Frequently Asked Questions

JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. It is a high school program whose purpose is to educate students in leadership roles while making them aware of the benefits of citizenship. Our mission is: "To Motivate Young People To Be Better Citizens."

JROTC is an elective course and is not required at Randleman High School.

Enrolling is as simple as selecting JROTC on your high school course registration sheet. You can start JROTC at any grade level; you do not have to enroll as a freshman.

All leadership positions, teams, and academic opportunities are available to all Cadets equally.

Absolutely not. We DO NOT recruit for the military.  You have no pressure or obligation to join. However, for those who are interested in a military career, Army JROTC offers significant benefits.

• High School Credit: JROTC counts as a full elective credit for every semester you take it.
  
  

• JROTC/CTE Credential: Cadets scoring at or above the NOCTI criterion-reference cut score on the NOCTI credentialing assessment earn the JROTC Leadership and Employability Skills Credential—a strong verification of their career/job readiness and leadership and employability skills.
  
  

• College Credit: Cadets earning 70% or higher on a the NOCTI JROTC qualifying credential receive a college credit recommendation report that is based on the rigorous assessment of NOCTI’s credentials through the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).
  
  

• College Senior ROTC Credit: Some colleges / universities may grant advanced standing in Senior ROTC programs for high school JROTC graduates.  Note: Discuss with ROTC Department at college / university of choice to see if this applies.
  
  

• Service Academy Nomination: The title of JROTC Honor Unit with Distinction allows the program to directly nominate JROTC Cadets to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis and the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.

• Advanced Enlistment Rank: If you enlist in the military after successfully completing 2 academic years of Junior ROTC, you may enlist at any time at pay grade private E–2; advance sooner & earn more money!  Source: AR 601-210 (Regular Army and Reserve Components Enlistment Program dated 20Mar2026).

JROTC combines classroom instruction with hands-on leadership experience, community service, extra-curricular teams, and social activities. In JROTC, learning to be a leader starts with learning how to be a good follower. The curriculum teaches aspects of being a good follower and being a good leader. The program encourages practical application in other school activities as well as in JROTC.

The Army JROTC curriculum is diverse and varied throughout the year covering topics on:

• Leadership theory and practical application

• U.S. Military History and citizenship basics

• First aid, health, and personal hygiene

• Public speaking and oral communication techniques

• Drill and ceremony, map reading, and orienteering

• Staff functions and procedures, etiquette, and human relations

Our program is led by official members of the faculty who are retired from active military service.  See Instructors page for more detailed information.

When you join JROTC, you start with a clean slate. We will work with you individually to help you improve your personal accountability and citizenship.

Cadets wear their uniforms on specified uniform days, usually once a week.  It is considered an honor to wear the uniform and Cadets wear it with pride.

Cadets must follow standard appearance regulations on uniform days:

• Males: Hair must not touch their ears lengthwise and cannot be longer than two inches on top.

• Females: Hair must be worn up and off the bottom of the collar (such as in a sock bun or pinned back). A ponytail is authorized when wearing OCPs during Raider practice.

• Hair Color: All hair colors and highlights must be of natural tones.

There is no cost to enter the program. Course materials, uniforms, supplies, and equipment are issued by the U.S. Army completely free of charge. Your only regular cost is maintaining and dry-cleaning your uniform. 

Note: Fees may occasionally apply for voluntary field trips, issued equipment/uniforms that are lost/damaged, or specialized personal equipment for a particular team.

JROTC cadets are involved in varsity and junior varsity sports, band, chorus, student government, and other school clubs. JROTC encourages a well-rounded high school experience. You can dedicate as much or as little outside time to JROTC as you choose.

Being a part of our extracurricular teams—such as the Rifle Team, Drill Team, Color Guard, and Raiders—is completely optional.  JROTC is an elective class for those who want to improve their leadership abilities. It is not a requirement to join our teams to be enrolled. The program also offers field trips, JCLC, and other group-sponsored activities. These opportunities are not mandatory for Cadets to participate in.

Cadets earn their rank, ribbons, and medals for participation and achievement to put on their uniforms.  Awards are presented both by our local unit and by national civic organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

• Respect from adults, teachers, and your peers.

• Skills and values that will propel you onto a pathway to lifelong success.

• Genuine friendships based on teamwork and character rather than social status.

• Academic support from a program and instructors who care about your future.