Pemberton Township High School

JROTC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

What is JROTC? JROTC is a citizenship awareness, confidence building, and leadership development academic curriculum accredited course sponsored by the United States Army. Our mission is to Motivate Young People to Become Better Citizens.  JROTC builds discipline, confidence and belief in the cadets that they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to. The course stresses good grades in school, school involvement, and community service in a hands-on, positive environment.

What will I learn? As a cadet, you will develop responsibility skills for yourself, fellow cadets, and feel as if you a part of a team. Our classes include Citizenship and Government, Leadership Development, Health and Wellness, Oral Presentation, Writing, and Study Skills, Physical Fitness, and Drug Abuse Awareness.

Who teaches the classes? The Senior Army Instructor is a retired active duty US Army Officer, and the Army Instructor is a retired active duty US Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer with over twenty years of experience each in active military service. Both instructors have college degrees and are qualified as certified licensed teachers within the state of New Jersey. The instructors are equal, integral members of the school’s faculty.

Is JROTC a regular credited class? Yes. Each year taken in JROTC will earn one full credit.  Starting in School Year 2022-2023, JROTC will count towards PE credit!

How can JROTC prepare me for college or help me in school? The course stresses individual discipline, responsibility, and good grades in other classes as well as JROTC. Success in JROTC correlates directly to success in other classes. Cadets involved in JROTC activities stay in school, graduate on time, and have goals for follow-on careers or education. The instructors focus on the importance of good grades, positive behavior in school and at home, goal setting, and provide guidance to the cadets for future success upon graduation.

Is JROTC just a regular classroom course? No. Most of our classes are hands-on focused and relate to life and societal skills. Classes are filled with activities that strengthen cadet confidence and allow for interaction with the other cadets and instructors.

Do I have to join the military after high school? Absolutely Not. We are not a recruiter for the armed forces. There is no military obligation or commitment to join the armed services. Many cadets, however, enjoy the military discipline and structure JROTC brings to them, and they want to continue that structure after graduation and join the service. Other cadets may win appointments to one of the service academies or earn a ROTC scholarship to a university. Cadets who do enlist may enter the service at a higher rank and pay grade.

Will I have any fun? If you don’t, it will be because you chose not to participate and get the most out of your experience. Our cadets love our physical fitness program and the well-being they feel from participating on JROTC teams and activities. The cadets in our program feel like a large family that accomplishes many successes. 

Will I need to buy anything? No. The uniforms, textbooks, insignia, and instructional materials are provided by the Army and through school and program fund-raising. If cadets lose, break or destroy an issued item, they will need to pay to replace it. Occasionally, the cadets may want to purchase team T-shirts to display their pride and school spirit. The competitions and trips taken by the program are funded through the Army, the school, and the program.

Will I have to wear a uniform? Yes. Each cadet must wear a standard US Army dress uniform one day per week. The cadets will wear the uniform to school, at school all day, and home from school. Remaining in uniform properly is an expectation of successful membership in the program.

Do I have to cut my hair? Yes. You must meet the grooming standards as outlined in the Army regulations for proper wearing of the uniform. This includes shaving for all males, and hair off the collar and off the face for females. Proper grooming in uniform is an integral component in presenting a sharp, professional appearance. Exceptions will be made for religious and cultural customs.

Can I wear jewelry? There are restrictions while in uniform on the type of jewelry authorized. When not in uniform, the school’s dress policy applies. The instructors will explain the proper procedures to each cadet.

Is the uniform hard to care for? Not really. Just like any other suit of nice proper clothing, it requires regular dry cleaning and proper hanging and storage after wear. The uniform is issued to each cadet cleaned, and the cadet is responsible for its upkeep and cleanliness until it is returned at the end of the year.

Will other students make fun of me in uniform? They may, but those are usually the students who are not involved in any activities at school or have a low opinion or no confidence in themselves. Our cadets feel a special bond with each other in the program and look extremely sharp in their uniforms on inspection days. The teachers at school are extremely supportive of our program and give proper praise and recognition to the cadets in their class.

Do females have as many opportunities? Absolutely. Both males and females have the same opportunities for promotion, awards, or any activity or team in the program. Males and Females are equally considered for all of the duty positions and leadership opportunities. Good Leadership knows no gender!

What do the cadet leaders do with us? The upper class cadet leaders act as an extension of the instructors’ authority. They act as assistant instructors, drill leaders, inspectors, tutors, and mentors for the young cadets. They have previously experienced everything the younger cadets have gone through and learned the same lessons.

What are the JROTC teams I hear so much about? Our teams are all voluntary extra-curricular activities much like the varsity team sports offered by the school. The teams are Drill Team, Raider Adventure Training and Color Guard. Each team is cadet led, run, selected and instructor supervised or mentored. The cadets organize the team and train for competitions we participate in throughout the school year. Joining a team requires an additional commitment by the cadet in time, effort, and dedication, but the rewards are so much more important. The teams train and practice after school or before school, and most of their competitions or performances are on weekends or in the evening.

Do I have to join a team? No. However, the cadets who are on the teams tell us that is where they learn the most and experience the best of JROTC. They enjoy the teamwork and comradeship of membership in a special group of cadets.

Do we go places? The teams compete against other high school JROTC programs at a variety of locations. Each team has 3-5 competitions a year. The competitions are like varsity sports contests in that we compete with our best against their best. We travel to the competitions in school buses or our schools activity buses. Parents are always welcome to attend and watch you compete.

Can I play a school sport or marching band and still be in JROTC and on a team? Yes. We have several members of the school’s sports teams and marching band in JROTC. When you join a sports team or marching band, you must commit to their practice and performance schedule during that particular activity’s season. We will work with you to allow you to attend our team meetings. After the sport or band season is over, you may participate fully on a JROTC team.

How do we get promoted and earn awards? Promotions and awards are presented for good grades and performance in school and JROTC. Teams also earn awards and recognition. Basically, by maintaining good grades, staying out of trouble in school, and following the instructors’ guidance, you will reap the benefits and rewards of promotion and recognition.

What are the physical fitness activities? We will conduct physical training periodically during class. Cadets must bring PT clothing and shoes to school to change into. The instructors allow time for the cadets to change clothes. Training includes stretches, calisthenics, running and team fitness activities. We also learn and practice close order marching drills utilizing the US Army drill regulations. Classes are formed into platoons and squads to conduct the drills or exercises. All activities are cadet led and instructor supervised.