Syllabus

ARMY JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (JROTC)

COURSE SYLLABUS (SY 2025-2026)

Since its establishment in 1968, the Seneca High School Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) has served our school, community, the State of South Carolina, and the United States of America by providing citizenship training and community-based practicums.  Throughout its history, the unit has fostered and maintained a rich “Tradition of Excellence.”  We believe that our cadets are our credentials.  Our school, community, state, and nation are beneficiaries of their character and leadership.

The JROTC Curriculum prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while instilling an appreciation for the rights and privileges of American Citizenship. The program is a stimulus for promoting graduation and provides opportunities that will benefit the cadet, the school, and the community. There is no military obligation attached to participation in the US Army JROTC program.

MISSION: “To Motivate Young People to Be Better Citizens.”

VISION:  Seneca High School’s Army JROTC will provide a quality citizenship, character, and leadership development program, while fostering partnerships within the community and educational institutions.

JROTC CADET CREED:  Cadets are expected to memorize and abide by the JROTC Cadet Creed.

COURSE CREDIT:  JROTC is a semester elective course.  One (1) credit is awarded for completion of each successive Leadership Education and Training (LET) level.  Credit for JROTC 1 may be substituted for the credit of Physical Education required for graduation.

TRAINING WEEK:

MONDAY & FRIDAY is devoted to physical training and individual fitness activities. These sessions are designed to improve the student’s overall health and develop confidence in their ability to perform physical tasks and work as a member of a team. Participation and dressing out for these activities is graded.

TUESDAY & THURSDAY:  each week provides a structured classroom environment that devotes a large percentage of time to "learn by doing" activities. The coursework in JROTC is divided into four Leadership, Education, and Training (LET) levels that correspond to the four years of high school.  LETs 1 & 2 cadets will be primarily under the control of the Army Instructor and LETs 3, & 4 cadets will be combined under control of the Senior Army Instructor.  LET 2, 3, & 4 Cadets will conduct instruction for the LET 1 levels at the discretion of the Instructors. All four levels consist of several sub-courses that are built around the following topics:

• Leadership 

• Personal Growth & Behaviors

• Team Building

• Decision Making

• Health & Fitness / Cadet Challenge 

• Service Learning

• Citizenship & Government

• Cyber Security

WEDNESDAY (Uniform Day) is devoted to uniform wear and inspection followed by practice in drill and ceremony. These sessions are designed to evaluate the student’s attention to detail and ability to observe set military standards. Their ability to adhere to uniform standards will determine their Uniform Grade. 

• The uniform worn on Wednesday will be worn all day unless previously coordinated with the JROTC Instructor.

• Failure to wear the uniform all day will result in a reduction in grade for that day. 

• If a cadet is not in school on the uniform day, it must be worn the first day that the cadet returns to school in order to receive a uniform grade with no penalty, after the first day there is a penalty of forty (40) points.  If a cadet is present for uniform day and fails to wear the uniform they have until the next uniform day to make up the grade with a penalty of forty (40) points. The grade of zero will be entered into the cadet gradebook until the uniform grade is made up as aforementioned. 

• Failure to make up the missed uniform day on time will result in a zero for that respective grade. 

• Cadets who miss more than three uniform inspections in an academic semester:
      1. Can earn a failing grade for the course and and/or be considered for not returning to JROTC for the next LET level.
      2. The uniform may be turned in and the cadet will receive a zero (0) for all remaining Uniform Inspections.
      3. Cadets will be reduced to the rank of Private. 

• If you send the uniform to the cleaners, please plan to have it ready for wear on your uniform day. The uniform being at the cleaners, is not an excuse to miss uniform day/inspection. Cadets are issued the uniform at no cost to their parents, guardian, or the school; but the cost for laundry and dry cleaning are the responsibility of the cadets while issued the uniform. 

• The uniform belongs to the US Army; any uniform items that are lost, stolen or damaged require reimbursement to the United States Government. 

• The uniform worn by the cadets is an authorized military uniform and as such veteran members in the community expect to see the uniform worn properly and the cadets to present a neat, well-groomed appearance while in the uniform. 

Cadets not willing to conform to JROTC standards as outlined above and by Cadet Command Regulation 145-2 will have the uniform taken from them and receive a grade of zero for each uniform grade remaining in the school term.  Uniforms are issued at government expense and will be turned in at the end of the course in the same condition as issued (less fair wear).  

At the end of the school year, uniforms are to be dry cleaned and turned in on a specified date (usually in April/May).  Recommend that they are taken to VIP Cleaners (beside Little Pigs) for dry cleaning.  Alterations are done when issued at no charge to cadets.   Proper wear and appearance of the uniform will be taught to cadets.  It is their responsibility to maintain and wear the uniform correctly.  Any lost uniform items will be charged to Cadet at current government pricing. 

DISENROLLMENT:  At the discretion of the Senior Army Instructor, and with the approval of the school’s administration, a cadet will be disenrolled or excluded from attendance, as appropriate.  In all cases, a cadet will be considered for disenrollment when he or she—Exhibits an indifference to and/or a lack of interest in citizenship and leadership training as demonstrated by—

1. Frequent absences or persistent tardiness from class or drill.

2. Repeated failure to wear uniform on designated days.

3. Failure to adhere to established personal grooming standards.

4. An established pattern of shirking responsibility, including failure to participate in unit events or community/school support activities, such as parades and organizational fundraising events.

COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH:  LET-1/9th Grade students are required to take Comprehensive Health (Human Sexuality) under the South Carolina Comprehensive Health Act (CHEA).  This requirement is part of a broader effort to address various health challenges and equip high school students with knowledge and skills in areas such as growth and development, reproductive health, and sexual responsibility.  This curriculum aims to foster informed decision-making and responsible behaviors among students, contributing to healthier communities.  The Comprehensive Health classes will be taught through and can be found in Canvas.

Although these classes are highly recommended by the School District of Oconee County and the State of South Carolina, you may request that your child be exempted from any or all parts of these classes by completing and returning a provided form to the JROTC Instructor. Your child will not be penalized for nonparticipation, but he/she will be required to do substitute academic/research work in another area of health.  If this form is not returned, your child will be placed in the class.

JROTC REGISTRATION FEE:  There is a $15 registration fee per year (not each semester). This fee helps cover the cost of transportation, shirts, and food throughout the year for before/during/after events and competitions.

CLASSROOM RULES, PROCEDURES, AND EXPECTATIONS:  Compliance with JROTC classroom rules and procedures is expected.  Additionally, all Seneca High School rules, regulations, and procedures will be enforced.  

JROTC Cell Phone Policy will match the school district cell phone policy.

MATERIALS:  Cadets will be issued all required uniforms and equipment.  All instructional materials are furnished by the US Army Cadet Command at no cost.

GRADING & ASSESSMENT:  Because of the performance-based nature of the JROTC curriculum, cadet grades will be determined utilizing on the following formula:

MAJOR: 60% PARTICIPATION (Service Learning Projects, Veterans Day Parade, Military Ball, Continuous Improvement Plan, Merits/Demerits, Class Projects, Cadet Challenge and Uniform Inspections) 

MINOR: 40% PERFORMANCE (Drill & Ceremony Assessment, Army Physical Readiness Training Assessment, Cadet Portfolio, Curriculum Lesson Exercises, Tests, and Quizzes)

Assessment of degree of participation and performance will be subjective and based upon observation by Army Instructors. JROTC is performance based.  Homework assignments will be limited to reading and writing assignments and/or special projects.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:  

Archery Team

Color Guard

Drill Team

Drone Team
Leadership / Academic Bowl Team

Raider Team
Rifle Team

While not a requirement for successful completion of JROTC, extracurricular activities are an important part of our overall program. Extracurricular activities give students the opportunity to be productive members of a group and to develop teamwork and leadership skills needed later in life. The members of the JROTC special teams attend JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC), march in local parades, or take part in various fund-raising activities and community service. All of the Bobcat Battalion Special Teams are competitive and compete in competitions throughout South Carolina. Each of the teams practice before or after school several days each week during their season. Some competitions occur on Saturday. Both males and females may participate in all JROTC extracurricular activities.

PARENTAL CONTACT PROCEDURES:  Parents may contact Army Instructors as indicated below.  Conferences may be requested during planning periods or after school.

Senior Army Instructor: LTC (Ret) Henry E. Delacruz

Tel: (864)718-5460

E-mail:  hdelacruz@sdoc.org

Army Instructor: SFC (Ret) Leo Guzman

Tel: (864)718-5471

E-mail:  lguzman@sdoc.org

Welcome to the Bobcat Battalion!