All About JROTC
How did JROTC get its start?
The program has its roots in the National Defense Act of 1916.
- The NDA of 1916 authorized military training in secondary schools.
- Initially known as the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), the program aimed to prepare young Americans for military service while still in high school.
- Following World War I, the ROTC underwent significant expansion. In 1919, the first high school unit was established at Manual High School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Over time, the program evolved to include junior-level training, leading to in 1964.

JROTC's primary purpose is to instill in students the values of citizenship, service to the community, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.
- While military training remains a core component, the program also emphasizes leadership development, character education, and physical fitness.
- Today, JROTC has units in over 1,700 high schools across the United States and its territories.
- These units are sponsored by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps and operate under the guidance of active-duty or retired military instructors.
Participation in JROTC is voluntary, and students who complete the program are not obligated to join the military.
- However, they may benefit if they enlist or pursue a commission.
- Overall, the JROTC program plays a vital role in shaping the lives
