Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  WHAT IS JROTC?
JROTC is an elective class that is offered for up to four years beginning with Leadership Education Training – 1 (LET-1).  The course is open to both male and female students.  The course provides academic credit just as any other elective course in high school.  The curriculum emphasis is on citizenship, leadership, teamwork and personal responsibility.  Students are required to wear uniforms once a week.  These uniforms are provided to the students free of charge so long as they are returned at the end of the year or whenever they leave the program.

2.  IF I TAKE JROTC, DO I GO INTO THE ARMY WHEN I GRADUATE?
JROTC does not obligate any student to enter the military at any level.  Neither does the JROTC program recruit students for any military service.  However, some students do decide that they will enter the military upon graduation and their JROTC experience is an advantage.

3.  WHY WOULD JROTC BE A GOOD CHOICE?
There are several great reasons why JROTC is a great program for students, parents and the community.  These are a few:

a.  It is a fantastic peer group.  JROTC students are a cross-section of the student body as a whole.  However, most teachers and administrators will tell you that JROTC students are more self-disciplined and motivated than their counterparts who do not take JROTC.  We seek to instill positive personal morals, respect and responsibility.  These are characteristics that carry our students throughout their high school years and into adult life.

b.  It has many extracurricular activities.  A common denominator for JROTC students is their level of involvement in school sponsored extra-curricular activities and community service.  It is generally recognized that students involved in wholesome activities tend to present fewer problems at school and at home.  JROTC provides opportunities to become involved in after school activities like Saber’s Honor Club (3.0 GPA), RAIDER Platoon, Air Rifle Team, Color Guard and Drill Team.  Also Southside High School JROTC is a mainstay at community events throughout Atlanta, including Junior Achievement at area middle schools, holiday parades, color guard for holiday events and the city wide Empty Stocking Fund Christmas program.

c.  It assists in attaining scholarship and increased rank in the military.  Some students do take JROTC with an eye on entering the military after graduation.  Others have desires to obtain ROTC scholarships to college or to attend one of our nation’s prestigious military academies.  Those who complete 2 to 4 years of JROTC may enter service having already achieved rank that will provide increased pay from $350 to $700 per month. For those students who wish to go on to college, we get literature and share our knowledge to mentor and assist them to achieve their goals of an education and commission as a military officer.

d.  It has a dedicated Cadre (Instructors) who are concerned with each student’s success.  ROTC Instructors are retired military professionals certified to teach and mentor high school students.  Each of us has experienced a great deal of the world and have children of our own.  From this vantage, we consider our work a calling rather than just a job.

4.  For further information, please contact Lieutenant Colonel Black, Sergeant Major Lundy or Chief Warrant Officer Deas at the JROTC Department:  (404) 624-2065, Ext. 19 or jrotc160527@aol.com.