FAQ

No. JROTC is 100% voluntary.

• Be enrolled in and attending a regular course of instruction in a grade 9 through 12 at the school hosting the unit.

• Be physically qualified to participate fully in the physical education program of the host school.

• Be selected by the MCJROTC instructor.

• Maintain acceptable standards of academic achievement and an academic standing that warrants at least normal progression leading to graduation.

• Maintain acceptable standards of conduct.

• Comply with specified personal grooming standards. Common sense and good judgment apply to the attainment of these standards. Standards will not be relaxed so as to reflect disgrace on the United States Marine Corps.

Absolutely not. JROTC is a leadership education program designed to develop good, upstanding, moral citizens.

No. We have cadets enlisted in all the US military branches.

No. Cadets are taught skill sets to help them overcome outbursts and difficult situations.

Outside of leadership, respect, and discipline; cadets are viewed more favorably by colleges, successful completion of at least 3 years of MCJROTC are entitled to advanced promotion to pay grade E-3 upon initial enlistment in an active or reserve component of the Navy or Air Force and pay grade E-2 in the Army or Marine Corps, and cadets have a higher degree of self-control.

It is not. JROTC is an equal opportunity program designed to allow any person, meeting standards, the opportunity to become better leaders and citizens.

No. Females are afforded the same opportunities and treatment as their male counterparts.

JROTC is part of the education branch of the military. The program's goal is not military service but rather give students an identity, direction, sense of belonging, and pride in self, family, and country.

Though JROTC is 100% voluntary, disenrollment is only authorized through its dis/enrollment period.

Instructors will do their best to ensure failure is mitigated, however, in the exceptionally rare case a cadet fails the program enrollment the following school year is not allowed.

JROTC does not have a summer program. To participate during summer vacation a student must have enrolled during the school year's enrollment period.

The program teaches a plethora of topics ranging from health & wellness to STEM.

The majority of the uniforms are free to cadets. A $25 fee is assessed for perishable items that cadets get to keep. You are responsible for the upkeep of all uniform items and are required to return all items upon leaving the program. 

Cadets will be able to keep some perishable items (shirt and socks) but must return every item issued to them. Failure to return an item will result in financial penalty.

This is not boot camp. The MCJROTC program runs like any other class. The instructors, give lectures, present slide shows, show videos, and incorporate hands on training into the lessons. Instructors may need to raise their voice to gain class attention or for safety reasons.

The leadership traits, principles, and training of the MCJROTC program are widely respected on both college and job resumes. Additionally, graduating cadets who have completed two or more years in the program are eligible for a Marine Corps Foundation Scholarship. If you decide that the military is the career you desire, upon completion of three years of the program, and choosing to enlist in the service, you are automatically eligible for promotion to the pay grade E-2. This puts you a year to two years ahead of your peers, and amounts to hundreds of dollars per month in pay.

No. We believe training together builds lasting bonds and students of both genders learn boundaries.

Absolutely! This program is run by the cadet staff, supervised by the instructors. The chain of command, which you will learn about very quickly in the program, consists of jobs from Cadet Battalion Commanding Officer (BNCO)- Cadet Public Affairs Officer (C/PAO).  Jobs are delegated to cadets who have shown outstanding leadership potential, motivation, dedication, and high personal standards. Each job is vital to the unit, and all positions are taken very seriously. In most cases, freshmen are observed for these qualities and then selected for positions in their sophomore year.  Outstanding freshmen cadets may be placed as Team Leaders and worked into a position. Each of our competing Drill/Academic/PT/Orienteering/Color Guard/Rifle teams has a team commander. A team commander can be freshmen-seniors; however they must meet all qualifications specific to each team for fulfilling the job. 

The Marine Corps ball is an annual event intended to celebrate the cadets through awards and recognition, and most importantly the Marine Corps Birthday. This event is formal, and cadets as well as parents are encouraged to participate. A formal dinner is prepared, and a dance follows the ceremony. Dancing is tasteful, usually featuring ballroom dancing and slow dancing.

It is ill advised to threaten removal or remove a cadet as punishment for poor performance. Often times this program is the only period many students feel a sense of achievement and pride. However, cadets are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA with no "Fs." If your child does not meet the standards then removal is a viable option.

Absolutely. We work with all sponsors on campus to ensure students are able to meet the requirements for all activities they are participating in. Practice times frequently overlap so we ask that our students communicate with us on any schedule conflicts. 

Students receive (1) elective credit (physical education) for successful completion of two year in the JROTC program. 

There is a $25 lab fee to cover perishable items.

While this program requires cadets to be flexible and adaptable the normal weekly routine is:

• Monday. Uniform inspections & Drill

• Tuesday & Wednesday. Academics

• Thursday & Friday. Physical fitness training

• Daily cleanup. Cadets will sweep/mop the floors, throw out trash, and clean the restrooms.

Senior Marine Instructor (SMI)
The SMI manages the entire program. Although they spend much of their time in the classroom, enrollment activities are a fundamental part of the job. This involves: briefings to school administrators, faculty, and community organizations to explain the program and elicit support, counseling of cadets and other students, and briefings to students from supporting middle schools. The SMI must be involved in: community relations, liaison with other Marine Corps and civilian agencies, unit supply or administrative functions, career and performance counseling, and an extensive extracurricular program, such as a military ball, co-curricular competition, Cadet newspaper, drill team, color guard, parades, flag raising, retreat ceremonies, presentation of awards, fund raising activities for the unit or charitable institutions.  As classroom teachers, they will typically be required to teach five out of six/seven periods of a traditional school day. The teaching load may be less. They wear their Marine Corps Uniforms while performing MCJROTC duties. The job of the SMI is not as structured as most Marine Corps jobs. Although the Marine Corps provides some guidance for managing the program, self-direction, initiative, and self-reliance are essential traits of the SMI. Only Officers who desire this flexibility in their work should apply.

Marine Instructor (MI)
The MI works for the SMI. In most units, they are responsible for the Leadership Education portion of the curriculum. This includes drill and ceremonies, principles of leadership and management, and communication skills. They assist the SMI in teaching, particularly those areas where they have special competence because of their experience and training. They may give or grade tests, give career and performance counseling, and supervise Cadet activities. They are also involved in enrollment and co-curricular activities.  They wear their Marine Corps Uniforms while performing MCJROTC duties.  The instructors, although not on active duty, are still working in and managing a military-type unit. The same NCO-Officer, subordinate-supervisor relationship which existed on active duty must be maintained in the MCJROTC unit. Only those Staff Non Commissioned Officers who can support the objectives of MCJROTC and give their full loyalty, support, and cooperation to the SMI in achieving goals should apply.

JROTC has a Zero [drug] Tolerance policy making your student eligible to participate. The use of an illegal substance or abusing prescribed medication warrants immediate disenrollment.