FAQ

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps is an elective class offered for up to four years in high school. Topics taught are:

• JROTC Foundations

• Leadership

• Personal Growth and Behaviors

• Team Building

• First Aid

• Decision Making

• Health and Fitness

• Service Learning

• Citizenship and Government

Students also receive one PE credit - a graduation requirement. Students who complete all four years earn the Public Service Endorsement at graduation.

No, they do not have to join the military. The mission of the Carter-Riverside High School JROTC Program is to “Motivate young people to be better citizens.” We accomplish this mission through the use of a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on citizenship, leadership, and the development of foundations for success. JROTC encourages students to pursue their own post-secondary plan, whether it be college, a career, or the military. Students who decide to join the military will join at a higher rank. They also can earn a higher rank in senior ROTC in college. However, there is no obligation to join the military.

While JROTC teaches a myriad of subjects, from leadership to personal behaviors and growth, we have fun teaching, learning, and interacting with each other. Cadets develop a special bond with each other, unlike any other classroom subject.

One of JROTC instructors’ goals is to encourage students to understand the importance of graduating high school and consider college and other educational and employment opportunities, including the military. Students learn how to study, take tests, set goals and use time management skills to be successful while in high school, and afterwards. National statistics show students in JROTC tend to have better attendance, higher graduation rates and higher grade point averages than other students.

Quality Indicators

The following table shows recent FWISD data on how students in JROTC compare to the general school population. Clearly, students who join and remain in JROTC fair better in school than those who do not.

CATEGORY SCHOOL JROTC

Attendance 94.6% 96.8%

Dropout 39 0

Suspension 431 8

GPA 2.6 3.0

ACT 29 32

SAT 846 1320

JROTC Cadets Get a PE credit

One PE credit is required for graduation and JROTC meets that requirement.

JROTC Supports FWISD’s Graduation Plans and Endorsements

FWISD encourages students to pursue the Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) designation upon graduation. In order to earn a DLA designation, a student must successfully complete 4 credits in each of the 4 core subjects, 2 credits in a foreign language, earn an endorsement, and more. Cadets who complete 4 years of JROTC earn the Public Service endorsement upon graduation. Additionally, the 12th grade Honors Course provides ‘Honor Graduate’ (assuming grades meet standard).

JROTC teaches students to think logically and communicate effectively. It helps students understand the importance of graduating high school and introduces them to other educational and employment opportunities.

JROTC Teaches Students to be Leaders

JROTC programs teach students to be leaders. JROTC instructors seek to motivate students to be self-disciplined, respectful and responsible. These soft skills lead to success not only in high school but in college, career, military, and adult life in general. Integrity and personal accountability, traits stressed in JROTC, are among the soft skills students need to compete in a diverse and global workforce.

JROTC Cadets Learn Communication and Other Needed Soft Skills

Students enrolled in JROTC learn to think logically and communicate effectively, both in writing and talking to others. They learn the value of teamwork and how to work cooperatively with others. These soft skills help them thrive in many of today’s in-demand careers, as employers look for these soft skills in employees.

JROTC Promotes Good Citizenship

Carter-Riverside HS’s JROTC program and others focus on encouraging students to be good citizens. Each year, JROTC Cadets plan and conduct a service learning project to better the local community. Additionally, students are encouraged to become involved in the community by volunteering for charity organizations and find other ways to give back to their community. Not only students benefit, but the community does as well, while students learn about citizenship.

JROTC Cadets Enter the Military at a Higher Rank

JROTC Cadets are under no obligation to join the military. However, those that choose to join the military enter the military at a higher rank, which means a higher pay. Completing a JROTC program also helps Cadets advance in the military. Cadets who choose to go to college and can enter a Senior ROTC program at a higher rank. While JROTC is not a military-preparation program, it does have some military overtones. In addition to regularly wearing a military-inspired uniform, there are also classes in physical fitness, drill instruction, military customs and courtesies, and military history – all of which are taught by retired military personnel.

Participating in JROTC teaches students about college and other educational and employment opportunities. JROTC training improves students’ ability to study, take tests, set goals and focus. It stresses leadership, teamwork and effective communication, all skills desired in college students and workers.

All CRHS students are encouraged to apply for scholarships listed on the FWISD College, Career Military Readiness (CCMR) website for 9th through 12th grades. However, through the core abilities developed in Cadets (such as ‘applying critical thinking techniques’ and ‘taking responsibility for your actions and choices’), and because of the program’s leadership training, JROTC Cadets have an advantage over other applicants.

Additionally, all CRHS students can start earning school-specific ‘micro-scholarships’ as early as 9th grade through the FWISD supported app ‘RaiseMe’. These scholarships cover the cost of an education at 380 different colleges. Again, Cadets fare better than their non-cadet counterparts. Select schools offer up to $2,500 for each year a Cadet is in a JROTC program (the average award is $202). Cadets in leadership roles can get an additional $3,375 per year (average award for leadership position is $225). 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. 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). Read more about RaiseMe Micro-scholarships 101 at this link.

One college preparation tool available only to JROTC Cadets is an organization that works independently of JROTC the College Options Foundation - which can help Cadets locate colleges offering credits for completing JROTC.

Finally, there are scholarships available for Senior ROTC Programs as well as nomination opportunities to attend one of the Service Academies (USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, US Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Coast Guard Academy at New London, and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point). While the above Senior ROTC Scholarships and Service Academy appointments are available to all students, JROTC Cadets fare better both in the application process and while in the programs.

The Army Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program prepares students for leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities and privileges as Americans. Students learn about good citizenship and are encouraged to volunteer in their communities. They develop strong ethical values and principles associated with good citizenship.

One of the biggest benefits of participating in JROTC is that it teaches valuable life skills that many Cadets may not learn anywhere else prior to graduating high school. JROTC cadets can gain:

• Leadership skills

• Self-confidence

• Discipline

• Communication and collaborative skills

• College financial planning skills (e.g. how to fill out the FAFSA, how to find and apply for scholarships and grants)

• Community service skills

• Accountability

• Time-management

• Problem-solving skills

JROTC can help high school students stay focused and on track for graduation. And JROTC experiences will benefit Cadets regardless of their desired post-secondary plans - while serving in the military, while in college or in almost any career in the real world.

JROTC teaches Cadets responsibility and helps with part time employment

JROTC is a recognized program on job applications and resumes. The program indicates commitment and focus toward discipline, honesty, trust, accountability and loyalty toward an employer.

Under the current circumstance, there is no uniform requirement. In a normal year, students are expected to wear their uniforms once a week or if they are going to take part in a special event or ceremony. The rest of the week they wear normal clothing. 

JROTC is fully funded by the military services. Students in JROTC receive uniforms, supplies, books and other equipment free of charge. However, there is a fee if a student’s uniform is lost, damaged or stolen.

ROTC Cadets have fun competing on many different teams. They work hard practicing and look forward to the competitions. The sense of camaraderie, teamwork, and accomplishment bring Cadets back into the program year after year. Carter-Riverside JROTC hosts the following teams:

• Raider Team - A competitive team that focuses on physical endurance and conditioning. A Raider Team Competition normally includes the Army Physical Fitness Test, a 10 KM road march with equipment, obstacle course, Land Navigation, and One Rope Bridge Competition.

• Armed Drill Team - A marching unit that performs routines based on military drill.

• Unarmed Drill Team - A team of sharp-looking cadets who can keep an excellent tempo. This team makes different beats and rhythms by marching, stomping, and slapping all while looking great in uniform for their military inspectors.

• Color Guard - A group of four cadets that present the United States and Texas flags at games and ceremonies. For competitions, they are judged on the precision of their movements.

• Robotics Team - Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors, build innovative robots, program autonomous code, and compete among other schools to advance to the JROTC VEX Robotics Competition Change Up Season National Championship at VEX Worlds in 2021.

JROTC programs are often taught by retired Army personnel who have experience working with young people. The Army JROTC program certifies JROTC instructors but the school district hires them.