Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a program put forth by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the nation that train high school students in Leadership and Military Sciences. The program is entirely run by the cadets, with the assistance of two or more retired servicemen, a senior instructor (officer) and an assistant instructor (enlisted NCO, warrant officer, or commissioned officer of lesser rank). In certain situations, there may be more than one assistant instructor. It is a program also found in most military schools, like the Marine Military Academy (http://www.mma-tx.org/), in Harlingen, Texas, for example.

JROTC programs exist for the following military branches: US Army, US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps.

Note that the Navy and Marine Corps JROTC programs are separate, unlike Senior ROTC, where Navy ROTC encompasses both Navy and Marine officer candidates.

The program is in high schools across United States, teaching young men and women corps values, drill and ceremonies, and other military traditions. Cadets in most High Schools typically wear their uniforms once or twice a week, usually standing for inspection, which is part of their grade for the JROTC class. Most High Schools grant physical education (PE) credits for JROTC participation, an incentive for some students to join. Many cadets participate in extra-curricular JROTC activities such as drill-team, color guard, air pistol marksmanship, orienteering, etc. Some units organize special visits to US military bases during Spring Break. There are also summertime "Leadership Academies" for cadets hosted by various military installations like NAS Pensacola, etc. During the school year there are regional competitions between JROTC units, testing all areas of Military/Naval and Aerospace Science. Cadets learn teamwork and the program generally builds the self-esteem and a supportive social network for these teenagers, an added value that transcends the limited military training afforded by JROTC. Many units also host an annual "Military Ball" where cadets put on their very best Dress Uniforms (see related article Mess dress )and gather together for a formal dinner. Awards are presented, speeches given, and in many respects it is like a second "prom" for Juniors and Seniors; Sophomores and Freshman also attend the Military Ball. Female cadets are generally not required to wear the Dress Uniform for Military Ball, but some do voluntarily opt to do so.
In addition, successful completion of the program can lead to advanced enlistee rank. For example, upon completion of 4 years of AFJROTC, it is possible for cadets, at their SASI's (Senior Aerospace Science Instructor) discretion, to enlist in the Air Force at the rank of E-3. The same is true for the other JROTC programs (Navy/Army/Marine Corps), namely that a cadet who goes through all four years of the program can enlist at the E-3 rating. Many JROTC instructors, however, encourage their cadets to apply to one or more of the United States military academies and/or college ROTC scholarships; Many hope to inspire their cadets to go on to college, and tell them if they still desire military service, to do so by becoming a Commissioned officer.

Units are setup according to the layout of their parent service. Army and Marine Corps JROTC units follow the battalion structure. Air Force JROTC Units are composed structurally based on size (Wing if more than 251 cadets, Group if more than 101, Squadron if more than 51). Navy JROTC also typically follows the battalion (or company, depending on size) structure.

The most popular type of JROTC can easily be disputed, although numbers run in favor of Army and Air Force programs; though the Air Force has the highest corps percentage at 65%. The total number of JROTC units permitted per service branch across the nation is determined by a quota set by the Federal government. The largest JROTC for a high school is at West Jefferson High School in Harvey, LA with 780 cadets; just over a third of the school's total student body. The unit has had 32 consecutive years as a Distinguished Unit and three national drill meet Unarmed Inspection Championships. The Corps has seven Aerospace Science Instructors (ASIs) the Senior one (SASI) being Lt. Col. Carrol Fortmayer.

One of the largest amalgations of combined JROTC units is the Los Angeles Unified School District JROTC program, in Los Angeles, CA, with a combined district ranging into the 6,000 cadet area. The district program spreads into 17 Army JROTC schools, and several Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps JROTC units. It is headed by the Director of Army Instruction, LTC [R] Ted A. McDonald.

Previous All-City Colonels are as follows:

2004-2005 C/COL Andrew Kim - Los Angeles High School
2003-2004 C/COL Grace Pak - Monroe High School
2002-2003 C/COL Yoon Um - Wilson High School
2001-2002 C/COL Steven Yoo - Franklin High School
2000-2001 C/COL Amy Schwartz - Monroe High School
1999-2000 C/COL Nassira Nicola - Monroe High School
1998-1999 C/COL Diana Biason - Monroe High School
1997-1998 C/COL Diana Biason - Monroe High School
1996-1997 C/COL Pablo Andino - Los Angeles High School
1995-1996 C/COL Karla Aguilar - Belmont High School
1994-1995 C/COL Joseph Lagana - Franklin High School
1993-1994 C/COL Maria Sosa - Belmont High School
1992-1993 C/COL Edwin Flores - Belmont High School

External links

• Air Force JROTC (http://www.afoats.af.mil/AFJROTC/default.htm)
• Army JROTC (http://www.usarmyjrotc.com)
• Marine Corps JROTC (http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/jrotc/)
• Navy JROTC (https://www.njrotc.navy.mil/)
• Los Angeles Unified School District JROTC (http://www.starjrotclausd.org/)