JROTC FAQ

What is the Difference between Officer & Enlisted Leaders? 

Commissioned officers in the Army give enlisted personnel -- including non-commissioned officers -- the orders upon which they act to conduct the Army's business. They include first and second lieutenants, captains, majors, colonels, lieutenant-colonels, and generals. Non-commissioned officers can assist officers to determine the specific tasks necessary to complete a mission or project. The non-commissioned officers then ensure the tasks necessary to the commission are completed. For example, a U.S. Army lieutenant, who is a commissioned officer, might determine that a building requires repainting. He then tells a master sergeant to attend to it. The master sergeant, who is an NCO, details the job to the appropriate enlisted men of lower rank, who paint the deck. There are less officers than enlisted. Duty positions include: Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Commander, and all Staff Officers. 

Non-commissioned officers receive orders from commissioned officers and assign tasks to lower ranking enlisted personnel. They have practical experience dealing with lower-ranking enlisted personnel and can translate the officer's order into specific instructions to complete the job. For example, if an officer instructs an NCO such as a master sergeant that a building needs paint, the master sergeant will communicate the officer's desire to a sergeant first class. The sergeant first class will inspect the area. He might note that the bricks need repair. If so, he tells a staff sergeant in maintenance to repair the problem. The staff sergeant will direct a sergeant to attend to the repair. The sergeant will tell the lowest-ranking NCO, a corporal, to assemble a team of privates and make the repair. Duty Positions include: Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Command Sergeant Major 

The greatest difference between commissioned U.S. Army officers and the Army's non-commissioned officers lies in the level of authority. A commissioned officer can command all enlisted personnel and other officers under his command. A non-commissioned officer cannot command commissioned officers except those placed under his command for training. In JROTC for every 1 Platoon Leader (Officer), there are 20 Enlisted cadets. Of the 20 enlisted cadets approx. 30% are NCOs.

They are similar in that commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers both work for the same employer: the U.S. Army. They are both managers as well. The commissioned officer serves in a senior management role. He has been entrusted with the control of those of lesser rank in the Army, including non-commissioned officers, by virtue of a commission from the President. The non-commissioned officer serves in a middle-management role, receiving orders from officers and ensuring that lower ranking Army personnel carry the orders out as instructed. 

What do I need to enroll?

To enroll, students must have enough credits to qualify as a junior in high school and/or are on track to graduate on time. There is also an age cap consideration, and enrolled students can not turn 20 on or before the first day of school.

I'm a homeschooled student. How do I enroll?

Homeschooled students may request to enroll by calling the school and speak to a counselor.