Discipline and Training Lead to a Bright Future Booker T. Washington once said, "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others." The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, also known as JROTC, provides young adults with a federal program that inspires leadership, citizenship and character, while encouraging participation, service and commitment in the local community and school. Since 1916, JROTC has motivated young people to be better citizens and build strong ethics, communication and life skills. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps was created in addition to the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916. The law allowed high schools to borrow equipment from the military, and high school students would receive instruction by active duty military personnel. Later, in 1964, the Vitalization Act allowed high school students to participate in other types of service, and most active-duty military personnel were replaced with experienced retirees who had previously worked for the Army. Over time, JROTC high school programs have come a long way and changed quite a bit. Originally, JROTC was a program to recruit members into the military, but over the years it has transformed into a program that instills citizenship and encourages physical and educational improvement. JROTC is a helpful program for students who are emotionally or physically turbulent. It instills a sense of discipline and balance. The study of ethics, citizenship, communication and leadership that students learn and prepare will lead them successfully into the adult world. From a small number of just six units in 1916, JROTC has grown and flourished to become an active program in 3,229 schools today. JROTC benefits the community by not only engaging students to participate in their community, but JROTC also distributes scholarships to students. JROTC provides scholarships to high school JROTC cadets. They offer a one-year scholarship to any accredited undergraduate college or trade/technical school. Only one of these scholarships is awarded each year. However, to receive this prestigious award, the student must be the grandchild or child of a United States veteran. Many of the previous scholarship winners are now ranked in some of the highest positions in the United States military branches. JROTC goals include ethical values and proper citizenship. Effective communication and logical thinking can develop the skills to work as a team member and produce positive self-motivation and management. Every cadet should have the motivation to graduate from high school and seek a career that will aid them in their future endeavors. In addition to improving physical fitness, every cadet should choose to live drug-free. JROTC is a program that provides opportunities for all. Any student of any academic level can participate in this program and any student of any nationality can participate. Participating in JROTC will train your student in a discipline that is beneficial to all high school students. In fact, schools with JROTC programs tend to have higher SAT scores and lower dropout rates. As part of the JROTC curriculum, over 100 hours of community service are displayed throughout the four years of high school. Services can range from marching to parades tocollecting food for the homeless or cleaning local streets. Some local governments recognize the work of JROTC participants and award local awards and scholarships to deserving high school students. Most local municipalities encourage students to engage and participate in JROTC activities. Unlike what many think, JROTC is not a program to recruit people for the military, JROTC is a program where students help other students in becoming the best citizens they can be. Many universities and employers also opt for JROTC members. Colleges and universities look for admirable qualities that most JROTC members have already instilled. JROTC training improves focus and determination, and also increases a student's ability to study smarter, set goals, and develop effective study habits. Employers can expect integrity, flexibility and loyalty from past JROTC students. In total, this creates a well-rounded leader, scholar, and athlete that colleges and employers desire. The JROTC program is also used in other military branches such as the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy. Each branch teaches citizenship skills, but varies across different professions. For example, the Air Force JROTC, also known as AFJROTC, teaches programs such as aviation history, geography, history and survival. The Marine Corps JROTC unit demonstrates their training team. They actively engage in public events by displaying and presenting the American flag during a baseball or basketball game. Marksmanship is also included in the Marine Corps JROTC curriculum. Each branch teaches 4 general subjects: the importance of physical fitness, military history, precision drill and leadership skills. Physical fitness is essential for learning physical and emotional strength and endurance by doing curl-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and walking or running a mile. Every JROTC cadet must understand military history and important military figures and organizations that helped shape our world. JROTC instructors teach students about important documents that changed America and the way its society works. Depending on the branch, others may study additional information. For example, Marine Corps JROTC might learn about maritime patrol and waterway battle history. Precision drilling requires concentration and attention to detail. Students learn to discipline themselves and pay attention. Leadership skills are required for any cadet. JROTC instructors teach students how to solve problems, make wise decisions, communicate interpersonally and lead a team. Each JROTC unit distributes ribbons to participating cadets. There is a wide variety of ribbons ranging from Academic Excellence Ribbon to Quarter/Year Cadet Ribbon. The highest ribbon one can receive is the Medal for Heroism and the Superior Cadet. The Heroism Medal is awarded to a JROTC cadet who displays an act of heroism. The Cadet Superior is awarded annually by the Department of the Army to one outstanding cadet in each rank. There are three awards for each unit, the highest of which is the Academic Achievement Banner, an award given to the top ten percent of each JROTC class based on grades. You can also earn marksmanship badges. ExpertShoot, the highest, requires a shooter to have a score of 200 out of 300. Every year, a leadership challenge camp is held in various locations across the United States. This field instills leadership,, 139(3), 8-19.
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