JROTC is a unique program within Carroll County’s instructional offerings. JROTC develops citizenship, character, leadership and teamwork through a varied program of instruction that challenges Cadets with healthy doses of practical experience, cutting edge curriculum and fun activities.
The military framework of the program is a very effective way to instill goal-directed, success-oriented attitudes and behaviors. The JROTC battalion provides an atmosphere designed to develop and foster the qualities of leadership. Through classroom and other instructional activities Cadets gain self-discipline, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility that will enable them to better serve their country and community as a leader, a private citizen or a member of the military. JROTC is not a recruitment program; however, many graduating cadets enlist in the military with advanced rank and/or compete successfully for scholarships and military academy appointments.
As a part of the Career and Technical program, JROTC may be taken each semester by high school students, moving from (Leadership, Education and Training level 1) LET I up through LET VIII. Certification testing for JROTC is coming in the near future. The JROTC Curriculum contains a broad range of subjects designed to prepare Cadets to be good citizens and future leaders of high character. Below is a listing of the topics Cadets can expect to learn as they move through the eight JROTC LET levels.
LET I – Citizenship, Self Awareness and Personal Growth Plan, Leadership, Fitness
LET II – Leadership, Wellness and Fitness, Citizenship in history and Government, Fitness
LET III – Command and Staff, Managing Conflict, Financial and Career Planning, Fitness
LET III-VIII – Leading Others, Financial and Career Planning, Fitness, Decision Making
Cadets are expected to:
• Show up on time for all activities
• Be prepared
• Have a positive attitude
• Try and take risks in class (you will fail sometimes)
• Participate in co-curricular activities
• Work together - Cadets will often succeed or fail as a team
• Succeed and grow
Cadets can expect to:
• Be treated with respect
• Set goals
• Learn about yourself
• Be challenged with new roles and activities
• Be a part of a team
• Practice follower-ship
• Practice leadership
• Participate in after school work and activities
• Practice follower-ship
The JROTC curriculum is a combination of traditional academic work, practical exercises, leadership and management application, physical fitness and extracurricular activities. The three main components for grading purposes are uniform inspection, physical fitness and class work. Selected after school activities are mandatory, these activities are the Veterans Day Parade and the Military Ball. Extra credit is often given for co-curricular activities after school hours. Cadets are graded in a variety of in class and selected out of class activities. Some specifics:
•All Cadets know and recite the Cadet Creed.
•All Cadets know all cadet ranks and insignia.
•All Cadets properly wear the Class A or B Uniform once a week, usually on Wednesdays, and wear their Physical Fitness (PT) uniform twice a week.
•Cadets failing to wear the uniform receive a “0”. Cadets failing to wear the uniform three times in six-week grading period will result in a failure for that Six-weeks.
•All Cadets perform physical fitness training twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
•Cadets are expected to continuously try and do their best during physical training.
•Academic lessons are given on Mondays and Thursdays. Written and practical tests are usually given following each section.
•Drill and ceremony are integrated into daily operations of the JROTC program. There will be practical assessments of each Cadet’s ability to perform and direct drill and
ceremony.
•Final exam. There are both written and practical assessments used on the final exam.
Uniform Wear - Uniform inspections are a BIG part of our program and of the overall grade of our Cadets. Uniforms are worn and inspected each Wednesday. Recurring uniform violations result in increasing point deductions. Items inspected are listed in the matrix below.
Hair Earring Shave Tie/Tab Shirt Ribbon Nails Rings Belt Gig/Pants Socks Shoes Conduct TOTAL
15 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 25 100
Physical Training - We do physical training twice a week on Tuesday and Friday. This is the minimum number of times per week that we can do fitness training and still see improvement in fitness. Uniforms are issued for physical training. Not being in uniform will result in a zero uniform grade for that day. A note from a medical professional is required to excuse a Cadet from physical training. Parents/guardians are encouraged to have doctors specify the physical activities Cadets ARE permitted to engage in for the duration of the doctor’s instruction.
• The goal is to improve each Cadet’s fitness as assessed by the Cadet Challenge, which consists of:
Mile Run
Shuttle
Pull-ups
Curl-ups
Sit and reach
• To improve or maintain a healthy body composition: a beginning body composition and end of semester body composition are taken to assess change during the semester. Cadets may use these measurements to set and measure progress toward healthy weight and body fat goals.
Leadership Training- Training of leaders is integrated into daily course operations both within class time and in extracurricular activities. Cadets are promoted to higher ranks and given more responsibility commensurate with demonstrated performance. Cadets are responsible for daily operations of the class, under the supervision of the army instructors.
Promotions – Promotions are based on performance and demonstrated potential. Promotions are both a reward for performance and a challenge to accept and fulfill new and great responsibilities. Awards are given for participation in certain activities, completion of specific training, performance of specific types of service, achievement of certain standards in academics, physical fitness or on competitive team events. Of course performance in academics as well as JROTC is critical factors in the process. Leader selections are based on performance and potential within classes, teams and programs.
Values - Character and values are an integral part of the JROTC curriculum. All Cadets are required to memorize and follow the JROTC Cadet Creed. Cadets that demonstrate that they are not able to follow US laws, school rules and the standards of the Cadet Creed are not allowed to participate in the JROTC program.
Extracurricular and Co-curricular Activities JROTC has a class portion and a co-curricular portion. Extra Credit is often given for participating in extra-curricular activities and while usually not required, the extracurricular portion is necessary for any Cadet to get the full benefit of the program. Parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to join us for activities as Chaperones. Please contact the SAI or AI to coordinate Chaperone participation. Extracurricular activities include the following:
JROTC Competitive Teams Cadets can now win Varsity Letters in JROTC: Drill, Marksmanship and Raiders. Letters are earned when a Cadet achieves a first team status and competes in the majority of competitions. The number of competitions varies with the sport. Last year Cadets earned letters in Marksmanship and Raiders. Cadets must maintain passing grades in all classes to be eligible to participate on JROTC competitive teams.
Raider Team - The battalion will participate in Raider competitions in fall and spring. Cadets participating on varsity and junior varsity sport teams (Cross-Country, Football, Volleyball, etc.) are allowed and encouraged to be a part of the Raider Team. Cadets will achieve the basic fitness necessary for Raider competition thru participation in their sport. JROTC physical training, during class, will enhance that basic fitness and prepare them for the unique skills and techniques necessary to compete and be successful in Raiders.
Marksmanship Team - The Marksmanship team consists of four Cadets and normally trains and competes in November and December. With sufficient numbers and quality of shooters we can have two marksmanship teams and train 10 shooters during the season. The team shoots air rifles at bull’s eye type targets at 10 meters distance. Team members must score 100% on a rifle safety exam prior to being allowed to compete for a position on the rifle team. Drill Team - The drill team consists of a minimum of 13 Cadets. This allows our unit to participate in platoon drill competitions. Drill competitions include armed and unarmed platoons, squads, and individuals.
Color Guard - Our Color Guard provides a key school and community service and is our most visible program. It is a distinct honor for our Cadets to present our nations flag in 20 to 30 different events each year. The Cadets on this team may also be asked to compete in drill and ceremony competitions. The Color Guard may also compete as part of the Drill team.
Academic and Leadership Teams - The unit annually participates in JROTC Academic and JROTC Leadership Bowl competitions on-line. Teams are selected based on academic performance and leadership performance and technique expertise.
Physical Fitness Team – The unit annually competes in postal fitness events. All Cadets participate in these events during regular physical training class time. The events in these competitions vary, allowing different Cadets to be among the best, be selected by performance to represent the unit on the team selected.
Cadets must be excused from their other classes by their teachers to attend JROTC activities during the school day. Additionally, Cadets receiving “0” for uniform inspection may not participate in adventure activities and may not be permitted to attend some historic activities.
Adventure Activities - Annual adventure activities include canoeing, snow tubing and hiking. Qualifying Cadets may go on 25 and 50 mile hikes along the New River during the spring semester.
Historic Field Trips - We have visited the D-Day Memorial, Special Forces Museum, Airborne Museum and Guilford Courthouse.
Parades - All Cadets will participate in the annual Veterans Day parade in Hillsville. Cadets may participate in the Christmas parade on a voluntary basis.
Military Ball – Annually the Cadet Battalion Commander hosts all Cadets for a formal Military Ball. This event includes a receiving line, grog ceremony, dinner, guest speaker, cake cutting ceremony and dance. The uniform is Class A with bowtie. A distinguished military guest is the guest of honor. The formal portion of the program ends with the address by the guest of honor, following this, the Cadets can dance until midnight.