Ultimate Guide To JROTC | CollegeVine Blog

The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is a federally-run program for high school and some middle school students that promotes citizenship, discipline, and skill development in a military-inspired model. Participating public and private schools across the country run JROTC programs, some of which require participation as a condition of attendance. Visit the JROTC website for a list of participating schools by state.

The program is sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces and is divided into branches, each with its own individual units: Army (AJROTC), Air Force (AFJROTC), Navy (NJROTC), Marine Corps (MCJROTC), and Coast Guard (CGJROTC).

JROTC is distinct from ROTC, a program for college students who receive a scholarship covering all or part of their tuition contingent upon their fulfillment of an active military service duty upon college graduation. (For more information on ROTC and other college scholarships, check out our posts, A Guide to ROTC Scholarships and You Were Accepted to Your Dream College But Can’t Afford It…Now What?) Unlike participants in ROTC, JROTC members are not required to join the military after high school or college. However, many JROTC members have gone on to serve as notable members of the United States Armed Forces.

What does JROTC membership involve?

In order for you to join JROTC, your school must participate in a program through one of the military branches listed above. Membership is also contingent upon some other factors, including your citizenship status and disciplinary record.

JROTC is generally available as a course at school, so it isn’t exactly an extracurricular activity. However, when it comes time to fill out your college applications, you will most likely want to describe your involvement in the Activities section, especially since it is listed as one of the activities categories in the Common App. JROTC courses typically teach military topics concerning both historical and current practices, and also include a physical fitness component. Because of the physical fitness aspect of the courses, JROTC will likely replace or help you fulfill your physical education requirement. (However, exemption policies may vary by school, so be sure to look into your school’s requirements.) Generally, instructors are retired military members.

As we noted above, unlike ROTC, JROTC does not commit you to military services in the future, but you may enlist at a higher rank under some circumstances if you have completed a certain amount of time in JROTC.