Army JROTC Abbreviations & Terms

ACU

Army Combat Uniform (formerly OCU)

Class A

upgraded cadet uniform including a tie (for males) and jacket; for formal occasions

Class B

basic cadet uniform; for everyday wear

JROTC

Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps; a program that teaches high school students the values of good citizenship while giving them an intro to the US Army

Cadet

a high school student enrolled in the leadership and citizenship activities through JROTC

Battalion

A military unit made up of two or more companies or batteries and a headquarters that is commanded by a lieutenant colonel, is the smallest unit to have a staff, and is administratively self￾sufficient

National Defense Act

1916 act that created the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), parent of JROTC

Enlisted

Relating to or constituting the part of the military force subordinate to officer

Subordinate

A person lower in rank or grade

Succession

The order of persons next in line for an office or rank that is held by another

Teams

A group of persons approximating one-half of a squad and normally led by a junior noncommissioned officer

Insignia

An emblem, badge, medal, or other distinguishing mark of office, honor, or position; denotes grade and branch; may also indicate capacity and duty assignment in the U.S. Army

Company

A subdivision of a military regiment or battalion that constitutes the lowest administrative unit; usually under the command of a captain and is made up of at least two platoons

Platoons

A subdivision of a company￾size military unit normally consisting of two or more squads or sections; the leader is usually a first lieutenant

Squad

The smallest unit in the Army organization composed of a varying number of personnel, depending on the type of element, and led by a noncommissioned officer

Standards

Widely recognized and expected levels of value or measurement

Chevron

Insignia consisting of stripes meeting at an angle to indicate (enlisted) grade or rank

Gray beret

Headgear that may be worn with the Class A or B uniforms

Shoulder marks

A pair of broad pieces of stiffened cloth worn on the shoulders of the class A or B uniforms to display the insignia of grade. Blank shoulder marks do not display an insignia of grade so that pin-on insignia may be used instead

Non-subdued

Bright and shining, not dull or flat, such as polished brass pin-on insignia

Ferrule

A decorative metal cap attached to the end of a shoulder cord to prevent fraying; a metal ring or cap attached to the end of a staff or handle to give strength or to protect it against splitting

Military awards

Recognition given to

individuals for participating

in JROTC-sponsored

activities, or for leadership excellence