About Cal Armed Forces Alumni (CAFA)

Design

The mission of Cal Armed Forces Alumni (CAFA) is to ensure that its current and future alums reflect the diversity of the military.  In other words, Cal Armed Forces Alumni will make certain that all future and current Cal vets—regardless of era or branch of service—have access to resources to help them gain admission to Cal, achieve academic success while enrolled, and to develop personally and professionally.  To do so, the membership will assist all veterans, women, first-generation college attendees, disabled, socioeconomically disadvantaged, LGBTQ, student parents, formerly incarcerated, communities of color, and widows and widowers of Veterans.

By engaging and connecting Cal alumni through public service, Cal Armed Forces Alumni will develop a network of recruitment, retention and mentoring at Cal, whose purpose is to perpetuate cycles of empowerment and break cycles of poverty among those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.   By doing so, Cal Armed Forces Alumni fosters success amongst its members by promoting the core values of the University of California, Berkeley and the California Alumni Association, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Chapter Officers

Honor the Future by Giving Back

Why give? Because you care. Because it deepens your connection to the greater Cal community. And because your support makes a powerful difference in the lives of alumni and students.

More Ways to Give Back

When you give to your alumni association, you change lives. Learn more about the impact of alumni gifts.

Lair of the Golden Bear

Chancellor Lyons Talks Lair of the Golden Bear

Chancellor Lyons, who’s known for carrying his guitar around camp, shared his personal stories, reflected on how the Lair fuels Cal spirit, and offered some words of wisdom for the staffers and campers to come.

Lair of the Golden Bear

Why 2024’s First-Year Staffers Can’t Wait to Return Next Summer

I asked a couple of students who staffed their first summer at the Lair last year why they’re coming back—and why they can’t wait to do it all over again.

Lair of the Golden Bear

Learning to Speak Lair: Decoding Camp Vocabulary

The Lair has a vocabulary that weaves its way through everything, from the thwack of arrows in archery to the glow of campfires at day’s end. Here, “Hail” is a goodbye, “Buy-in” is a challenge, and “Disco Bingo” is exactly what it sounds like. Welcome to the Lair lexicon.