HISTORY / BACKGROUND

AUTHORIZATION OF JUNIOR ROTC

The enactment of Public Law 88-647 and codification in Title 10, U.S.C., Sec. 2031, authorized the military service secretaries to commission Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) units at secondary schools that meet established criteria. Accordingly, the Secretary of the Navy has authorized the CMC to establish Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (MCJROTC) units throughout the United States.

PURPOSE OF MCJROTC

The purpose of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, commonly referred to as "Junior ROTC," is to instill a value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. It does not seek any particular commitment to the military. The current legal basis for Junior ROTC is Section 2031 of Title 10, United States Code. That section is implemented by the Department of Defense. The governing directive, 1205.13 "ROTC Program for Secondary Educational Institutions," is dated June 16, 1982.

The Department of Defense funds and sponsors JROTC through the Secretaries of the Military Departments. MCJROTC is funded and sponsored through the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. Legally, the JROTC program offered in a high school must be no less than three years. Each year of the program contains 180 hours of leadership instruction and application. The program may extend over four years. Your program meets these requirements. Similar programs are conducted nationwide by the other three military services.

MISSION OF MARINE CORPS JUNIOR ROTC

1. Develop informed and responsible citizens.

2. Develop leadership skills.

3. Strengthen character.

4. Promote an understanding of the basic elements and requirements for national security.

5. Help form habits of self-discipline.

6. Develop respect for, and an understanding of, the need for constituted authority in a democratic society.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

           1. To be eligible for enrollment and continuance in a MCJROTC unit, the student
    
                a. Be enrolled in, and attending, a regular course of instruction at the school 
                   where the unit is located.

                b. Be a citizen of the United States or U.S. National or alien lawfully admitted to 
                   United States for permanent residence and in a grade above the 8th grade. 

                c. Be of good moral character as determined by the principal of the school and 
                   the SMI.
        
                d. Be physically qualified to participate fully in the school's physical education
                   program. Current annual school physical evaluations, as stated above, are  
                   mandatory for cadet participation in the program.
 

 DISENROLLMENT

 Cadets may be disenrolled from the MCJROTC Program for the following reasons:

Cadets may be disenrolled from the MCJROTC Program for the following reasons:

 1. Academic Failure – You must pass MCJROTC in order to remain a part of it.   However, disenrollment is not automatic. Each case is reviewed and handled separately.

 2. Ineptitude – Students who consistently demonstrate an inability to develop leadership skills may be disenrolled.

 3. Poor Attitude – Any cadet who consistently displays a poor attitude regarding the MCJROTC program may be disenrolled.