There are many benefits of being in JROTC in high school, whether you attend a public school or a military boarding school. The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program helps students gain confidence, become more physically fit, and prepare for college and future careers.
Participating in JROTC in high school can even open the door to significant ROTC college scholarships, admission to top colleges, senior military academies and elite service academies like West Point, without requiring military service.
In this article, you will learn more about what JROTC is, the key benefits of participating, how to join a program, and how JROTC differs from ROTC at the college level.
If you’re interested in leadership, character development, and service, JROTC can be a transformative program for high school students. Many cadets say JROTC helped them build the grit, discipline, and determination to reach their goals and push their full potential.
What Is JROTC?
JROTC stands for the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, a high school program sponsored by branches of the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. The JROTC program’s focus and purpose are leadership and character development, not military recruitment.
Mission of JROTC: “To motivate young people to be better citizens.” – U.S. Army JROTC
Students learn citizenship, leadership, physical fitness, communication, teamwork, and responsibility. While this program is inspired by military structure, it is designed to benefit and provide practical skills to all high school students, whether they are planning on military service or plan to pursue a civilian career.
JROTC vs. ROTC – The Differences
Although the programs may sound somewhat similar, they actually serve very different purposes for high school versus college students. Most importantly, JROTC does not require any military commitment.
JROTC gives students a competitive edge, no matter what their chosen future path may be. If a student elects to continue to ROTC in college, many find they are well-prepared to handle the rigor of academics as well as other aspects of college and campus life.
What Are the Benefits of JROTC?
In the United States, thousands of high school students participate in JROTC Leadership Education Training (LET) classes every year. Explore some of the top benefits of JROTC below.
Improve Academic Performance
According to Army JROTC, high school students in their program demonstrate:
- Higher grade point averages (GPA) than their peers
- Better attendance (accountability)
- Competitive college applications
JROTC helps students set goals, become motivated, stay organized, and keep their focus on academics, while gaining career and practical life skills.
Build Physical Fitness & Discipline
Physical Training (PT) is a core part of JROTC. Cadets participate in:
- Strength and endurance workouts
- Team-based physical challenges
- Optional adventure competitions like the JROTC National Raider Challenge (5K runs, one-rope bridge, obstacle courses, and more)
Students at military boarding schools such as Army and Navy Academy, an all-boys boarding school for grades 7-12, participate in additional athletics and leadership-based fitness requirements. In fact, in order to secure a leadership position in the Corps of Cadets (student body), students must go through rigorous physical challenges, alongside interviews and other requirements.
Receive Leadership Training
Modeled after high-level leadership institutions, including West Point and Annapolis (the Naval Academy), JROTC teaches and trains leaders to:
- Be a leader and a good team player
- Become a strong communicator
- Make good choices and decisions
- Demonstrate self-discipline
- Model strong values and ethical behavior
At military boarding schools, cadets also benefit from daily mentorship and hands-on leadership roles in all aspects of campus life. They also learn respect for themselves and others, as well as good manners.
Participate in Extracurricular Opportunities
JROTC cadets can join a wide range of specialized teams, clubs, and activities:
- Drill team
- Color guard
- Raider team
- Orienteering
- Rifle team
- Archery team
U.S. military schools also offer many co-curricular activities, trips, and clubs, as well as specialized programs for STEM, ESL, and Learning Strategies. They also may offer programs that are tied to specific interests, as noted below.
Aviation and Equestrian Programs: While some military schools offer a focus on equestrian programs like Culver Academies (IN) and Missouri Military Academy (MO), other military schools like Army & Navy Academy (CA), Marine Military Academy (TX), and Randolph-Macon Academy (VA) offer aviation and UAS programs.
Become a Responsible Citizen
JROTC goes beyond and helps cadets understand responsible citizenship, American history, and community service. Students participate in service-learning projects such as:
- Red Cross drives
- Food bank distributions
- Environmental cleanups
- Volunteering with the elderly or children
Cadets consistently report high levels of civic engagement and enjoy community service projects.
Strengthen College Applications
Participation in JROTC and especially leadership roles in high school helps students stand out when applying for college admission to:
- Public and private universities in the U.S. and abroad
- ROTC programs, including Texas A&M, The Citadel, Norwich, Virginia Military Institute, and many others, with optional participation. In fact, did you know that all Ivy League schools allow college students to participate in ROTC programs, often with training at other nearby universities?
- U.S. military service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point,
U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)
Leadership, discipline, and service are traits and experiences that are highly valued by college admission committees.
Earn Scholarships
JROTC participation can help students qualify for:
- Competitive ROTC full-ride scholarships
- Prestigious awards such as the AMVETS JROTC Scholarship
- Nominations to military service academies
While ROTC scholarships to attend college do involve a service commitment, note that JROTC participation in high school does not.
Gain a Head Start in Military Service (This is completely optional)
Students who choose to enlist after high school may enter military service one rank higher if they have completed at least two years of JROTC in high school. This can lead to:
- Faster advancement
- Higher pay
- More leadership responsibility
Develop Strong Character
As highlighted by U.S. News and World Report and other sources, character development is central to JROTC. Core values include:
- Loyalty
- Duty
- Respect
- Selfless service
- Honor
- Integrity
- Courage
These values and personal traits help cadets succeed, not only in school, but also provide guidance for college and life.
Explore Career Pathways
JROTC skills apply to both civilian and military careers, including:
- Aviation & UAS
- Business & management
- Law & government
- Education
- Science & engineering
- Technology
- Public service
Cadets learn early how to lead and work effectively on a team, which translates into practical skills valued in any profession.
JROTC PROGRAMS NEAR ME
JROTC Programs in High School
If you’re searching for “JROTC programs near me,” you’ll find them in three main school settings:
Public Schools
Many public schools offer 2-4 years of JROTC courses. Check with your school counselor or district website. Some schools even begin the program during middle school.
Charter Schools
Some charter schools offer JROTC, but availability varies by state. Check with school guidance counselors and directory listings on military JROTC websites.
Military Schools
Military boarding schools fully integrate JROTC into daily life and the academic curriculum. Students receive Leadership Education Training classes following the JROTC curriculum, daily structure, leadership opportunities, and mentorship around the clock.
How to Apply for JROTC
Learn more about how to apply based on your educational plans:
If You Attend a Military School
Enrollment in leadership education training (LET) is typically automatic and will be required. Some military high schools also offer JROTC beginning in middle school.
If You Attend a Public or Charter School
Check your school’s elective catalog for JROTC or LET courses, or speak with an academic counselor. If your school does not offer JROTC, you may be able to join a neighboring school’s program through a reciprocity agreement.
FAQs About JROTC
What do students do in JROTC in high school?
Cadets participate in leadership classes, physical training, team activities, drill, service projects, and hands-on learning experiences. They also have opportunities for competitions, leadership roles, community service, and field training.
How does the JROTC program affect the lives of students?
JROTC builds confidence, discipline, communication skills, and resilience. Many students say the program helps them perform better academically and socially, while strengthening their college and career readiness.
Do you have to join the military after JROTC?
No. JROTC in high school does not require any military commitment. The program is focused on leadership training and citizenship, not recruitment.
How does JROTC help you in the military?
Students who complete two or more years in JROTC may enter military service at an advanced rank. They also gain leadership, physical fitness skills, and character traits that help them excel in their training.
Does JROTC help with college?
Yes. JROTC strengthens college applications and can make students more competitive for ROTC scholarships, service academies, and selective universities.
Interested in Exploring a Military Boarding School with JROTC in California?
Feel free to contact Army and Navy Academy, located on a scenic beachfront campus in Carlsbad, California. The Academy offers a distinctive and rigorous college-preparatory experience for boys in grades 7–12. As a top-ranked boarding school for boys, a Gurian Center for Excellence, and a model JROTC school, ANA provides:
- Rigorous College Prep Classes
- Mandatory Study Time and Support
- Strong Counseling Support
- Stellar West Point-Style Leadership training
- Championship Level Athletics Program
- Mentorship and Guidance 24/7
- Structured Daily Schedule
Admission Office at 888.762.2338 or directly at 760.729.2385
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Candace Heidenrich is the CEO of Aperture Advisory Associates, where she works with private secondary and higher education leaders to strengthen programs and practices. She founded Aperture in 2018 after more than a decade in a senior administrative role at a boarding school in California. Additionally, she held faculty and chair positions at private schools and colleges in Los Angeles and Ojai. Her background also includes director and executive level positions with start-ups and Fortune 500 corporations.
While earning her B.A. in Education and Humanities in the Lawrence Henry Gipson Scholar program, she studied abroad at Oxford before pursuing her master’s at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A frequent speaker at national conferences, she is a recognized thought leader and authority on enrollment management and marketing best practices.