NJROTC Course Expectations (In Person)
Course Title: Naval Science (NS) 1-4
Teachers: CDR Brad Roberson, USN (Ret) /MSGT Jeff King, USMC (Ret)
Books: Cadet Field Manual, Cadet Reference Manual, NJROTC Introduction Book, Naval Science 2 (Maritime History and Nautical Sciences), Naval Science 3 (Naval Knowledge, Leadership, and Nautical Skills), Naval Science 4 (Selected Readings in Naval Leadership and Cultural Studies and Global Awareness)
Room: Sahuarita High School G100 and G101
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/sahuarita.net/sahuarita-njrotc
Power Hour: Gold (MTTHF 11:46-12:11)
E-mail address: broberson@sahuarita.net (CDR Roberson)
jking@sahurita.net (MSGT King)
Telephone: 520-625-3502 ext 1538 (CDR Roberson and MSGT King)
I. BATTALION PHILOSOPHY
The Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) is a citizenship program designed to give students a head start in their post high school careers. NJROTC develops the self-discipline, self confidence, leadership potential and teamwork skills to successfully meet life’s challenges. Naval Science classes are offered as elective courses with the primary objective of developing students, called Cadets, into more responsible citizens with an appreciation for service to school and community. The course content includes instruction on oceanography, meteorology, geography, naval orientation and sea power, navigation, cultural awareness, global studies, behavioral management, applied leadership, discipline, health education and current events. Classroom instruction is supplemented by military drill, physical fitness training, military formations and ceremonies.
Extra-curricular activities include field trips to military facilities, science and engineering based companies, competitions with other JROTC schools in athletic events and unit field meets, performances by cadets in local parades and similar public ceremonies, as well as participation in school events as guides, escorts, and ushers. Cadets are heavily involved in numerous community service projects, and enjoy a healthy social program that includes picnics, trips to theme parks, and an annual military ball. Uniforms, textbooks, and most associated training equipment are furnished at no cost to the cadet by the U.S. Navy. There is a $26.00 annual activity fee for participation in NJROTC. Enrollment in NJROTC incurs no present or future obligation to serve in the U.S. Armed Services.
II. COURSE CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The student will gain insight into ethical values and principles that underlie good citizenship including integrity, responsibility and respect for constituted authority.
The student will develop leadership potential and skills to live and work productively and cooperatively with others.
The student will develop self-discipline, self-esteem, a sense of responsibility, and accountability for oneself.
The student will develop a greater desire to pursue academic excellence in all subject areas.
The student will learn about the educational and vocational opportunities afforded by the U.S. Armed Services.
The student will become familiar with world history and geography, the influence of sea power on western civilization, and the purpose and structure of the national defense establishment with emphasis on the Naval Service.
III. EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Complex Thinkers. The Cadets administer most aspects of the NJROTC Unit, and therefore will have opportunities to solve a variety of real world problems on a daily basis. Representative situations include: setting mission goals, developing strategies for attaining goals, organizing, training, and leading teams of students to professional excellence, and record keeping. These opportunities supplement normal classroom academic challenges that include tests, quizzes, and projects.
Effective Communicators. Effective communication is an integral part of the NJROTC course with frequent opportunities for Cadets to express themselves in oral and written form, both in and out of the classroom. Students will discuss problems and work situations in large and small groups, take notes in the classroom, and make presentations on subject matter. Students will also present command briefs to visiting dignitaries, represent the high schools at school assemblies, and address service clubs and civic groups. Documentation might include speeches, notes, Power Point presentation, school or community newspaper articles, video presentations, or public speaking engagements.
Responsible Self-Directed Learners and Workers. The cadets will have opportunities to set personal and professional goals, develop timelines for completing course work, and achieve NJROTC objectives. Teamwork and individual work will be required by all students during the course of the year. Documentation might include successful events or projects, Standard Operating Procedures, computer printouts, and briefing documents.
Involved Citizens. Cadets will have many opportunities to interact with other cadets through the use of small specialized teams. Instruction will also address cultural links, the importance of democratic institutions, the development of the United States into a superpower, and the contribution of individual citizens toward that endeavor. The students will be heavily involved in a variety of community service projects, such as roadway clean-up, presenting the Colors at civic and community functions, marching in parades, providing holiday meals for the less fortunate, and conducting food/clothing drives. Documentation might include group notes, logs and reports of projects, and work completed as groups.
Healthy Lifestyle Advocates. Cadets will be taught the importance of exercising freedom and initiative within the boundaries of classroom rules. Conflict management with students and adults will be practiced. Cadets will be instructed in the special role they play as NJROTC students in the school and community, and the need to lead by example, conforming to dress and behavior regulations of the school and the NJROTC Unit. Instruction will also be given on the principles of health education, and the importance of physical fitness training and a drug-free lifestyle to maintain good health. Documentation includes classroom notes, performance on physical fitness tests, and citizenship award certificates.
IV. TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS AND GRADE DETERMINATION
Naval Science is a semester class (with semester finals) and progress reports that indicate the student’s progress to that point in the semester. Tests, quizzes, and other assessments will be graded on a percentage basis: 100-90% = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, 69-60 = D, 59% or less = F. Class projects and other assignments will be graded using the same scale as for tests. Students will be graded on all work that is completed in class, regardless of whether it is individual work or teamwork.
Naval Science 1: This is an introductory course and all assignments, academics, physical fitness training, uniform and personnel inspections, aptitude and other activities carry equal weight. Semester Test, Annual Military Inspection and Community Service hours account for the fall Semester Final, which is 20% of the overall grade. Semester Test, and Cadet Fitness Challenge Grade account for the spring Semester Final, which is 20% of the overall grade.
Naval Science 2-4: Physical Fitness Training and Personnel,Uniform Inspections, Annual MIlitary Inspection, Community Service and Cadet Fitness Challenge count for 60% of the course grade, Academics (Naval Science quizzes and Tests) count for 20% of the course grade and the Semester Final counts for 20% of the course grade. Annual Military Inspection and Community Service hours are tests in the fall semester grade. Community Service and Cadet Fitness Challenge are tests in the spring semester grade.
Grades will be updated weekly per SUSD policy and will be available on Power School. Normally each week there is an academic grade, physical fitness participation grade, and a personnel and uniform inspection grade. Naval Science courses are elective courses that grant Physical Education credit for NS1 and elective credit for NS 2-4. Participation, attitude, and following Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment account for the majority of the aptitude grade.
Naval Science courses follow a 40-40-20 semester grading scale, but are split during the Fall and Spring semester among Physical Training, Uniform/Personnel Inspection, Academics, and Semesters Examinations as specified above.
V. CLASSROOM POLICIES AND PRACTICES:
Core Values. The Naval Science Department assumes that every Cadet comes to class to learn, and to diligently apply the personal effort, the time and dedication required to meet the objectives of the NJROTC program and the Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
Beginning of Class. At this time Cadets are to be standing by their assigned seat in the classroom. The cadet in charge of the class will take attendance, lead the class in the pledge of allegiance, and direct the cadets to take their seats. A tardy is defined as one minute after the final passing period bell has rung. Cadets coming later should have a teacher/office referral note for entering class or be subject to school tardy policy violations.
Cadets should use the time before or after class to use the bathroom. Cadets that need to use the bathroom should raise their hand and wait for the Naval Science Instructor to acknowledge them. Only one cadet may be allowed to use the bathroom at any time. Taking bathroom breaks should be kept to a minimum during class time.
Participation in Class. Cadets shall be attentive and participate fully in the instruction. On “academic days” Cadets shall bring note taking and writing materials to class. On “physical training days” (Normally Monday and Friday) Cadets shall wear comfortable attire appropriate to the task, including NJROTC Unit T-Shirt and athletic shorts, or with prior approval from the Senior Naval Science Instructor/Naval Science Instructor, appropriate related work out gear. On “uniform days” (Normally Wednesday) Cadets shall wear the prescribed naval uniform to school for the entire school day.
Personal Conduct. Cadets shall observe the rules of courtesy, respect for peers and authority, and reverence for the flag and country shall be taught and practiced throughout the NJROTC course of instruction. Positive consequences may include but are not limited to promotions, ribbons, medals, and no uniform days. Negative consequences will be a warning letter for not properly participating in classroom activities and a recommedation for removal from Naval Science class for continuing infractions.
Food, Drink, Caps. Cadets shall not consume food, drink nor chew gum during NJROTC instruction. Hats and caps (other than prescribed headgear) shall not be worn during NJROTC instruction.
Absences. It is the Cadet’s responsibility to complete missed assignments, and to make requisite arrangements with the instructor. Normally this will require the Cadet to come in during Zero Hour before school, at lunch, or after school to complete the assignment done in class. For extended absences, a Naval Science textbook may be taken home to complete course work done in class. Cadets are responsible for the Naval Science textbook and will be required to financially compensate the U.S. Government if they are not taken care of.
Tests and Quizzes. Tests and quizzes will normally be open notes from notes the Cadet has taken in class. Notes from someone else will not be allowed. Tests and quizzes that are missed due to absences will be made up.
Teamwork. At times Cadets will be assigned to a team for specific tasks and will be expected to work with the assigned team. In such cases Cadets will earn grades that are based on how well members of the team work together.
Accountability. Cadets are held accountable for the classroom rules and regulations governing attendance in school and participation in the NJROTC program. Cadet leaders and NJROTC instructors will take prompt and effective action to deal with infractions. Consequences of inappropriate behavior and performance shortcomings may include reprimand, counseling, extra instruction, extra duty, adverse grades, and in extreme cases (pursuant to the SUSD contract with the U.S. Navy) removal from the NJROTC program.
The NJROTC Program rewards cadets who follow the Navy Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment with ribbons, promotions, competition participation and summer camps.
VI. OFFICE HOURS AND CONFERENCE PROCEDURES
The NJROTC instructors are normally on campus daily from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM. They can be reached by calling 520-625-3502 and the extension 1538 for MSGT King or CDR Roberson. Messages may also be left for the NJROTC instructors, and every effort will be made to return calls within 24 hours. Tutoring hours are 1125 - 1150 in the G Building at Sahuarita High School on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. NJROTC instructors are available for conferences and discussions with parents in the NJROTC spaces before and after school. Communication by e-mail is also encouraged.