Basic Cadet Handbook
In 1957 the 31st Battalion, California Cadet Corps had over 100 members. Several members of the Cadet staff undertook
the development of a "Basic Cadet Handbook" to be used as a textbook for this class. This ambitious group of Cadets
included C/1LT Chuck Bridges, C/2LT Gary Robinson, C/2LT Owen Khatoonian, C/SFC William Cole, C/SFC Elton
Hart, C/SFC Peter Hoose, C/SFC Louis Minkler, C/SGT Harry Bishop, C/SGT Owen Wilhelm, and C/CPL Steve
Bogdanoff undertook the task of editing material from Jr ROTC Manuals, Army Field Manuals, and other sources and
typing the Basic Cadet Handbook on to ditto masters. Approximately 100 copies (The most that you could expect to get
from a ditto master) were prepared and used as a course text book in 1958. I was one of the first users of this handbook in
my Freshman year at La Sierra.
Only one copy of this handbook is known to survive. It was saved by Paul Krumhaus, class of 1961, and later a
Commandant of Cadets at La Sierra. He provided me with this copy which was scanned into the PDF document that is
now available for viewing and downloading at the bottom of this page. It along with the training material used at Roseville
High School is a good representation of the California Cadet Corps curriculum used throughout the Sacramento early 1960's.
Although the technical training material is interesting, readers should pay special attention to the original material written by
La Sierra High School Cadets. If you look at nothing else, please read the preface written by Harry Bishop, and the Letter
from the Battalion Commander written by Chuck Bridges. (They are included below.) This material and the handbook itself
show what the members of the California Cadet Corps were capable of doing, for the most part, on their own. High school
projects like this are what made so many Cadets successful after graduation.
Jack L Espinal
Las Sierra High School
Class of 1962
PREFACE
The object of this publication is to provide for cadets a
compact but comprehensive guide to basic military skills, as
both a convenient reference booklet and a simple text for study.
It is hoped that through the processes of condensation and
simplification utilized in the preparation of this handbook, the
subject matter of this course may have been made more accessible
to the average Cadet, and its successful
study therefore
facilitated.
The handbook has its limits: it does not touch upon the more advanced phases of military science to be met with in the second and third years of this course; but it does cover basic material thoroughly enough so that he mho masters it mill, in most ease, be eligible to receive the basin proficiency bar. Tie do not wean to imply that this is any mall task; indeed, in certain facts of this course more study and practice will be necessary for absorption of the material than is necessary in most academic classes. or do we apologize for this; for this course, as set forth in the purposes and objectives of the California Cadet Corps, is probably as important inhere later progress and success is concerned as most of the "solids."
In any case, bear in mind that this course is primarily intended
and keyed to the enthusiasms of the cadet mho has enrolled
freely, expecting to derive
from
his experience a better understanding
of his fellow man; and thence, the advantage in dealing
with his on affairs, and those of the world, which this understanding
should impart to him.
LETTER FROM THE BATTALION COMMANDER
Serving as the Battalion Commander of the 31st Battalion has boon one of my
most enriching experiences. I've had the privilege of working with cadets of
our own unit, as well as with the members of other local units. I've stood
inspection at the conclusion of the summer encampment, and slept in the
cold, damp pup tents during our annual bivouac. I've tried my luck at firing
the offhand position during, rifle marksmanship. I've seen our battalion
grow from a company of 55 cadets to a full fledged battalion of 120 cadets.
To most people,
these events have little significance. But to me they
mean a great deal. They have strengthened my character and taught me to
realize
that no matter what your job may
be, it
is always important.
It is my desire that the study of this text will aid in cultivating a
thorough understanding of the California Cadet Corps program. The moat
important item I hope you retain from this program is to be able to lead
and discipline yourself both as an individual and as a member of a team.
Charles Bridges
View and or download a PDF file of the original La Sierra High School Basic Cadet Handbook. There are four parts. The first is about 2 megabytes and the remaining 3 about 1 megabyte each. It view them you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.