Please watch the video below to get a sneak peek of what JROTC is about at Williams, McMillen, and Plano East Senior High.

Welcome to the Plano East Panther Battalion Website. This is the official website of the JROTC program for Plano East Senior High School. The Panther Battalion consists of cadets from three schools: Plano East Senior High, Williams High School, and McMillen High School. The program was created in 1981, and the Battalion has sustained the Honor Unit with Distinction (Gold Star) for 26 years, since 1993, meaning it is in the top 10% of all Army JROTC battalions around the world. There are 1,741 Army JROTC programs around the world. Only 174 programs are allowed to wear the Honor Unit with Distinction.

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools and was originally created as part of the National Defense Act of 1916 and later expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act. The mission of JROTC is to motivate students to become better citizens. However, the mission of the Panther Battalion is to provide, in cooperation with parents and the community, a quality, caring, educational environment that acts as a medium for the development of responsible, ethical, and motivated graduates who are: critical thinkers, self-motivated adults, creative problem solvers, sensitive to cultural diversity, productive citizens and leaders, and able to adapt in a rapidly changing world. The program doesn't require any military service. It also promotes:

• Development of citizenship and patriotism

• Development of self-reliance and responsiveness to all authority

• Improvement of the ability to communicate well both orally and in writing

• Development of an appreciation of the importance of physical fitness

•  Respect for the role of the U.S. Armed Forces in support of national objectives

The JROTC curriculum focuses on teaching cadets lifelong skills, leadership, and the values of good citizenship and community involvement. The Panther Battalion participates in community events and assists other organizations such as the Solstice Senior Living Plano, Plano Police Department, Raytheon McKinney, and Minnie's Food Pantry.

The Panther Battalion is divided into five companies: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Headquarters. The companies are further split into two sections: Upper Classmen (Juniors and Seniors) and Lower Classmen (Freshmen and Sophomores). This site will highlight the leadership in each company. There are also extracurricular activities offered in the battalion through the Panther Battalion Special Teams. There are eight teams in the Battalion:

• Drill Team

• Color Guard

• CyberPatriot

• PT Team

• Robotics Team

• Academic Team

• Leadership Team

• Drone Team