Jupiter Award Ceremony 2025

Leadership, energetic, motivation, grit, endurance, team work, courage, intestinal fortitude, agility, and compassion are just a few words that can describe a Jupiter Army JROTC Cadet.  Becoming a leader can be extremely challenging and complicated.  If you have what it takes and would like to display your leadership talents, or you want to learn how to lead a group of extremely competent and dedicated cadets, join JROTC.  No matter your goals after high school, the program will help you focus on you short term and long term goals.  In addition, it will help you figure out your after high school plans.  Whether it’s going to college, going to a trade school, joining any one of the military branches we can assist and help. 

                                     Highest Flyer: CLTC Joslyn Riddle                                                                                                      Most Stable Flyer: Dr Iannitti

JROTC History, Mission & Vision

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a four-year program resulting from the National Defense Act of 1916. America was preparing for World War I and needed a steady stream of qualified male teenage candidates who could enlist in military service as soldiers and officers in the U.S. Army. The program served the needs of the nation and various communities so well that it continued and is still going strong today.

Under the 1964 Vitalization Act, Congress expanded the Army JROTC program to include all military branches – Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force. At this time, Congress also authorized replacing active duty personnel who served as instructors with retired military service personnel from active duty and the Reserves and National Guard instead. The next biggest change occurred in 1973 when women were allowed to participate in JROTC programs.

The stated mission of JROTC is “motivating young people to be better citizens.” The vision of this Congress-mandated program is “to provide quality leadership, character, and leadership development while fostering partnerships with communities and educational institutions.”

Many students think JROTC is a military preparation program, but as you can see, its mission and vision don't state that. Since the beginning, the purpose of the JROTC program has been to teach cadets leadership, geography, civics, health, global awareness, life skills, and U.S. history. With this focus on leadership, core values, abilities, and self-discipline, cadets are better positioned to function in life itself, even if they never go into the military.

 Using JROTC to Pay for College

Another big benefit to joining JROTC and ROTC is the financial aid these programs offer. Cadets can take full advantage of various scholarships to cover the cost of college. There are two main ways JROTC can help you pay for higher education:

School-Specific Scholarships

JROTC cadets can start earning school-specific scholarships as early as 9th grade. These scholarships cover the cost of an education at 260 different colleges. Select schools offer up to $6,000 for each year in a JROTC program. Cadets in leadership roles can get an additional $3,375 per year. And the best part – there isn't an application process. The funds are automatically added to the student's financial aid package for the selected participating college.

Students can also apply for outside scholarships, and because of the program's leadership training, JROTC cadets have an advantage over other applicants. JROTC graduates are better prepared to study, take tests, set goals, and focus on the task at hand – all qualities that colleges are looking for in scholarship recipients. And because these scholarships are awarded by the schools themselves, there's no service commitment (e.g. no military service requirement or any requirement to join ROTC in college).

ROTC Scholarships

ROTC, the next step after JROTC, also offers tuition assistance. These scholarships are awarded by the military branch of the ROTC, which means they're not restricted to a specific ROTC unit or college. They do, however, carry a military service requirement. All military service requirements incur an eight-year commitment, part of which is equal to the length of the scholarship. For example, acceptance of a four-year ARMY ROTC scholarship requires serving on active duty in the Army for four years. The remaining four years of the eight-year commitment are in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR).