Army JROTC has a well-defined organizational  structure. Each person in the unit has an individual job that is part of a larger task. This task, in turn, is part of a much larger mission. There is a pyramid of authority within most organizations. For JROTC and the military, this pyramid of authority includes individual and group responsibility. This pyramid contains the following elements:

• Unity of Command
• Span of Control
• Chain of Command

From the top to the bottom of this pyramid is a chain of command. The chain of command is a succession of leaders through which authority and commands pass from the leader to the subordinate, and then down through the ranks.

“Rank” and “grade” are terms used by the military to classify soldiers. Rank is the actual title held by a soldier, while grade is a letter/number combination that means the same thing. Soldiers are classified as either enlisted or officers.

The enlisted ranks are broken down into two divisions based on experience and skill. The first three enlisted positions (Private to Private First Class) are usually “entry level.” Noncommissioned officers, the second division, are those personnel who have advanced above the first three entry-level positions and are in a supervisory position over personnel in lower grades These ranks include Corporal through Sergeant Major.

Commissioned officers, Second Lieutenant through Lieutenant Colonel, are the highest levels of supervision and have authority over lower-ranking officers, noncommissioned officers and enlisted personnel. Advancement to higher ranks is based on ability, skill, experience and potential.

A similar structure exists for cadet officers and noncommissioned officers at Army and Navy Academy. The insignia of grade for cadet officers and noncomissioned officers is shown below.  

The Cadet Battalion Commander reports to the Senior Army Instructor and to the
President of the Academy. All other officers and noncommissioned officers report to the Cadet Battalion Commander through the chain of command.

The Leadership and Promotion program at Army and Navy Academy is unique to each student. It allows each cadet the opportunity to excel through a structured system of leadership titles or "ranks." Rank at the Academy can be achieved in a variety of situations. Following are rank/promotion opportunities:

Automatic Promotions

1. Automatic promotions occur after every even-numbered grading period. However, the Senior Army Instructor may designate a “special automatic promotion” for outstanding performance (98 percent or higher) on the Cadet Formal Inspection (CFI). This promotion can be made for any cadet, up to and including the rank of
   Sergeant.
2. Criteria for an automatic promotion are as follows:

• achieve a 2.0 or higher with no failing grade in any subject for the grading period preceding the promotion period.
• achieve a “Satisfactory” or higher in Citizenship grade for the grading period preceding the promotion period.
• be approved by the Senior Army Instructor.

Special Promotions

1. Special promotions can occur after any grading period.
2. Special promotions are designed for cadet noncommissioned officers, Staff Sergeant through First Sergeant, and Commissioned Officers, Second Lieutenant through Lieutenant Colonel.

Criteria for special promotion are as follows:

• achieve a 2.0 or higher with no failing grade in any subject for the grading period preceding the promotion period
• achieve a “Satisfactory” or higher for the grading period preceding the promotion period
• be in a leadership and/or staff position that calls for the rank for which the cadet is being recommended
• be recommended by the Cadet Chain of Command with approval by the Senior Army Instructor, the Commandant of Cadets and the Company RLO

Returning Academy Cadets

Cadets returning to the Academy after an absence, may be awarded the rank they achieved prior to departure from the Academy providing they meet the following criteria:

Achieve a 2.0 or higher with no failing grade in any subject for the grading period following their return.

Achieve a “Satisfactory” or higher in Citizenship for the grading period following their return.

1. Have had no disciplinary action pending prior to having withdrawn from the Academy
2. Be recommended by the Company RLO
3. Academy Cadets Advancing to Upper School from 8th Grade (Echo Company)
4. Echo Company cadets in the rank of Corporal or higher that enter the senior program will be awarded the senior rank of Corporal
5. Echo Company cadets below the rank of Corporal that enter the senior program will be awarded the rank achieved
6. Echo Company cadets who are selected as Echo Company Squad Leaders will be awarded the temporary rank of Sergeant. If they are removed from this leadership position for any reason, they will be moved into an Upper School company and revert back to the rank of Corporal. If they successfully complete one grading period as an Echo Company Squad Leader, the rank will become permanent

Transferring JROTC Cadets

1. Cadets who transfer to the Academy from other JROTC or official military type programs may be awarded the rank achieved in the other program up to the rank of Sergeant if they meet the following criteria:

• achieve a 2.0 GPA or higher with no failing grade in any subject for the two consecutive grading periods following the transfer
• achieve a “Satisfactory” or higher in Citizenship for the two consecutive grading periods following the transfer
• complete the Army and Navy Academy New--Cadet Orientation Training program, as well as all requirements listed in the Plebe Knowledge Book
• have participated in an authorized military-type program. Authorized programs include Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine JROTC, as well as the Civil Air Patrol, Young Marines and Sea Cadet programs
• provide a letter of recommendation from the previous Senior Military Instructor stating what rank the cadet achieved in the program, and that the cadet left the program in good standing
• be recommended by the Company RLO

Senior Cadets

1. Senior Cadets who were not eligible for the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) in their junior year may be commissioned as officers in the Corps of Cadets if they satisfy the following requirements:

• complete the LCC home study course
• have outstanding performance in an “On-The-Job" (OTJ) leadership position for one full semester
• achieve a 2.0 or higher with no failing grade in any subject for the final first-semester grades
• achieve a “Satisfactory” average for the first semester of their senior year
• be recommended by the Cadet Chain of Command with approval by the Senior Army Instructor, the Commandant of Cadets and the Company RLO

• complete the LCC home study course
• have outstanding performance in an “On-The-Job" (OTJ) leadership position for one full semester
• achieve a 2.0 or higher with no failing grade in any subject for the final first semester grades
• achieve a “Satisfactory” average or higher for the first semester
• be recommended by the Cadet Chain of Command with approval by the Senior Army Instructor, the Commandant of Cadets and the Company RLO