How many of you took JROTC before going into the military?

SPC Richard White — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 05:40:39 -0400

4 years of JROTC usually gives you a higher paygrade

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jul 31 at 2014 2:10 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:10:26 -0400

My high school had a JROTC program. I had absolutely zero interest in the program. Every Thursday they would all wear their uniforms to school. We colorfully referred to it as "Pickle Day." I remember saying that you would never catch me in an outfit like that. I graduated high school, dropped out of community college right before my first mid-terms, and joined the Army. This Halloween will be 24 years of service. Funny how things work out...

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2014 2:27 PM

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:27:05 -0400

I was a Civil Air Patrol cadet. They were more active than Sea Cadets and there were not many JROTC groups around. 24 years later, still in C.A.P.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2014 8:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 08:38:30 -0400

I was in JROTC in highschool. I loved it- it was an interesting experience and one of the things that got me wanting to join the Army.

Response by CW3 John Wescott made Aug 4 at 2014 9:07 AM

CW3 John Wescott — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 09:07:41 -0400

I went to a Military High School in Virginia. It was kinda like the movie "Taps" but without the tanks, machine guns, and Tom Cruise. We had drill every Saturday. It was a great experience. It also earned me PFC when I joined the Army.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Aug 4 at 2014 9:16 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 09:16:42 -0400

Did not have JROTC in my high school way back then..however I was in ROTC for 2 years while attending UF which allowed me to enlist as a PFC. Had my hs had it, I would have probably taken it.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Aug 4 at 2014 9:24 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 09:24:06 -0400

Heck I didn't know it existed when I went to school, but my daughter and niece both have done it and now both have joined the Navy. It was a rewarding experience for them both and it seems to have lifted them to a point where their success in the program gave them a false sense of security to the REAL DEAL! But........with that being said, I always revert to how they complained and were treated then while relating it to their current situation.

Good stuff.....

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2014 11:00 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 11:00:16 -0400

Didn't have a program at my HS.

Still bugs me of their idea of the purple heart.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 9:06 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 09:06:55 -0400

My HS didn't have it but everyone in my Co. in basic that did JROTC were all chaptered because of APFT failures. I felt bad for them but from what they told me I wasn't too impressed with the JROTC program.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 2:40 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 14:40:15 -0400

I did not, but have 3 boys in the program this year. Outstanding development of their leadership and confidence. I highly recommend it!

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Nov 3 at 2014 9:18 AM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:18:10 -0500

I was in JROTC in High School, made it to CSM and was in charge of the Drill Team and the Honor Guard.

The lessons learned there certainly helped me out in Basic, since I already knew how to walk and where my left was. That freed me up to do push ups for so many other things ;-)

Response by SGT James Wilson made Aug 4 at 2018 8:03 PM

SGT James Wilson — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 20:03:42 -0400

I did. My high school was a senior high school so it was only a three-year program. My first two years it was Naval JROTC, but during my final year it switched over to Army JROTC. This was Fayetteville, North Carolina, right next to Fort Bragg, so you can rest assured we approved of the move. The upshot? The NJROTC program was a high-quality program taught by instructors who were more invested in our success. I also spent a year in the Civil Air Patrol. I would never recommend these for students who do not wish to join on their own--in other words, I take a dim view of parents who force their kids to join them--but for students who join on their own volition, I think they're quite worthwhile.

Response by Matt Moon made Oct 9 at 2018 6:11 AM

Matt Moon — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 06:11:03 -0400

Young Marines & Civil Air Patrol

Response by PO3 Carri Williams made Nov 16 at 2022 9:29 PM

PO3 Carri Williams — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 21:29:47 -0500

I was not involved and had no problems with promotions.