Marine Corps JROTC

A STRONG START

MCJROTC is at its essence a Leadership Education Program meant solely to develop character and citizenship. Although a comprehensive learning environment anchored in a military structure is not for all students, there is a body of defendable academic knowledge that clearly articulates the significant benefit to those that choose to participate. Our curriculum was the first to be nationally accredited under CITA/SACS and is directly linked to National Standards. Student participation in MCJROTC can often be the strong start needed for their high school experience. MCJROTC will springboard the student to becoming the best version of themselves and position them for future success.

OUR MISSION

The MCJROTC program mission is to develop courageous, character driven young adults who possess the attributes of personal responsibility and accountability in order to become model citizens in service to the United States.

BENEFITS OF MARINE CORPS JROTC PROGRAM

Since its inception in 1916, the JROTC program has been viewed as a strong program that provides youth with much-needed skills in citizenship and leadership. Additionally, numerous studies have shown that students who participate in JROTC programs have better attendance, grades, and graduation rates relative to students who were in general academic programs. Principals and school administrators also maintain positive attitudes toward JROTC because these programs:

Motivate students to learn
Foster a disciplined and constructive learning environment
Instill essential skills like time organization, responsibility, goal setting, and teamwork

Qualifications

Citizenship

Physical Fitness

Participation in the MCJROTC also requires that students meet health and physical standards. The MCJROTC physical fitness program conducted throughout the school year. Cadets must have current school physical evaluations certifying that they are physically fit for participation in the program. The MCJROTC fitness program focuses on more than just the physical fitness training aspect; it also provides wellness training to include good nutrition, stress reduction, and total fitness (mind, body, spirit). Enrollment in MCJROTC can replace the fitness elective requirement.

High School Enrollment

Activities

Color Guard

A MCJROTC unit’s Color Guard is often a very active representative of the unit at public events. Whether it’s presenting the American Flag at high school basketball or football games, National Honor Society events, or school board meetings, the MCJROTC Color Guard stands ready to serve its host school. In the community, ILTexas MCJROTC Color Guards perform at parades, ceremonies, and sporting events. Several of our Color Guard units have performed at professional sporting events, including Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL), and Major League Soccer (MLS). Cadets on the Color Guard get tremendous opportunities to showcase their talents, represent ILTexas, and perform a patriotic privilege.

Drill Team

MCJROTC Cadets dedicate countless hours to close order drill proficiency. It is a part of the MCJROTC curriculum as a means of instilling discipline and esprit de corps, and continues to be one of the finest methods for developing Cadet confidence and leadership abilities. Units compete at local, state, regional and national Drill Team competitions throughout the year. While fostering a friendly and entertaining environment, these competitions provide MCJROTC Cadets an opportunity to showcase their hours of dedication and tremendous marching skills, and at each competition they get to build camaraderie amongst their team and other teams from around the state and nation.

Field Trips

MCJROTC units are provided an opportunity to conduct field trips during the school year. These trips enable MCJROTC instructors to take their lesson plans outside of the classroom and let cadets see real world examples of leadership in action. These field trips range from college ROTC program visits, museums, historical sites, and industry exploration. Field trips continue to be a very popular portion of the MCJROTC curriculum allowing cadets experiential learning opportunities.

Marksmanship

Marksmanship is an integral part of the MCJROTC curriculum. With an emphasis on safety, the MCJROTC Marksmanship curriculum allows cadets to develop a sense of accomplishment as they become more proficient with their marksmanship skills. Cadets will shoot an air rifle specifically designed for MCJROTC. Cadets have the opportunity to qualify and compete using the Three-Position Air Rifle Shooting standards. Three-Position Air Rifle Shooting is the most popular and fastest growing form of shooting sports amongst youth of high school age. Cadets learn to shoot from the prone (laying down), kneeling, and standing positions. MCJROTC air rifle teams compete throughout the school year with both teams and individuals having the chance to earn a spot to shoot at the National Air Rifle competition.

Community Service

MCJROTC Cadets have volunteered countless hours of community service to their surrounding communities. Cadets have volunteered their time to assist food banks, remove litter in the community, visit the elderly and the sick, and in a multitude of other capacities. MCJROTC Cadets conduct community service as a part of their MCJROTC education while contributing to their own development as citizens. Community service allows our cadets to practice the ILTexas motto of “Others Before Self.”

Raider Fitness

MCJROTC Cadets who are motivated to be challenged physically, can choose to participate in the Raider Fitness team. This is a competitive team that participates in demanding physical events such as flipping tires, carrying stretchers, building and traversing rope bridges, and other cross-fit-like activities. Members of the Raider Fitness team have the ability to compete at local and state competitions in order to qualify for the annual national competition hosted by the Marine Corps. Raider Fitness is a great way for a cadet to take their fitness to the next level and have a bunch of fun along the way.

FAQ

What does the MCJROTC program do?

The MCJROTC program:

Promotes Patriotism
Develops informed and responsible citizens
Develops respect for constructed authority
Develops a high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, individual discipline and leadership
Promotes an understanding of the basic elements and need for national security
Provides information on the military services as a possible career
Promotes community service
Develops leadership potential
Promotes high school completion
Provides incentive to live healthy and drug free

What are the student enrollment eligibility requirements?

Student enrollment eligibility requirements are:

Be enrolled in and attending a regular course of instruction in a grade 9 through 12 at the school hosting the unit.
Be physically qualified to participate fully in the physical education program of the host school.
Be selected by the MCJROTC instructor with the approval of the school principal or his/her representative.
Maintain acceptable standards of academic achievement and an academic standing that warrants at least normal progression leading to graduation.
Maintain acceptable standards of conduct.
Comply with specified personal grooming standards. Common sense and good judgment apply to the attainment of these standards. Standards will not be relaxed so as to reflect disgrace on the United States Marine Corps.

What are the benefits of MCJROTC?

Benefits include:

Increased opportunities for post-high school education
Learning and understanding the basic elements and need for national security and their personal obligations as Americans
Encourages initiative and individuality to develop a student’s natural gifts, improved self-control; develop personal character, responsibility and qualities of integrity, loyalty, and dedication.
Improved self-esteem by sense of belonging to MCJROTC and participating in team activities
Improved behavior, higher attendance, developing positive life skills, improved character
Cadets who complete at least 2 years of MCJROTC are entitled to advanced upon initial enlistment in an active or reserve component
Senior Marine Instructor is authorized to nominate a maximum of three eligible cadets each year to compete for U.S. Naval Academy appointments.

What subjects are included in the curriculum?

The wide variety of subjects includes the following:

CITIZENSHIP -- Provides all aspects of citizenship to include patriotism, citizenship requirements, civic responsibilities, and national defense.
LEADERSHIP -- An ongoing study of the principles and practical application of leadership with emphasis on providing opportunities for students to exercise and develop their own leadership abilities.
PERSONAL GROWTH AND RESPONSIBILITY --: Provides information and requires cadet involvement in physical fitness, health, hygiene, nutrition, social skills, written and oral communication and personal finance.
PUBLIC SERVICE AND CAREER EXPLORATION -- Provides information on career preparation and opportunities for public service.
GENERAL MILITARY SUBJECTS -- Explains all aspects of MCJROTC administration, drill and ceremonies, uniforms, clothing and equipment, customs, courtesies and traditions of the Marine Corps, ranks structure, chain of command, military history, marksmanship, first aid, guard duty, land navigation, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

Who are the MCJROTC Instructors?

MCJROTC instructors are Marines who have served anywhere from eight years to beyond 20 years. They are commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, staff non-commissioned officers, or warrant officers. The Senior Marine Instructor (SMI) is the department head of the school’s MCJROTC program. Along with the SMI, Marine Instructors also teach the curriculum and sponsor extracurricular activities. The SMI will hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and the Marine Instructor should have an Associates Degree within 5 years of becoming a certified instructor.

For whom do the MCJROTC instructors work?

Resource Links

Contact Us

MICHAEL BROWN
MBROWN@ILTexas.org

Marine Corps Website

Marine Corps JROTC

A STRONG START

OUR MISSION

BENEFITS OF MARINE CORPS JROTC PROGRAM

MICHAEL BROWN MBROWN@ILTexas.org

MICHAEL BROWN
MBROWN@ILTexas.org