Junior ROTC
First Sergeant Albert Phoenix (ret) has been a JROTC instructor for 13 years. He discusses the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world.
Army ROTC was established in 1916. JROTC was expanded to all military services in 1964. JROTC’s mission, “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens”, is the guide post for the program’s success.
The U.S. Army’s JROTC program currently operates in more than 1,700 public and private high schools, military institutions, and correctional centers throughout the United States and overseas. Approximately 40% of JROTC programs are in inner city schools, serving a student population of 50% minorities. Female Cadets make up 40% of the Cadet population.
The JROTC faculty is led by nearly 4,000 instructors who are retired from active duty, reserve duty, or National Guard Army service. Instructors are trained and qualified in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act 2007 to teach and mentor approximately 314,000 JROTC Cadets annually. www.usarmyjrotc.com
