1927 California Photo Album: Camp Del Monte Citizens Military Training Camp

Item #665

This album presents an American military program of which I have never heard: the Citizens' Military Training Camps. “Held annually each summer during the years 1921 to 1940, the CMTC camps differed from National Guard and Organized Reserve training in that the program allowed male citizens to obtain basic military training without an obligation to call-up for active duty.” (Wikipedia) The trainees were mainly from privileged backgrounds, participated in physical fitness programs, marching and shooting, and other military activities, in a program designed to generate officers. The training took place in the summer, and how rigorous that training was is an open question. The program ultimately was unsuccessful, and was discontinued in 1940.

The album, in good condition, measures 11 ⅛” x 7 1’4” and contains 43 photos, almost all 2 ¾” x 4 ½” (one is larger, one is smaller), with four loose in the album. Most of the Military Training Camp photos are straightforward portraits of men engaged in the program. At one point, several of the military men show up in photos taken in Grass Valley, California, 240 miles from Monterey, which is where the Del Monte camp was located, on the grounds of the Del Monte resort hotel. Grass Valley most probably was the home of one of the trainees, as there are also several Grass Valley photos which depict farm and family life. Other photos in the album depict individuals posing in occupational settings, perhaps in jobs with the post office, as taxi drivers, or as mechanics.

This album references a little known government military program and presents some interesting views of life in California.

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