ADMINISTRATION & ORGANIZATION
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for enrollment and continuance in an MCJROTC unit, the student must:
1. Be enrolled in, and attending, a regular course of instruction at the school where the unit is located.
2. Be a citizen of the United States or U.S. National or alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and in a grade above the 8th grade.
3. Be of good moral character as determined by the principal of the school and the Senior Marine Instructor or Marine Instructor.
4. Be physically qualified to participate fully in the school's physical education program. Current annual school physical evaluations, as stated above, are mandatory for cadet participation in the program.
5. Parent/Guardian approval of enrollment and acknowledgement on upholding program rules & regulations.
DISENROLLMENT
Cadets may be disenrolled from the MCJROTC Program for the following reasons:
1. Academic Failure – You must pass MCJROTC in order to remain a part of it. However, disenrollment is not automatic. Each case is reviewed and handled separately.
2. Ineptitude – Students who consistently demonstrate an inability to develop leadership skills may be disenrolled.
3. Poor Attitude – Any cadet who consistently displays a poor attitude regarding the MCJROTC program may be disenrolled.
4. Conduct – Any cadet who consistently displays inappropriate conduct/behavior, in and outside the classroom, will be disenrolled.
5. Illegal Activities/Substances – Any cadet who engages in illegal activities and/or uses illegal substances, will be disenrolled.
COMPANY ORGANIZATION
The MCJROTC unit at John F. Kennedy is organized as a Company. A company is commanded by a Cadet Lieutenant through Cadet Major and assisted by a Cadet First Sergeant as the principal enlisted advisor. Our company at JFK has five platoons, each led by a platoon commander and assisted by their platoon sergeant. The Company Commander has a staff comprised of third and fourth-year cadets that assist them in managing the day-to-day operations and training of the company.
Chain of Command.
Every military unit has a structure called a Chain of Command. A chain of command is a system of organization that ensures that every person in an organization is properly informed of the task at hand. It also ensures that every member of the organization has the ability to communicate with their leaders at every level.
The purpose of the chain of command is to decentralize authority and to link the different levels of the command from the President of the United States to the Cadet Leaders.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
1. Bring this handbook, notebooks, and pen or pencil to every class.
2. When entering the classroom, go directly to your seat. All socializing will take place during the passing period before and after class.
3. At the bell, 1st Year cadets will be standing at the position attention; upper-class cadets will be called to attention by their platoon sergeant.
4. At the direction of the platoon sergeant or designated representative, the cadets will face the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. All cadets will place their right hand over their heart and recite the Pledge. When in uniform, do not place your hand over your heart.
5. Upon completion of roll call, the class commander will give the command “Ready, seat.” The class will sit at the position of attention until given the command, “Adjust.” The students may relax at their desks, however, no talking is allowed.
6. No food, drink or gum, with the exception of water, is allowed in the classroom area unless authorized by the Senior Marine Instructor or Marine Instructor.
7. Cadets must raise their hand to be recognized.
8. Use rank while addressing or answering the SMI or MI, i.e., Sergeant Major and all cadets of higher rank.
9. Do not interrupt the Senior Marine Instructor or Marine Instructor's conversation. Wait for acknowledgment and then say, "excuse me, SgtMaj." Do not walk into the SMI/MI office; stand on the yellow footprints, knock, and ask permission to speak/enter. If the request is not granted, you are expected to respectfully acknowledge that you understand that your request has been denied.
10. When reporting to the SMI or MI, stand at attention and knock (just once) on the door. When instructed to enter, march in a smart military fashion to a point six inches in front of the instructor's desk, halt, and state “Good morning Sergeant Major, Cadet Private Jones reporting as ordered.” From there, you will be put At Ease.
11. When dismissed, you will be told, "Dismissed." When dismissed, snap to attention, take one step back, give a greeting (Good afternoon SgtMaj), and face about. March out smartly.
12. Check the desk for personal items and trash prior to leaving class. The room will be squared away before leaving. Each class commander will be responsible for orderliness of the classroom prior to dismissing the class, to include removal of personal effects (books, jackets, etc.).
13. When the ending class bell rings, the platoon sergeant will dismiss the class. Once all students are in their seats, the class will be called to attention and “dismissed.” At this time, cadets may depart the classroom for their next class.
14. Uniforms will be worn one day each week, as directed by the SMI. Additionally, cadets will wear JFK MCJROTC PT shirts and shorts, or green sweatshirt as the PT uniform. Cadets are expected to conduct themselves with proper decorum at all times in school, and especially within the MCJROTC spaces.
15. Each cadet is responsible for reading the updates posted on Remind to keep informed on expectations/due dates. Not reading reminders is no excuse for not knowing what is required of you during the next class period.
16. No cadets are allowed in the Armory or Supply Areas without specific approval from the instructors.
17. If a Commissioned Officer walks into the classroom, the first cadet to notice will command, “ATTENTION ON DECK,” followed by a greeting, “GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON SIR/MA’AM.” All cadets present will then repeat the greeting.
18. Platoon leaders will ensure 100% accountability before and after a training event. Prior to movement, a headcount will be reported to the Senior Marine Instructor or Marine Instructor.
ATTENDANCE
Cadets are encouraged to attend all MCJROTC functions. This includes daily classes to extracurricular activities and special events. Cadets should anticipate, as much as possible, when they will not be able to attend an MCJROTC requirement to let their chain of command know in advance. This notification may include a letter or email from their parents, with a phone number or email address, so that the Instructor can reach out for verification of the reason. Remember: attendance impacts grades!
DUTY PLATOON
The duty platoon is a weekly rotation, assigned for the tasks described below. Cadets assigned to but failing to appear and/satisfactorily completing assigned tasks can be subject to immediate disciplinary action. Platoon Commanders are responsible for the execution of all aspects of the duty platoon. Company leaders are responsible for supervising and advising platoon leaders in this responsibility.
Pledge of Allegiance: prior to second period, one Cadet from the duty platoon is assigned to report to the Main Office. The cadet will render a greeting, and introduce themselves: “Good morning, this is Cadet ________ from the MCJROTC program; please stand for the pledge.” The pledge of allegiance will be recited over the PA, just prior to the school announcements.
*when reporting to the front office, be sure to greet any adults present
Cleanup: after each lunch, cadets from the duty platoon will be assigned to wipe down tables, the microwave & refrigerator, and sweep the deck. All chairs will be pushed in, ensuring a tidy appearance prior to 5th period. On Fridays after school, a more detailed cleanup will take place, including the removal/disposal of clutter and gear left behind, as well as a policing of the area outside the classroom. Squad leaders, the guide, platoon sergeant or platoon commander will supervise.
Morning & Afternoon Colors: the Platoon Commander of the Duty Platoon is responsible to the Company Commander for the correct and timely execution of this ceremony. The ceremonial hoisting and lowering of the US flag at 0800 and immediately after school, respectively, shall be accomplished as described below. A detail consisting of three cadets will hoist and lower the flag, with the guide, platoon sergeant or platoon commander and either the CO, XO, 1stSgt or Co GySgt supervising.
Positions of the flag. The flag is flown from the peak of the mast, except when directed to be flown at half-mast. The flag at half-mast is flown, when possible, with the middle point of its hoist opposite the middle point of the mast. To half-mast the flag, it is first hoisted to the peak and then lowered to the half-mast position.
Hoisting the Flag. The detail assigned to hoist the flag is formed in line, with the senior cadet carrying the folded flag in the center. The detail is then marched (5 steps) toward the flagpole, halted, and given the command "Ready, Post." The two cadets on the side take one step forward, and then face in toward the flagpole. The two side cadets, are now on opposite sides of the pole, facing it. The flag is then attached to the halyards. The flag should be pulled sufficiently, prior to the beginning of colors, to ensure the blue field of the US flag is hoisted first. This action precludes the embarrassment of hoisting the flag upside down. The flag is smartly raised. The senior cadet continues to hold the flag until it is hoisted clear of their grasp to prevent it from touching the deck. When the flag is clear (if in uniform), the cadets execute a hand salute, until the flags reach the intended position. If the flag is to be flown at half-mast, they are then lowered slowly to that position. The detail is again formed with the command "Ready, Post," with the two side cadets facing, then taking one step toward the senior cadet. The senior cadet faces about. The detail is then marched back (5 steps), and dismissed. DO NOT FORGET THE HANDLE/RAISING TOOL.
Lowering the Flag. The detail is formed in line, marched to the flagstaff, and the halyards manned in the same manner as for hoisting the flag. The flag is slowly lowered. If at half-mast, it is first hoisted smartly to the peak, and then slowly lowered. The senior cadet catches the flag. The flag is detached from the halyards and folded as prescribed below. The detail is formed, marched back, and dismissed. DO NOT FORGET THE HANDLE/RAISING TOOL.
Folding the flag. The ensign is folded in half the long way so the crease parallels the red and white stripes. It is folded in half again, so the new crease also parallels the red and white stripes with the blue field on the outside of the fold. The lower corner of the fly end (away from the blue field) is folded up to the top so the single (folded) edge lays perpendicular across the stripes. By repeatedly folding along the inboard edge of the triangle, the ensign is folded into the shape of a triangle.
