bill allows school administrators for
"any other reason deemed good cause." Given some of the
anti-military sentiments harbored by those in academia, the
author may wish to consider an amendment that hatred of the
military by an advisor does not qualify as good cause.
3. Section 23 of the bill changes the present requirement
of inspecting California Cadet Corps units from a minimum
of once each year to once each year within budgetary
limits. Does this committee, or the Senate, or the
legislature in general feel comfortable eliminating the
need for inspection - especially at a time when the command
structure is changing? Would senators not want a full
accounting of how these changes are being implemented?
Especially given the questions of oversight in The Military
Department in recent months would senators not want a
first-hand, full accounting of what is taking place in the
California Cadet Corps.
4. Page 15, line 37 should read "In addition" instead of
"in additional to academic skills".
5. Engrossing and enrolling has suggested several other
typographical corrections.
SUPPORT
California Military Department (Sponsor)
OPPOSE
None received
Page 3