About Us

Our Mission: To motivate young people to become better citizens

McKinley High School JROTC History

 The McKinley High School JROTC unit was formed in December 1921 and is the oldest Hawaii public school unit. In 1922, the unit was initially organized into a cadet regiment which included a band and drum bugle corps. In 1923, McKinley JROTC cadets gave a demonstration before Governor Farrington and the Territorial Legislature where the Governor presented the school’s regimental colors as a part of the ceremony. By 1924, the unit had formed rifle teams and officers clubs, selected Sponsor Corps Honorary Cadets, and regularly conducted ceremonies and parades. JROTC enrollment reached its highest point in 1934 with 2,200 cadets.

JROTC was discontinued in McKinley during World War II and then reactivated in 1945, the cadet corps was reviewed by General Dwight D. Eisenhower when he visited Hawaii in 1947.  The JROTC achieved its first Honor Unit rating in 1949, the highest rating at the time and has consistently remained a Honor Unit with Distinction throughout the years. During the school year 1966-1967, JROTC was no longer mandatory for all physically fit males. In school year 1967-1968, enrollment dropped to 250 cadets when the State School Board made JROTC an elective subject and retired military personnel were employed as JROTC instructors. In 1973, females were allowed to be cadets in JROTC. McKinley’s first female Battalion Commander was C/LTC Melody Page in 1979.

Many of McKinley cadets are war heroes including World War II Medal of Honor recipient, the late U.S. Senator, Honorary Daniel Inouye (class of 1942) and Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Leroy Mendonca (class of 1950), Distinguished Service Medal recipient Lieutenant Colonel Richard Sakakida (class of 1936)- and many other distinguished and exemplary citizens. 

Today, the program is still an elective, organized as the Tiger Battalion. Our mission is “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens.”  We are proud to be a part of McKinley High School’s legacy of Pride and Tradition.