Serrano High School’s California Cadet Corps have accomplished a significant amount during this school year. The 279th Battalion have been extremely busy planning events, partnering with local organizations, and dedicated to serving the community, all of which are important components for becoming the next generation of leaders.
The California Cadet Corps is predominantly a leadership program and secondarily a military prep for California youth, preparing them to be valuable and engaging citizens for whichever future careers they intend to pursue.
The Serrano High School Military Preparation Program (MPP) was first founded by Serrano alumni, Mr. Matt McHenry who wanted to offer a military pathway for students. Since then, the program has developed and continued under the statewide California Cadet Corps organization.
Serrano’s Cadet Corps program is now managed by advisor, Major Anthony Bravo, but for the most part, the battalion is entirely led by the students and organized with a rank structure similar to the army. There are Commanders, Officers and Sergeants, where the cadets are able to be promoted and move up in ranks basedon interviews and questions presented by a board of advisors.
“I joined sophomore year and I didn’t know anything about military leadership or obtaining ranks, but it’s opened my eyes to what the military is and, more importantly, how to start working as a team,” said Senior Briete Nance who currently holds the highest rank on staff and serves as Battalion Commander.
“It brings out the leader in you, but it’s also a safe space for failure,” said C/MAJ Nance who will undoubtedly apply her leadership skills to study law enforcement next year when she attends Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois.
The Cadet Corps emphasizes team building and training experiences that are not only educational, but memorable.
In November of 2023, the cadets planned a three day excursion to the Mojave Archers Club’s archery range in Phelan, which they dubbed “Operation Robin Hood.” The students camped in the desert where they received archery lessons, practiced first-aid, and completed land navigation training to hone their search and rescue skills. At the beginning of 2024, the cadets were also invited to Fort Irwin to develop their military and tactical training. The military base contains an artificial battlefield for the cadets to learn tactical formations in order to perform simulated combat and rescue missions.
The 279th staff not only focuses on the importance of survival skills and leadership in preparationfor a possible future in the military, but in preparation for the real world and real life scenarios.
In fact, earlier this school year, the cadets partnered with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to offer NARCAN training to all Serrano teachers and staff. The Public Health Institute for Public Strategies taught Serrano staff members how to properly administer NARCAN to a student in the event of an overdose situation, while the cadets spoke to their peers about drug use and the dangers of fentanyl. The cadets took it upon themselves to educated each other and their fellow students about the immediate threat of the fentanyl crisis in order to create a safer campus environment.
Commitment to their community and to their school is a top priority for the 279th Battalion and is highly evident as they plan for upcoming projects.
A current goal for the cadets is working towards completing the Command Sergeant Major’s Garden. The garden is located near the back of Serrano’s campus and next to the Cadet Corps classroom. The outdoor, fenced area provides a place for the cadets to complete their physical training which is also utilized by the Fire Science students. Currently, the space has monkey bars, pull-up bars and other training equipment but their plan is to expand the area to include a garden with vegetation and flowers.
“We can use the space it hold our promotion ceremoniesbut we’re also hoping to spread it out so that the rest of the Serrano community can use it too” said C/MAJ Nance, who’s vision is to see the garden filled with fruits, vegetables and herbs that can be used by the Culinary Arts and FFA students. Ultimately, it would serve as a communal space for any students who wish to enjoy it. A future goal is to expand even further and develop a Survival Training Garden across from the Major’s Garden. This garden would incorporate edible and medicinal herbs that can be used in teaching survival training skills.
If you are interested in donating and supporting the Cadet Corps current projects, please contact 1LT Karen Riese at [email protected]. The 279th Battalion is also looking to feature guest speakers, if you are a professional in any career field from medical professionals to law enforcement or any other leadership role, please reach out. You may also follow all of the organizations accomplishments and events on their Facebook Page at Serrano Military Prep/Cadet Corps Boosters.
