Why JROTC?
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC)
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC)
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC)
The United States Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) came into being with the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916. JROTC was established in the Broward County Public Schools District in 1973. The JROTC Program has changed greatly over the years. Once looked upon primarily as a source of enlisted recruits and officer candidates, it became a citizenship program devoted to the moral, physical and educational uplift of American youth. 28 of the 34 Broward County Public High Schools has an active JROTC program.
Broward County Public Schools has 20 Army,
2 Marine, 5 Navy JROTC, and 3 Air Force JROTC programs with a yearly average total JROTC enrollment of approximately 7,650 students per school year. The JROTC core curriculum prepares young men and women to be better citizens and leaders in their post secondary education or in the work place. Broward County Public School District JROTC instructors encourage cadets to pursue a college education as the option of first choice. Of the students remaining in JROTC for four years, over 90% attend college; 05% enter the workforce; and 5% join the Armed Forces.
Why should a student enroll in JROTC?
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC)
Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC)
To appreciate the ethical values and principles that underlie good citizenship.
To develop leadership potential, while working cooperatively with others.
To be able to think logically and to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.
To appreciate the importance of physical fitness in maintaining good health.
To understand the importance of high school graduation for a successful future, and learn about college and other advanced educational and employment opportunities.
To develop mental management abilities.
JROTC MYTH-BUSTERS
HISTORY OF THE JROTC
HISTORY OF THE JROTC
What does JROTC stand for? JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. It is a military regulated high school program whose purpose is to educate high school students in leadership roles while making them aware of the benefits of citizenship. The mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to become better American citizens.
By enrolling in JROTC, are you joining the military? No. Students who enroll in JROTC don't join the military. They take a JROTC or Leadership class for which they receive credit.
Will my son/daughter have to serve in the military if they join high school JROTC? No. There is no commitment to serve in the armed forces if a student goes through the high school JROTC program.
Does the JROTC program recruit for the Armed Forces? NO! We do not recruit for the Armed Forces. Less than 15% of Broward County Public High School JROTC students enlist in the military after graduation; most enroll in college. However, some of our students do elect to join one of the military services. If they do join, they enter the service with an accelerated promotion which means and immediate pay raise.
Who teaches the students? All teachers or JROTC instructors are retired from active military service. They are certified to teach JROTC in accordance with published standards from each of the military services (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
Is JROTC or Leadership like boot camp? No. The JROTC course is a leadership and character education program that does not rely on harsh discipline techniques like a boot camp.
If the mission of JROTC is to “motivate young people to be better citizens,” how do you accomplish this mission? By instilling discipline, respect for self and authority, accepting responsibility and being accountable for their actions and learning to work as part of a team.
What can students expect to learn by taking JROTC or Leadership? Leadership, Citizenship, Organizational Skills, Self Discipline, Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Team Building Skills , Leadership Ethics, Respect/Courtesy, Punctuality/Grooming, Methods of Instruction, Physical Fitness, Computer Skills, Managing Peer Pressure, Stress Management, Map Reading, Orienteering, Service Learning, Economics, Overcoming Adversity, Military History, Personal Finance, Character Values, Personal Fitness, Test Preparation, CPR & First Aid, Self Confidence, Self Esteem.
What do I get out of taking JROTC? Life skills! The development of your personal potential, the enhanced ability to communicate with others, the knowledge and ability to coordinate varied activities, the focused skills to plan, organize and lead group activities and the knowledge and skills to motivate and bring a team together will give the student a distinct advantage in college and beyond. Also, this can be a fairly easy 90 grade or higher. This can help the overall GPA. Every student is capable to achieve this if they simply cooperate, follow instructions, pay attention in class, read the material, and study a little.
What Academic Credit do you get for being in JROTC? Students who complete 2 years of JROTC will receive 1 full credit for HOPE and 1 full credit for Performing Arts
What makes JROTC and Leadership different from other classes? Students in JROTC and Leadership learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and "live" situations. For instance, a JROTC cadet might be found leading classmates in and outside the classroom.
How much does JROTC cost? Costs for Broward County Public High School JROTC programs are remarkably low. Uniforms and training materials are provided by the program, as are the buses that transport cadets to competitions or trips. Cadets are expected to pay for dry cleaning their uniforms. Cadets are expected to pay for their own meals at competitions or on trips. Summer camp is voluntary and selection is limited to 10% of each school’s enrollment. Cadets also pay to attend an annual JROTC Ball; costs vary from year to year for this event.
Why do the students conduct drill or march? JROTC uses drill and ceremonies as a well-defined, relatively easy to master training tool or vehicle. This tool is used to teach and develop teamwork, leadership, instructional skills, attention to detail, bearing, respect for authority and for others, responsibility, and endurance.
Are students required to wear a uniform? Yes. After earning a uniform in the beginning of their first year, cadets are required to wear the JROTC uniform once a week on uniform day. The uniform is provided by the military, and is custom-fitted to each cadet. The uniform consists of a pair of trousers, shoes (must be shined), black socks, shirt, black belt and buckle, and a service cap. Cadets earn their rank and awards to put on their uniforms. It is considered an honor to wear the uniform and cadets wear it with pride. Members of JROTC teams may wear the uniform more often for events and competitions.
Why do the students wear the uniform? Students wear the uniform to put all cadets on the same level. Any additions to the uniform are ranks and awards that are earned by the individual cadet. They are earned for application of positive traits and principles that will serve you and your community well in the future. These are not given on the basis of wealth or any such issue. Remember, many citizens wear uniforms: McDonalds, Post Office, Police Officers, UPS, etc.
Are both girls and boys enrolled in JROTC? Yes. All leadership positions are available to both sexes equally.
Are there special rules students are required to follow? Yes, although not to the extreme. There are, however, regulations about the personal appearance of cadets, wearing of the uniform, and even how to address the other military personnel and cadets. For example, males are not permitted to wear an earring(s) in the classroom, and females are only allowed one pair of earrings, one earring in each ear. On uniform day, males must have their hair not exceed past the ears, lengthwise, and female cadets must have their hair off the collar.
What kind of recognition can I get by participating in the program? There are many awards which cadets can earn for participation and achievement in the program. Some are given by each school, but others can be awarded by local military organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of Purple Heart, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. These are just a few of the organizations that give awards. All awards have certain criteria, but are open to all who achieve those criteria. Involvement, good leadership traits, and being an active participant of the program are the main requirements.
What about the leadership training? In JROTC, being a leader means first being a follower. The curriculum teaches all aspects of being a good follower and being a good leader. Cadets must learn and understand the leadership traits of a good leader. The program encourages practical application in other school activities as well as in JROTC.
How can I enroll in the program? If you want to be in the program it is as simple as signing the course sheet for that program. Any person can start JROTC any grade in high school, it is not required that you enroll in ninth grade.
HISTORY OF THE JROTC
HISTORY OF THE JROTC
HISTORY OF THE JROTC
The United States Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) came into being with the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916. Under the provisions of the Act, high schools were authorized the loan of federal military equipment and the assignment of active duty instructors with retirees who worked for and were cost shared by the schools.
The JROTC Program has changed greatly over the years. Once looked upon primarily as a source of enlisted recruits and officer candidates, it became a citizenship program devoted to the moral, physical and educational uplift of American youth. Although the program retained its military structure and the resultant ability to infuse in its student cadets a sense of discipline and order, it shed most of its early military content.
JROTC is a continuing success story. From a modest beginning of 6 units in 1916, JROTC has expanded to 1645 schools today and to every state in the nation and American schools overseas. Cadet enrollment has grown to 281,000 cadets with 4,000 professional instructors in the classrooms.