Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps Program (JROTC)
As is illustrated below, the JROTC curriculum ensures a comprehensive program to assist each cadet to reach his potential. The academic curriculum in JROTC is as follows:
Unit 1 - Citizenship in Action
Unit 2 - Leadership Theory and Application
Unit 3 - Foundations for Success - NEFE High School Financial Planning Program
Unit 4 - Wellness, Fitness and First Aid
Unit 5 - Geography and Earth Science
Unit 6 - Citizenship in American History and Government
Unit 7 - Safety and Civilian Marksmanship Program
Army JROTC Core Abilities
1) Build your capacity for life-long learning.
2) Communicate using verbal, non-verbal, visual, and written techniques.
3) Take responsibility for your actions and choices.
4) Do your share as a good citizen in your school, community, country, and the world.
5) Treat self and others with respect.
6) Apply critical thinking techniques.
LET I – The first year of JROTC introduces the student to the study of leadership and citizenship while being designed to help him succeed in high school and beyond. Students learn self-analysis techniques such as winning colors, personal skills mapping and how to improve themselves. They also learn how to correctly wear the uniform, plus military customs and courtesies.
LET II - The second year of JROTC provides more leadership training as the cadets progress in rank and experience. They learn leadership at the squad and platoon levels. Classroom instruction includes: leadership theory and application, nutrition, first aid, geography, public speaking, government, and the role of citizens in America.
LET III - The third year of JROTC provides still more leadership situations with the students being entrusted with more responsibility and authority. They serve primarily as senior non-commissioned officers and learn leadership at the company level. Classroom instruction includes: leadership theory and application, nutrition, first aid, geography, financial planning, public speaking, government, and the role of citizens in America.
LET IV - Fourth-year students are responsible for supervising the daily activities of the corps and perform primarily as commanders and staff officers plus serve as role models for the younger students. They also act as assistant instructors in some subject areas for JROTC classes. They continue to develop their leadership skills and plan Corps events and community service activities. Classroom instruction includes: leadership theory and application, foundations for success, and public speaking.
JROTC 2011 Marksmanship Program
JROTC Completes Annual Air Rifle Qualification Program
Once a year the St John’s Military School JROTC Department conducts an air rifle qualification program for all JROTC Cadets. This year’s program ran from 4-28 Jan 11. This is the second year we have used the new Army issued CO2 powered Daisy 887 Sporter Air Rifle which are much improved over the single pump Daisy 853 that we had in the past. By waiting till third quarter to conduct qualifications this gives more cadets a chance to earn one of the coveted marksmanship badges. One hundred and seventy-one cadets had an opportunity to qualify this year.
Before a cadet can fire their first round downrange they must go through eight days of classroom instruction covering safety, fundamentals of rifle shooting, and instruction in the different positions involved in three position rifle shooting; this being the prone, standing, and kneeling positions. In addition, all cadets must pass the range safety exam with a 100% and sign a 15 point safety pledge before being allowed to fire. While on the range all cadets serve as assistant safety officers and help each other as a two person team while attempting to qualify.
Even with all of the above training, first time shooters as well as the more experienced shooters find earning a badge does not come easily. To earn a marksman badge, shooters must fire a minimum score of 175 out of a possible 200 points while firing in the prone and standing positions. To earn the sharpshooter badge cadets must score a minimum 188 points out of 200. The few who earn the right to try for the title of expert rifleman must fire in all three positions to include the kneeling position and must fire a score of 290 out of 300 to earn the elite expert badge.
The 123rd Corps of Cadets have done an excellent job qualifying this year. Sixty-six percent of the eligible participants this year qualified for one of the marksmanship badges. In addition to the six MuleSkinner Rifle Team Members, eleven other cadets have qualified as experts. They are Colton Brown, Wei Feng, Tyler Yankey, Nuoya Wu, Bretton Hibler, Bryan Cerato, Darius Bridgeman, Sean Dolan, Samuel Hetherington, Justus Holliday, and Ryan Harris. Cadet Hibbler fired the top score this year with a 296 out of 300. For this prestigious accomplishment Bretton will receive the Upper School Marksmanship Award during the Commencement Awards Ceremony. All in all there are 17 experts in the 123rd Corps of Cadets along with 26 sharpshooters and 70 marksmen.