Syllabus

DINWIDDIE HIGH SCHOOL JROTC CLASS SYLLABUS

DINWIDDIE HIGH SCHOOL JROTC CLASS SYLLABUS SY 2023-2024

1.  INSTRUCTORS:   Major (RET) Duncan S. Robinson, SFC (RET) Sam V. Richardson III

2.  COURSE AND TITLE: JROTC Leadership and Education Training (LET) Units 1-4

3.  TEXTS:  Textbooks and associated educational material will be provided to cadets at no cost.

4.  COURSE SUMMARY: Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) offers a 4-year program with a varied curriculum that will progressively challenge cadets. The following is a breakdown of the Leadership, Education, and Training (LET) levels: 

         a. LET 1:  This is for all first-year cadets regardless of academic level. This is the introductory course for the JROTC Program. The course comprises academics, a leadership lab (drill and ceremony), physical training, uniform inspection, and participation in JROTC events. The primary purpose of this instruction is to give students the basic skills they will need to motivate themselves and others to become better citizens. Leadership skills are emphasized in all instructional areas of the JROTC Program. Leadership Education and Training (LET) 1 teach individual skills, followership, teamwork, and citizenship. 

         b. LET 2:  This is the second course for the JROTC Program. The course comprises academics, a leadership lab (drill and ceremony), physical training, uniform inspection, and participation in JROTC events. The primary purpose of this instruction is to enhance students' basic skills that they will need to motivate themselves and others to become better citizens and leaders. Leadership skills are emphasized in all instructional areas of the JROTC Program. Leadership Education and Training (LET) II enhances individual skills, followership, teamwork, and citizenship while developing and promoting leadership skills.

         c. LET 3:  JROTC cadets who have completed LET1 and LET 2. This is the third course for the JROTC Program. This course involves the student more as a leader, teacher, and counselor within the battalion. The lessons are focused on but not limited to diversity, decision-making and problem-solving techniques, negotiation, ethics, conflict resolution, and violence prevention. These lessons include a detailed lesson plan. This entire course of instruction emphasizes the cadet as a problem solver and teacher.

         d. LET 4:  Cadets who have completed LET 1, LET 2 and LET 3. These are the top-level courses for the JROTC Program. Cadets will have a leader, role model, mentor, teacher, and counselor within the battalion. These students are afforded a unique opportunity to improve their leadership abilities/skills, mentoring skills, and problem-solving capabilities through an in-depth study of leadership and citizenship. The lessons focused on but are not limited to learning how to prepare a lesson plan and conduct instruction, leadership vs. management, communication, and how to motivate others. This entire course of instruction emphasizes the cadet's ability to perform as a problem solver, counselor, teacher, and most importantly, the ability to perform as a leader in all aspects of the program. 

5.  INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH:  

a. The JROTC program is cadet-centered and offers many instructional techniques designed to teach, challenge and develop leadership and teamwork skills through academic and extracurricular activities. Classes are taught through a combination of lectures, hands-on/performance-oriented tasks, group work, practical exercises, demonstrations, and drills. The LET 4 will often be required to facilitate groups and organize and lead extracurricular activities. 

b. Cadets will participate in physical training (PT) one day per week on Friday and will be evaluated for their effort and accomplishments. Typical activities will include physical conditioning drills and team sports. More details will be provided about our PT program in class.

c. All cadets must wear their Army Service Uniform (ASU) one day per week on Wednesday and at other times as designated by the Senior and Army Instructor.  Some days will be designated as Leadership Lab (LL) day; drills and ceremonies will be the primary focus on this day, with instructions coming from the JROTC Instructors and upper-class cadets.

6.  EXPECTATIONS AND CLASSROOM RULES: 

a. Each cadet will be issued a copy of their appropriate JROTC Cadet Reference Handbook. Cadets are expected to become thoroughly familiar with the booklet. Cadets are also expected to adhere to all school and district policies. JROTC is about good citizenship, whether on campus or in the community, and cadets will be held to a higher standard than many of their peers. 

b. Cadets should be prepared for class and follow the classroom rules. This includes having the proper tools (text, paper, pencil/pen, etc.) and remaining in their seats until the bell rings. In addition, cadet Leaders must be prepared to enforce classroom rules as part of their duties. 

c. Motivation and effort are essential to a cadet's success in JROTC. Cadets may receive high grades in the class even if they do not necessarily receive the highest grades in evaluated areas. There are many opportunities to step forward and "walk your talk."  The Army Instructors and cadet leaders are always looking for those cadets who are willing and able to take charge and get the job done. 

d. Classroom participation is essential, and cadets are highly encouraged to participate in JROTC teams and other extracurricular activities. However, cadets who merely attend class – even those who consistently receive superior grades for their academic work – fail to participate in our extracurricular activities and are not taking full advantage of what the JROTC program offers. 

         e. Cadets are expected to give their best effort in all their classes, not just JROTC. Cadets who fail to achieve and maintain a satisfactory grade will not be allowed to hold leadership positions (and could be demoted), be removed as members of a JROTC team, and not participate in any JROTC extracurricular activities or fun trips. 

         f. Cadets should return all required forms with complete information to the Army Instructors on time. Cadets will not be allowed to participate in activities or be issued a uniform until the required forms with parental/guardian signatures and other information are returned to the Army Instructors. 

         g. Although extracurricular and co-curricular activities are voluntary.  However, ALL cadets are expected to make an effort to participate in battalion formations when conducted, the JROTC Program of Accreditation Formal Inspection (when conducted), parades, and other significant activities. The Army Instructors understand that there are sometimes challenges associated with participating in some JROTC activities (i.e., transportation, schedule conflicts, illnesses, etc.). However, points will be awarded for participation, so cadets should try to participate when possible. 

         h. There will be no eating in class unless the instructor approves. Drinking is authorized of approved beverages only.

         i. Cell phones and other electronic devices will not be used in class and must remain off during the entire class period. 

 j. Cadets will not enter the Army Instructors' Office, Supply Room, and storage /arms room without prior permission from the Instructors or designated representatives. 

  k. Common courtesy to other cadets and the Army Instructors is always the order of the day, and the use of good common sense in behavior and conduct is expected. NO PROFANITY.

7. CLASSWORK:

         a. The majority of academic work will be completed in class.  However, homework will sometimes be assigned, especially when group work assignments or activity planning is involved.  Failure to turn in completed work on time will result in 5 points per day taken off each assignment. 

  b. A cadet's academic success in JROTC is vital to the Army Instructors.  Feel free to contact an Instructor with questions or for a clarification of assigned work.  Do this BEFORE an assignment is due because it will not be an acceptable excuse on the day that work is due! 

 c. Cadets missing an assignment or test because of an absence will have time to make up the work or test.  The cadet will forfeit the applicable academic points if a missing assignment or test is not completed. Your responsibility is to learn what work you have missed and make it up within the prescribed time limits! 

d. BE PREPARED and PARTICIPATE!  Cadets should ask questions and be prepared to answer questions about the day's work.  Subjects, assignments, tests, quizzes, notes, references, and activities will be annotated and placed in a portfolio. Cadets should familiarize themselves with these documents and ask questions if clarification is needed.

 8. GRADING:

  TESTING/GRADING:  A test is given after each significant Block of instruction in addition to or in conjunction with testing on general military knowledge i.e. chain of command, rank/grade, organizational structure, military time, phonetic alphabet, military customs, etc. A pre-test and post-test will be given to each student during the semester to measure the learning received during the class due to comparing what the student knew before and after the class experience in a post-test. Physical training is geared toward the final physical exam, appropriately named the Cadet Challenge.  This event tests students' physical abilities in five (5) areas: Curl Ups, Sit-N-Reach, Pull-Ups or Push-Ups, Shuttle Run, and a Mile Run. Nine weeks of tests will be given after the first and third nine weeks. All students are required to take the nine weeks test. In addition, a written comprehensive semester exam will be given to all students that are not exempted and will test all instructions presented during the semester.  The semester exam will count for 30% of the student's total grade.

DURING THE SEMESTER, LET III cadets will also be graded on their ability to demonstrate that they can teach drill and ceremonies (D&C) and their general leadership abilities.  DURING THE SEMESTER, LET IV cadets will also be graded on their ability to demonstrate that they can teach drill and ceremonies (D&C) and their general leadership abilities.  These cadets will also administer and evaluate the required practical application test for all LET III and below cadets at the end of the semester. Wear of the uniform is tested by inspections conducted once a week. Wearing the uniform is a course requirement, and any student who fails to comply will not receive a passing grade or credit for the JROTC course. Students will be counseled after the first offense, second offense counseled and parent contacted, and third offense counseled and lunch detention. All other times will result in ISS with a possibility of failing the course. Participation grades are based on the following events. They are open to all cadets, i.e., Parades, Service Learning Projects, Community Services, Fundraisers, Battalion Formations, Military Ball, JROTC Program of Accreditation Formal Inspections, etc. 

The final grade for every nine weeks will be determined using the following percentages:

Participation 50%

Test 20%

Classwork/Homework 15%

Quiz 15%

9.  CADET EXPECTATIONS: 

a. Every Cadet is expected to create and maintain an individual portfolio

b. Every Cadet is expected to participate in Physical Training

c. Every Cadet is expected to wear the proper uniform on uniform inspection days

d. Every Cadet is expected to participate in all mandatory events

e. Every Cadet is expected to give their best at all times

f. Every Cadet is expected to exercise a high degree of discipline at all times

g. Every Cadet is expected to bring their chrome book to class and charge for operational use each day. (USE OF CELL PHONES IS PROHIBITED IN THE CLASSROOM) NO EXCEPTIONS!

10. REQUIRED SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT: 

 a. Physical Fitness Uniform (Athletic wear, PE uniform)

 b. Tennis Shoes (recommend running shoes)

 c. Pen or Pencil, Highlighters, Paper  

11. MANDATORY EVENTS: 

  a. Dinwiddie Christmas Parade

  b. JROTC Day (if eligible or applicable)

  c. Fundraisers 

  d. Service Learning Projects

  e. Military Ball

NOTE:  Cadets are only expected to attend the mandatory event(s) scheduled during their enrolled semester in JROTC. However, they must attend all mandatory events if they are enrolled in both semesters.  

NOTE: Each cadet will be issued a complete set of the Army Service Uniform (ASU) within the first month of each semester. They will sign for all items and be responsible for maintaining and safeguarding the uniform items until they are turned in at the end of the semester.  Cadets are liable for all uniform items that are lost, damaged, or rendered unserviceable. The total value for these uniforms and accessories is approximate $300 - $400. 

NOTE:  JROTC's planning period is during the 3rd Block. This would be the best time to contact the Army Instructors. In addition, we will be available after school for a parent-teacher conference; when needed; 24-hour notification is preferred when the conference is desired. 

 12.  INSTRUCTORS' CONTACT INFORMATION: 

JROTC Office number: 804-469-4280 Opt 8 

E-Mail addresses:  MAJ (R) Duncan Robinson - durobinson@dcpsnet.org

                            SFC (R) Sam Richardson - srichardson@dcpsnet.org