[Student Reporters] JROTC - What is it?

Min-Ji Yi / <11th, Fairfax High School>

“One, two three four...” resound students as they come marching, clad in green uniform. On campus, they are reputed among students and teachers alike for spinning rifles, calling cadences, and marching in aggressive and systematic manner. They are students enrolled in a program called JROTC.

Junior Reserve Officers‘ Training Corps (JROTC) is a national high school program that was created as a part of the National Defense Act of 1916. Students in the program often face discrimination from their peers and teachers alike, who harbor the misconception that JROTC is a strictly military program. However, JROTC’s mission statement is “to motivate young people to become better citizens.” Contrary to popular belief, the program does an excellent job of fulfilling that mission.

“JROTC is not a recruiting program,” clarified Colonel Rogers, the instructor of Fairfax High School‘s Lion Battalion. “The Army has recruiters to do its recruiting. JROTC is a leadership program that provides students with opportunities to learn discipline and patriotism, among other important values.”

JROTC classrooms have different sets of textbooks for students of different grades. Some of the materials taught in these books include leadership, first-aid, financing, time management, and United States history. As cadets, students are taught basics of becoming well-informed citizens of America. The program is offered as an alternative to PE courses.

It also has unique opportunities not offered in any other program. National academic bowls, summer camp, city-wide drill competitions, and essay contests are just a few of the many opportunities students can choose to participate in. LAUSD’s All City Competition, in particular, selects the top ten cadets of the city through a rigorous process of examination, marching, and oral presentation. These cadets earn the prestigious position of being a part of the “All City Staff”, and receive benefits such as scholarships and influential letters of recommendation to colleges. Many students in the program also choose to participate in armed and unarmed drill teams and color guard.

“Most importantly, I feel at home here. We‘re all part of a family,” said Flor Alfaro, a JROTC student. “I can always come here to do my homework, eat my lunch, or just to hang out with my friends. Students that aren’t in JROTC don‘t have that privilege.”