FAQ
General JROTC
Course Selection
Extracurricular Activities
Uniforms
PT
- Is there a military obligation?
- There is no military obligation after joining JROTC, although a lot of cadets join JROTC because they want to join the military.
- Why do so many students in JROTC plan to go into the military?
- A lot of JROTC cadets enter the program already planning on going into the military. Other cadets get a taste of the military structure and discipline and decide the military could be a good choice for them.
- What do you learn in JROTC?
- The weekly JROTC schedule is three days of academic work (Monday through Wednesday), one uniform and drill day (Thursday), and one physical training day (Friday). The JROTC curriculum covers basic military structure, first aid, finance, leadership, and much more. Everything taught in JROTC has real life applications.
- What will I get out of JROTC?
- The mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to become better citizens. JROTC teaches responsibility, leadership, and respect through hands-on learning. Most cadets find that they create great friendships with the people in their platoon (class period) and bonds that last long after high school is over. JROTC is a program, but the Soaring Eagle Battalion is a family.
- What are the requirements to join JROTC?
- JROTC is an elective course, so there are no special requirements needed. We just ask for your effort and dedication!
- Can girls join?
- Of course! As of right now, almost 40% of our battalion is female.
Course Selection
- Where do I find JROTC on the course selection sheet?
- JROTC is under the section, “AJROTC LEADERSHIP.” Students joining the program for the first time should select, “Ed. & Trng. I.”
- What graduation requirements does JROTC fulfill?
- Visual, Practical, Performing Arts
- What is a LET Level?
- LET stands for Leadership Education and Training. It is how we separate the levels of the program. First years in the program are referred to as LET 1’s, second years are LET 2’s, and so on.
Extracurricular Activities
- What extracurricular activities are offered through JROTC?
- The Soaring Eagle Battalion has a Drill team, a minimum of two Color Guards, a Raider Challenge team, Academic and Leadership teams, a Cadet Challenge team, and staff/leadership opportunities (read more about our teams at the top of this page under the tab “Teams”).
- How much time does JROTC take?
- Since JROTC is an elective course, you will be scheduled a class period for JROTC as you would any other course. All JROTC extracurriculars are optional and you may join as many or as few as you like and that will fit in with your schedule.
- Will JROTC interfere with sports/clubs/band/etc?
- No, we have cadets in all of those areas and many more!
Uniforms
- How much does JROTC cost?
- Since JROTC is a high school course, there is no cost other than uniform dry cleaning throughout the school year. Uniforms are loaned to students when they enroll and are returned before they graduate or leave the program.
- How often do you wear your uniform?
- Uniforms are worn once a week, typically on Thursdays. Uniform days are two grades. One is a homework grade for uniform preparation and the other is a test grade for having every piece of the uniform.
- Do I have to cut my hair?
- All cadets will be expected to meet standards of appearance when in uniform. The standards for males is natural colored hair, no “unique” styles, and your hair may not touch the collar of the uniform or hang over the ear. Females are also expected to have natural colored hair and put their hair in a bun that is low enough that the beret can be worn, but high enough that the hair does not touch the uniform collar.
- Are the uniforms hard to take care of?
- No, uniforms are easy to maintain as long as they are kept in a safe place away from children and pets when you are not wearing them. Uniforms should dry cleaned as needed.
- How do you earn awards?
- Each award has different criteria. Awards can be earned by signing up for events, having good grades, or having high scores on PT tests.
PT
- What is PT?
- PT stands for Physical Training. Our Battalion’s PT day is Friday. On Fridays, cadets will go to the gym and change into PT uniforms (PT uniforms are issued at the beginning of the school year) then meet back in the mods unless otherwise stated. There, cadets will do various exercises such as pushups, situps, and much more. When the weather is nice, PT is often held outdoors on the track or the football field.
- Do you do a lot of pushups?
- The only time cadets do pushups is during PT on Fridays. The number of pushups varies, but it is never more pushups than cadets are able to handle.