JROTC Basics

Cadet Private 

Cadet Private First Class

Cadet Corporal

Cadet Sargent

Cadet Staff Sargent

Cadet Sargent First Class

Cadet Master Sargent

Cadet First Sargent

Cadet Sargent Major

Cadet Command Sargent Major

Cadet Second Lieutenant

Cadet Frist Lieutenant

Cadet Captain

Cadet Major

Cadet Lieutenant Colonel

Cadet Colonel

All cadets are expected to follow uniform wear policies while enrolled in JROTC. All cadets will be issued an Army Service Uniform (ASU). All cadets will wear either the class B (without jacket) or class A (with jacket) every Tuesday unless directed otherwise. Any cadet that does not have an ASU will be expected to “dress for success” which would include slacks and polo shirt, no T-shirts, shorts or shower shoes/flip flops. All male cadets are required to be clean shaven while in uniform and maintain a “short” haircut. Hair should not fall below the collar of their uniform in the back, fall past mid-ear on the sides or below the eye brows in front. Female cadets will ensure that when in uniform their hair does not fall below the eye brows or below the collar of their uniform. Facial piercings are not allowed while in uniform. Female cadets may wear a single set of round or small “stud” type earrings only. Any cadet who does not abide by uniform policy will be removed from the program. Cadets who refuse to wear or routinely do not wear the uniform will also be removed from the program.

• Uniforms will be issued to new cadets once they meet minimum requirements (see below)

• Uniforms will be exchanged for current cadets during the first two weeks of school.

• Uniforms will be returned upon graduation, transfer from school, removal from class or cadet dropping the class

• Cadets are responsible to maintain and keep track of all uniform components to include routine cleaning. Any lost items must be purchased by the cadet (costs vary according to lost item).

• Cadets can exchange uniform items at any time as long as the item was not damaged from lack of “due” care. e. a zipper breaks on pants, etc.

In-Ranks Inspection Procedure

Opening/Closing Ranks

To conduct in-ranks inspections, use the following procedures:

a. With the platoon in line formation, the platoon sergeant commands Count, OFF. On the command of execution OFF, all personnel with the exception of the right flank personnel turn their head and eyes to the right and the right flank personnel count off with "ONE." After the right flank soldiers have counted their number, the soldiers to their left count off with the next higher number and simultaneously turn their head and eyes to the front. All other members of the formation count off in the same manner until the entire formation has counted off.

b. After the platoon has counted off, the platoon sergeant commands Open Ranks, MARCH. On the command of execution MARCH, the front rank takes two steps forward, the second rank takes one step forward, the third rank stands fast, and the fourth rank takes two steps backward. If additional ranks are present, the fifth rank takes four steps backward, and the sixth rank takes six steps backward.

Basic Guidelines

• The requirement for hair grooming standards is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military population. Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative. It is not possible to address every acceptable hairstyle, or what constitutes eccentric or conservative grooming. It is the responsibility of leaders at all levels to exercise good judgment in the enforcement of Army policy. All cadets will comply with the hair, fingernail, and grooming policies while in any military uniform.

• Leaders judge the appropriateness of a particular hairstyle by the appearance of headgear when worn. Cadets will wear headgear as described in the applicable chapters of AR 670-1. Headgear will fit snugly and comfortably, without distorted or excessive gaps. Cadets may not wear hairstyles that do not allow proper wear of headgear.

• Extreme, eccentric, or trendy haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized. If cadets use dyes, tints, or bleaches, they must choose those that result in natural hair colors. Colors that detract from a professional military appearance are prohibited. Cadets should avoid using colors that result in an extreme appearance. Applied hair colors that are prohibited include, but are not limited to purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright (fireengine) red, and fluorescent or neon colors. It is the responsibility of leaders to use good judgment in determining if applied colors are acceptable, based upon the overall effect on the soldier's appearance.

• Cadets who have a texture of hair that does not part naturally may cut a part into the hair. The part will be one straight line, not slanted or curved, and will fall in the area where the cadet would normally part the hair. Cadets will not cut designs into their hair or scalp.

• Cadets may not wear hairnets unless they are required for health.  

Male Hair Standards

• Male haircuts will conform to certain standards. The hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed. The length and bulk of the hair may not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. The hair must present a tapered appearance. A tapered appearance is one where the outline of the soldier's hair conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural termination point at the base of the neck. The hair will not fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck. The block-cut fullness in the back is permitted to a moderate degree, as long as the tapered look is maintained.

• In all cases, the bulk or length of hair may not interfere with the normal wear of headgear, ropes course safety helmet, or equipment. Males are not authorized to wear braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted, individual parts of hair) while in uniform.  Hair that is clipped closely or shaved to the scalp is authorized.

• Males will keep sideburns neatly trimmed. Sideburns may not be flared; the base of the sideburn will be a clean-shaven, horizontal line. Sideburns will not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening.

• Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform.. Mustaches are permitted. If mustaches are worn, they will be neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth. Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized. If appropriate medical authority prescribes beard growth, the length required for treatment must be specified. For example, "The length of the beard will not exceed ¼ inch." Soldiers will keep the growth trimmed to the level specified by appropriate medical authority, but they are not authorized to shape the growth into goatees, or "Fu Manchu" or handlebar mustaches.

• Males are prohibited from wearing wigs or hairpieces while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty, except to cover natural baldness or physical disfiguration caused by accident or medical procedure. When worn, wigs or hairpieces will conform to the standard haircut criteria.

Female Hair Standards

• Female soldiers will ensure their hair is neatly groomed, that the length and bulk of the hair are not excessive, and that the hair does not present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. Likewise, trendy styles that result in shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline) or designs cut into the hair are prohibited. Females may wear braids and cornrows as long as the braided style is conservative, the braids and cornrows lie snugly on the head, and any holding devices comply with the standards. Dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted individual parts of hair) are prohibited in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Hair will not fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar at any time during normal activity or when standing in formation. Long hair that falls naturally below the bottom edge of the collar, to include braids, will be neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned, so no free-hanging hair is visible. 

• Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are prohibited. Ponytails, pigtails, or braids that are not secured to the head (allowing hair to hang freely), widely spaced individual hanging locks, and other extreme styles that protrude from the head are prohibited. Extensions, weaves, wigs, and hairpieces are authorized only if these additions have the same general appearance as the individual's natural hair. Additionally, any wigs, extensions, hairpieces, or weaves must comply with grooming policies. 

• Females will ensure that hairstyles do not interfere with proper wear of military headgear, ropes course safety helmet, or equipment. When headgear is worn, the hair will not extend below the bottom edge of the front of the headgear or below the bottom edge of the collar.

• Hair-holding devices may be used only for securing the hair. Cadets will not place hair-holding devices in the hair for decorative purposes. All hair-holding devices must be plain and of a color as close to the cadet's hair as is possible or clear. Authorized devices include, but are not limited to, small, plain scrunchies (elastic hair bands covered with material), barrettes, combs, pins, clips, rubber bands, and hair bands. Devices that are conspicuous, excessive or decorative are prohibited. Some examples of prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, large, lacy scrunchies; beads, bows, or claw clips; clips, pins, or barrettes with butterflies, flowers, sparkles, gems, or scalloped edges; and bows made from hairpieces.