NJROTC Program Notes

Fraternization

  • Fraternization is defined as an inappropriate relationship between a superior and a subordinate.
  • This can occur between a boss and an employee, or a teacher and a student.
  • Such relationships can lead to favoritism or discipline problems.
  • Cadet officers should avoid dating subordinates and friendships that could be perceived as unfair.
  • While NJROTC rules aren't as strict as the Navy's, maintaining fairness is crucial.
  • Hazing, discrimination, sexual harassment, and fraternization violate the Navy Core Values.
  • Adhering to these values prevents such behaviors.
  • Honor discourages hazing or harassment.
  • Courage helps resist peer pressure and avoid misbehavior.
  • Respect diminishes the appeal of negative behaviors.

Practicing the Navy Core Values

  • Mastering Core Values requires conscious effort and isn't instinctive.
  • Acronym LATAR aids in mastering Core Values:
    • Learn: Know Core Values and their contribution to Navy readiness.
    • Adopt: Internalize values and live by them always.
    • Think: Recognize when Core Values are compromised; speak up against inappropriate comments.
    • Act: Apply Core Values in dealings with peers and leaders; report illegal activities.
    • Reevaluate: Assess alignment with Core Values and identify areas for improvement.
  • Core Values help navigate moral or ethical gray areas.
  • Examine behavior for honorability and commit to change if necessary.
  • Have the courage to address questionable behavior in fellow cadets to prevent escalation.
  • The Naval Science curriculum covers eight major areas over four years, complementing the Navy's Core Values.
  • The curriculum is customized by each school to meet specific needs.
  • It balances classroom studies, military activities, physical fitness, and orientation trips.

Year One

  • Cadet Field Manual
  • Introduction to NJROTC

Year Two

  • Maritime History
  • Leadership

Year Three

  • Naval Knowledge
  • Leadership

Year Four

  • Leadership Theory
  • Leadership Laboratory

Team Activities

  • NJROTC units compete in military drill, marksmanship, color guard, and academics.

Cadet Field Manual

  • The Cadet Field Manual is a guide to success in NJROTC.
  • It covers uniform wear and care, rates, ranks, ribbons, and personal appearance standards.
  • It also explains military customs and courtesies, including saluting.
  • Mastering these standards allows confident participation and helps others understand conduct codes.

Introduction to the NJROTC Program

  • The course explains the program's background, purpose, goals, and objectives.
  • It builds study and time-management skills useful in all aspects of life.
  • It provides tools for success as a community member and citizen.

Responsible Citizenship

  • Learning how to be a cadet includes acting as a responsible citizen.
  • Comparison of different government forms over the past century.
  • Study of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
  • Exploration of how these documents affect individual lives.
  • Role of armed forces in a democracy; organization and role of the Defense Department.
  • Introduction to Navy ships, aircraft, and weapon systems.
  • Basic principles and theories of leadership and followership.

Maritime History

  • Navies have been an important part of life for thousands of years.
  • Knowledge of famous battles like the fight between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia.

Requirements for continued participation in NJROTC

  • Enrolled as a regular student in Grades 9 through 12.
  • Citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.
  • Sufficiently fit to participate in physical education program.
  • Selected by the NJROTC instructor with the approval of the school principal
  • Acceptable grades in school
  • Maintain acceptable standards of conduct
  • Meet NJROTC personal-grooming standards.

Standards for Disenrollment

  • Failure to maintain academic standards.
  • Poor behavior or lack of aptitude.
  • Leaving school (dropping out or moving).
  • Cadet's own request.
  • Physical conditions, such as injury or inability to meet fitness standards.
  • A goal of NJROTC is to instill citizenship values through the Navy's Core Values.
  • Values are deeply held beliefs learned from family, faith, school, friends, community, and country.
  • Values affect thoughts, feelings, and behavior, guiding difficult decisions.
  • Compromised values can lead to lawless or unethical behavior.
  • The Navy's Core Values are emphasized to avoid apathy and ignorance.

Definition of Navy Core Values

  • Honor: Accountability for professional and personal behavior; mindfulness of serving fellow Americans.
  • Courage: Moral and mental strength to do what is right, even in the face of temptation or adversity.
  • Commitment: The duty of every member to improve their unit, fellow cadets, classmates, and themselves.

Behaviors That Detract From Navy Core Values

  • Four patterns of behavior detract from the Navy Core Values: hazing, discrimination, sexual harassment, and fraternization.
  • Young people are vulnerable to peer pressure, which can lead them to do foolish things.
Hazing
  • Any conduct that causes suffering or exposure to cruel, abusive, humiliating, oppressive, demeaning, or harmful activity.
  • Hazing has no place in NJROTC.
Discrimination
  • Denying equal treatment based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or other differences.
Sexual Harassment
  • Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, or the creation of an atmosphere of fear and distrust.

History and Background of the NJROTC Program

  • The JROTC program enrolls students in more than 3,000 programs worldwide.
  • The JROTC program was the brainchild of Army inspector Lt Edgar R. Stevens.
  • The JROTC program began with the signing of the National Defense Act of 1916.
  • The first JROTC at Leavenworth High School in Kansas in 1917.
  • The JROTC Vitalization Act of 1964 allowed other service branches to offer JROTC.
  • The first Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC) units began in 1966.
  • In 2009 Congress added a section to the law that provided for the establishment of the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC).
  • Today there are more than 620 NJROTC and NNDCC units.
  • The JROTC Vitalization Act charges the Secretary of the Navy with the maintenance and continued support of the NJROTC program.
  • The Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) was established to manage funding and personnel.
  • The program's headquarters office is also in Great Lakes, Illinois.
  • Area Managers control the NJROTC's areas of operation.
  • Unit managers, or NJROTC instructors.

NJROTC Instructors

  • NJROTC instructors must be certified by the Navy.
  • They are retired Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel.
  • Senior Naval Science Instructors (SNSI) are retired officers in charge of the individual programs.
  • Naval Science Instructors (NSI) are retired officers or senior enlisted who assist the SNSIs.
  • The Naval Service Training Command certifies instructors based on their active-duty records in positions of responsibility.
  • Some instructors also have experience as teachers and counselors.

Resources Provided

  • The Navy provides textbooks, computers, audio-visual equipment, uniforms and other materials.
  • Each unit also receives equipment for extracurricular activities like color guard, drill team, and marksmanship.
  • There is funding for orientation trips to military bases.

Joint Effort

  • The NJROTC program is a joint effort of the US Navy and local school systems.
  • Instructors work for the principals of their schools.
  • Local educators administer the NJROTC and NNDCC units.

The NJROTC's Mission, Goals, and Policies

  • The JROTC program's mission is to instill in students the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.

Goals of the NJROTC program

  • Promote patriotism.
  • Develop informed and responsible citizens.
  • Promote habits of orderliness and precision.
  • Develop a high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, self-discipline, and leadership.
  • Promote an understanding of the basic elements and requirements for national security.
  • Develop respect for and an understanding of the need for constituted authority in a democratic society.
  • Provide incentives to live healthy and drug-free lives.
  • Develop leadership potential.
  • Promote high school completion.
  • Provide information on the military services as a possible career.

Focus on the Cadet

  • The focus of the NJROTC program is on you.
  • Opportunities assist in improving yourself and your fellow cadets.
  • Learn the Core Values of honor, courage, and commitment.
  • Mastering military skills gives confidence and pride.
  • Community service allows playing a role in community development.
  • There is opportunity to lead and to teach fellow cadets.