Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) offers an opportunity to jump start your military career. Since 1916 the JROTC has been preparing young people to take their place of leadership by instilling character and responsibility in JROTC recruits. A high school graduate that has completed two years of JROTC is eligible to enter recruit training as an E-2. A high school graduate with three years of JROTC is eligible to enter recruit training as an E-3.
JROTC is a free program open to high school students. The Department of Defense in conjunction with local school districts provide funding for this program. There are however some activities that require additional funds. These include such activities as Military Balls and team activities. These additional activities are usually funded to a great extent by fund raisers.
The U. S. Army’s JROTC is designed to teach high school students the value of citizenship, leadership, service to the community, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment, while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork, and self-discipline. Its focus is reflected in its mission statement, "To motivate young people to be better citizens." It prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. The program is a stimulus for promoting graduation from high school, and it provides instruction and rewarding opportunities that will benefit the student, community, and nation.
LET I — The mission of Leadership Education and Training (LET) is to motivate first year JROTC cadets to be better citizens. To accomplish this purpose, the text discusses citizenship, leadership, and a number of other courses designed to help the cadets succeed in high school and after graduation. Cadets wear uniforms one time each week. Extracurricular activities include: Providing color guards, eating at concession stands, participating in community parades, drill and rifle teams.
LET II — The second year of Leadership Education and Training provides more details about leadership situations. The program is split into units including: Techniques of Communication, Leadership, Cadet Challenge, Leadership Lab, First Aid, Map Reading, History, Your American Citizenship, Career Opportunities, and Role of the U.S. Army. The wearing of the uniform and extracurricular activities are the same as for LET I.
LET III — The third year of Leadership Education and Training provides still more leadership situations. In this year students will not only be more involved as teacher and leaders within the cadet battalion, but they will also do more independent studies in the areas of communication, leader, first aid, history, map reading, career opportunities, and technology awareness. The wearing of the uniform and the extracurricular activities are the same as for LET I.
LET IV –Fourth-year cadets are responsible for the daily cadet administration and perform as commanders and staff officers. They act as assistant instructors in some subject areas for other JROTC classes. They continue to develop their leadership skills and plan special unit events such as the military ball or the annual awards banquet.
The JROTC program intends to teach cadets to:
- Appreciate the ethical values and principles that underlie good citizenship.
- Develop leadership potential, while living and working cooperatively with others.
- Be able to think logically and to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.
- Appreciate the importance of physical fitness in maintaining good health.
- Understand the importance of high school graduation for a successful future, and learn about college and other advanced educations and employment opportunities.
- Develop mental management abilities.
- Become familiar with military history as it relates to America’s culture, and understand the history, purpose, and structure of the military services.
- Develop the skills necessary to work effectively as a member of a team.
For more information on JRTOC, click here. If you are in college, or about to start college, check out the ROTC page.