Frequently Asked Questions
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JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. It is a military regulated high school program whose purpose is to educate high school students in leadership roles while making them aware of the benefits of citizenship.
The mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to become better American citizens.
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No. Students who enroll in JROTC don't join the military. They take a JROTC class for which they receive credit.
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No. There is no commitment to serve in the armed forces if a student goes through the high school JROTC program.
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NO! We do not recruit for the Armed Forces. Less than 4% of the 121,000+ High School JROTC students enlist in the military after graduation; most enroll in college. However, some of our students do elect join one of the military services. If they do join, they enter the service with an accelerated promotion which means an immediate pay raise.
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JROTC instructors are retired from active military service. They are certified to teach JROTC in accordance with published standards from each of the military services (Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force) and, in the case of Wheeler High School, the state of Georgia.
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No. The JROTC course is a leadership and character education program that does not rely on harsh discipline techniques like a boot camp.
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By instilling discipline, respect for self and authority, accepting responsibility, being accountable for their actions, and learning to work as part of a team.
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Leadership and Citizenship: Methods of Instruction, Service Learning, Military History
Organizational Skills: Team Building, Computer Skills, Economics, Personal Finance, Test Preparation, CPR and First Aid
Character Values: Self Discipline, Self Confidence, Ethics, Respect, Courtesy, Punctuality, Grooming, Overcoming Adversity, Self Esteem, Physical Fitness
Conflict Management: Stress Management, Time Management, Managing Peer Pressure
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Life skills!
The development of your personal potential, the enhanced ability to communicate with others, the knowledge and ability to coordinate varied activities, the focused skills to plan, organize and lead group activities and the knowledge and skills to motivate and bring a team together will give the student a distinct advantage in college and beyond. Every student is capable of doing well in this program if they simply cooperate, follow instructions, pay attention in class, read the material, and study a little.
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For every year in the program, students will receive full elective credit towards meeting graduation requirements, depending on what is needed:
3 units of AFJROTC will waive the Health and Personal Fitness graduation requirements
1 course AS200: Science of Flight will count as a 4th science elective.
Cobb county school district offers a four-year AFJROTC curriculum. All students will be granted academic credit toward graduation requirements for successful completion of AFJROTC courses.
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Students in JROTC learn through a unique program that involves both classroom and "live" situations. For instance, a JROTC cadet might be found leading classmates in and outside the classroom. Additionally, we have a lot of fun, take several field trips throughout the year and provide opportunities that cannot be found in other programs.
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Uniforms and training materials are provided by the program, as are the buses that transport cadets to competitions or trips. Cadets are expected to pay for dry cleaning their uniforms. AFJROTC is unique in that cadets participate in fundraising activities that pay for most expenses. Most of the time, not all, the Corps is able to pay for meals etc. at events because of the fundraising activities mentioned. Summer camp is voluntary, selection is limited, and cadets pay a minimal fee for uniform cleaning. An annual JROTC Ball is held, tickets are offered to cadets at a reduced price.
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JROTC uses drill and ceremonies as a well-defined, relatively easy to master training tool. This tool issued to teach and develop teamwork, leadership, instructional skills, attention to detail, bearing, respect for authority and for others, responsibility, and endurance.
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First time students will be required to wear a polo and khaki pants and no grooming standards required (they can have long hair, facial hair, etc.). At any time during the first year, they can “option in” to wearing the uniform. After earning a uniform, cadets are required to wear the JROTC uniform on selected uniform day(s). The uniform is provided by the Air Force and is custom fitted to each cadet. The uniform consists of a pair of trousers, shoes (must be shined), black socks, shirt, lightweight jacket, service coat, blue belt and buckle, a flight cap, and a number of other uniform pieces that make the uniform complete. Cadets earn their rank and awards to put on their uniforms. It is considered an honor to wear the uniform, and cadets wear it with pride. Members of JROTC teams may wear the uniform more often for events and competitions.
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Students wear the uniform to put all cadets on the same level. Any additions to the uniform are ranks and awards that are earned by the individual cadet. They are earned for application of positive traits and principles that will serve you and your community well in the future. Remember, many citizens wear uniforms: McDonalds, Post Office, Police Officers, UPS, etc.
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Yes. All leadership positions are available to both equally.
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Yes, although they are not extreme. There are regulations about the personal appearance of cadets, wearing of the uniform, and even how to address the other military personnel and cadets. For example, males are not permitted to wear an earring(s) in uniform, and females are only allowed one pair of conservative earrings, one earring in each ear. On uniform day, males must have their hair cut so that it does not touch the ears, and female cadets must have their hair up so that it is above their shirt collar.
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There are many awards that cadets can earn for participation and achievement in the program. The school gives some, but others can be awarded by local military organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of Purple Heart, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. These are just a few of the organizations that give awards. All awards have certain criteria, but are open to all who achieve those criteria. Involvement, good leadership traits, and being an active participant of the program are the main requirements.
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In JROTC, being a leader means first being a follower. The curriculum teaches all aspects of being a good follower and being a good leader. Cadets must learn and understand the leadership traits of a good leader. The program encourages practical application in other school activities as well as in JROTC.
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If you want to be in the program, it is as simple as letting your counselor know you want to be in the program. Any student can start JROTC in high school. Eighth grade students are able to sign up when scheduling their ninth grade high school classes. Current high school students are able to sign up when scheduling their sophomore, junior, and senior year classes. All of our classes use a blended curriculum and can sign up at any point in their high school journey.
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Nominations are required for appointment to the three Department of Defense Service Academies: the US Military Academy, the US Naval Academy, the US Air Force Academy. The US Merchant Marine Academy accepts only congressional nominations. The US Coast Guard Academy does not require nominations.
A nomination may have similar requirements to a college application, with deadlines in early fall. Requesting a nomination is separate from the admissions application to each academy. A nomination is not a guarantee of admission to an academy. Many more students will receive a nomination than will eventually be offered an appointment. Complete your nomination requests early – at the end of junior year or the summer before senior year. Don’t wait to find out if you got a nomination to complete your academy admissions application. Additional Categories of Military Academy Nominations
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Units
Students who are actively participating in Junior ROTC may be able to obtain a nomination from their unit, GA-052. Contact Colonel Butler for application information and deadlines. Click here for the powerpoint brief on the USAFA application process.
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To apply for college ROTC scholarships, follow these steps:
Check the eligibility requirements for the specific ROTC program.
Complete the ROTC scholarship application online at the website of your interested military branch.
Submit required materials.
Take the ROTC Basic Physical Fitness Test.
Conduct an interview with the ROTC review board.
Click here for the powerpoint brief on the Air Force ROTC college application process.