Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Program Program Improvement and Innovation Plan

Relevant details and data for the JROTC Program.

Program Overview

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program is:

  • Supported by the Army, Air Force, Marines, or Navy.
  • Offered to students in grades 9-12.

The specific military branch contracts with the individual school and the school system to offer this program. The programs are led by instructors who are retired from active or reserve duty. The instructors are trained and qualified by the military to teach and mentor cadets.

The JROTC program provides a four-year program of instruction that emphasizes:

  • Academic preparation
  • Citizenship
  • Leadership
  • Character development
  • The scope and nature of the particular military service branch

Each military service offers a JROTC program to instill values of citizenship and service to the country. Students are motivated to become better citizens and develop a sense of personal responsibility and accomplishment. A rigorous curriculum provides content and authentic learning experiences that are relevant to 21st century education. It incorporates Portrait of a Graduate skills by requiring cadets to:

  • Collaborate
  • Reflect
  • Develop critical thinking skills
  • Integrate content with other disciplines

Curriculum

The curriculum includes lessons in:

  • Leadership
  • Health and wellness
  • Physical fitness
  • First-aid
  • Geography
  • American history and government
  • Communications
  • Emotional intelligence

JROTC programs provide cadets with co-curricular activities to allow for hands-on experiences and demonstrations of attainment of lesson outcomes. These activities can include:

  • Precision and exhibition military drill competitions
  • Air rifle competitions
  • Raider Challenge competitions
  • JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl
  • STEM Camp
  • JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (physical fitness competition)

Scope of Impact 

JROTC is offered to students in grades 9-12.

School YearSchool LevelNumber of SitesNumber of Students Served
2021-22HS8814
2022-23HS8812
2023-24 (projected)HS8870

Goals, Actions, and Measures

2023-24 Goal 1

Increase access to and enrollment in JROTC programs by at least 7% by the end of the 2023-24 school year (SY).

Actions

  • Schools with JROTC programs will begin serving students in schools without JROTC programs where possible in order to increase equity and access.
  • Promotional activities in the middle schools and community outreach activities will be conducted by the programs in order to increase awareness, participation, and enrollment.

Measure

Number of school sites served by the eight JROTC programs and number of students enrolled.

2023-24 Goal 2

Increase student participation in leadership development and co-curricular opportunities by at least 10% during the 2023-24 SY.

Actions

  • JROTC programs will increase their partnerships with the community; including mentoring at elementary and middle schools in their pyramid and region, community service hours, and cross-curricular activities (i.e. criminal justice).
  • The program manager for JROTC programs will begin collecting an annual report from each JROTC program that will include their community service and co-curricular activities.

Measures

  • Number of activities and students participating.
  • Percentage of programs and students participating.