California Military Academy Explained

California Military Academy
Logo Alt:Insignia of the California Military Academy
Motto:"Train Soldiers to Lead Soldiers"
Coordinates:35.3253°N 120.7164°W

The California Military Academy is a military academy of the California Army National Guard located at Camp San Luis Obispo.[1]

History

The school started as an idea of an "Officer Candidate School" (OCS) in 1950. However, a need for an academy in California convinced Major General Curtis D. O’Sullivan to start a program. The school's first graduating class was in 1951. During the next ten years, the program began to expand. However, the school was not called the California Military Academy until 1961, when training officially came under the new academy. In 1974, the first women graduates were commissioned from the program, two years before West Point started admitting women. The 223rd Infantry Regiment became the official school infantry. Today the academy continues the traditions started half a century ago.[2]

One of the most prominent symbols of the academy is an eagle, found on the side of Guard Mountain.[2]

Notable alumni

Original academy

From 1865 to 1920, the original academy was in Oakland. It was also known as McClure's Military Academy or the Oakland Military Academy.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The History of the California Military Academy . California State Military Museums . 2002-06-02 . John M. Menter .
  2. Web site: The California Military Academy Insignia . California State Military Museums . 2002-02-20 .
  3. Web site: California Military Academy . Oakland Wiki . Local Wiki . 2016-08-18.