Can you teach JROTC at a high school as an officer in the National Guard?

2020-10-14T16:47:11-04:00

So I’m currently a 1st Lieutenant in the Army National Guard with 14+ years in, and my day to day job is a middle school and high school History teacher. My school wants to start a JROTC program and they asked if I could lead it. I said I would love to lead it but I’m not sure the rank requirements or anything involved. Does anyone know the process or have any experience with starting a JROTC program?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2020 5:05 PM

2020-10-14T17:05:23-04:00

Not as a LT plus you have to be retired

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2020 5:07 PM

2020-10-14T17:07:41-04:00

Programs are started by the BDE and Cadet Command the school has to get approval from them. They all have to be in agreement.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 14 at 2020 6:07 PM

2020-10-14T18:07:11-04:00

You must be retired. You can assist them in getting it setup, contacting ROTC Command< but you can not run it.

Response by Capt Edward Egan made Oct 14 at 2020 8:08 PM

2020-10-14T20:08:26-04:00

I would suggest that if you're competent to teach History you should continue to do so. It is a more valuable contribution that you'll make. Part of the problem in our society is that young people are not aware of (have not been taught) history. Fill that gap and you'll do society a favor. Your lessons may stir them to join the JROTC and ultimately, the military. A competent military retiree can handle the JROTC program elements.

Response by SGM Jeff Mccloud made Oct 14 at 2020 9:21 PM

2020-10-14T21:21:02-04:00

JROTC Officers must be retired from the Army in the grades of W-1 through W-5 or O-3 through O-6.

However, once you pin on CPT, while still in the Guard you would be eligible to teach regular college ROTC as a contractor or on ADOS or AGR.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Oct 15 at 2020 9:47 AM

2020-10-15T09:47:32-04:00

Not know if is still around but I was in a National Defense Cadet Corps in High School. NDCC started in 1916. The equipment is not current, for example, we had M-1s even 5 years after the M14 became standard. Did have 1903 SS for drill team. BUT, our Commandant was a 1LT VAArNG and an English teacher. They are funded by the local BoE and cadets buy their own uniforms. Military equipment is issued, such as weapons, racks, locks, movie projectors, field gear, etc. Size requirements, I am not sure of. We had a Bn and a band when I was in, but only a couple years earlier a Regt with 2 Bns.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Oct 15 at 2020 3:23 PM

2020-10-15T15:23:08-04:00

For more information on Army JROTC, see http://www.usarmyjrotc.com/index.php
For yourself, unfortunately, you don't qualify:
1. Noncommissioned Officers must be retired from the Army in the grades of E-6 through E-9.
2. Officers must be retired from the Army in the grades of W-1 through W-5 or O-3 through O-6.
I believe the requirement is retirement from Active Duty, so Reserve/National Guard retirees are also not eligible. BUT, I may be wrong about that requirement.
Air Force JROTC, Navy JROTC, Marine Corp JROTC have similar requirements.

index.php

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Oct 16 at 2020 12:54 AM

2020-10-16T00:54:56-04:00

I recommend reading everything on the Army JROTC website: http://www.usarmyjrotc.com/index.php
It will tell you the requirements as the instructor, and what the school will need to operate a JROTC program.

index.php

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2020 8:39 PM

2020-10-23T20:39:33-04:00

So the owner of the school wants to start it as an extra curricular club this year to build interest since I showed him what the cost would be to the cost to the school. He’s going to let me run it as a club at first. Then if it picks up, he’ll apply to make it an official JROTC. There’s an E-6 in the Air Guard whos also a Teacher here who’s going to help me out. Would anyone have a curriculum guide for JROTC? I could make my own, but I want to make it as like a real JROTC as I can.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 23 at 2020 10:03 PM

2020-10-23T22:03:05-04:00

You aren’t currently eligible to teach JROTC.

http://www.usarmyjrotc.com/employment/before_you_apply.php

before_you_apply.php

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Jul 26 at 2021 10:39 AM

2021-07-26T10:39:12-04:00

Although official JROTC (and NDCC) requires retired officers and NCOs, there are school districts out there with JROTC like programs. They mimic JROTC, but are not funded or sanctioned by USACC. Montgomery County in VA has such a program. These programs will vary widely between states and school districts. I am not aware of any others besides the Montgomery County program in VA, but I'm sure there are others out there.