Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is the mission of JROTC?
- Do I have to cut my hair to be in JROTC? (Males)
- How often do I have to wear the JROTC Uniform?
- Can I receive academic credit for JROTC?
- Do I incur a military obligation by taking JROTC?
- Why should I take JROTC?
- What kind of activities can I expect in JROTC? Are they FUN?
- Is JROTC a hard-tough course?
- Do I have to pay for my JROTC uniform?
- What is the hair policy for females in JROTC.
- Can males and females wear earrings in JROTC?
- Is there any item that I must purchase for the JROTC uniform?
- What are the basic expectations for a cadet in the Northwood HS JROTC program
What is the mission of JROTC?
To Motivate Young People To Be Better Citizens
Do I have to cut my hair to be in JROTC? (Males)
When combed, your hair must A) Not touch the collar of your shirt; B) Not
touch your ears; C) Not fall below your eyebrows; and D) not interfere with
the normal wear of issued headgear. Hair will be of natural colors. Males
cannot wear "corn-rows".
How often do I have to wear the JROTC Uniform?
It is mandatory that you must wear the JROTC uniform once a week and
normally on Wednesday's unless otherwise directed. Note: You will receive a
failing grade (F) if you fail to wear your uniform three (3) times in a nine
(9) week period, regardless of your academic grade in JROTC.
Can I receive academic credit for JROTC?
Yes. You can receive 1 elective credit for one year completion of JROTC with
a passing grade. Also, you can receive credit for your Health graduation
requirement by successfully completing 1 year of JROTC AND taking the health
class for credit in JROTC (normally during your sophomore year)In other
words, you need 1 1/2 years of either PE or JROTC plus a half year credit
for Health. JROTC can satisfy both requirements.
Do I incur a military obligation by taking JROTC?
Absolutely not. JROTC does offer information and career opportunities for
those interested in the U.S. Armed Forces. But it does not recruit for them
and cadets are under NO service obligation by taking JROTC.
Why should I take JROTC?
JROTC is a class that teaches many life-important skills that you do not
normally get in a regular class. Leadership, Followership, Teamwork, Self-
Discipline, Motivation, Counseling, Mentoring, and Role-Modelling are but a
few skills that are taught in JROTC classes and labs. Setting the example by
word and deed as well as learning to take responsibility for your actions
will serve you well in life. This is not an ordinary sit-down in your seat
class.
What kind of activities can I expect in JROTC? Are they FUN?
First, FUN can be different from person to person. You get what you give.
Picnic's, Six-Flag trip, the JROTC Military Ball, Orientation trips to
Barksdale AFB, Service Learning Trips, Community-School-JROTC support
activities, Orienteering Meets, Drill Team and Rifle Team competitions, and
Outdoor Adventure team activities such as canoeing, rappeling, hiking, and
camping are but a few of the opportunities that cadets can enjoy.
Is JROTC a hard-tough course?
Not really. It can be very tough if you don't study for tests, do not wear
your uniform correctly, violate class/lab rules, or do not participate in
scheduled activities. Most cadets find JROTC easy and a GPA booster!
Do I have to pay for my JROTC uniform?
Depends. The JROTC uniform is issued to you FREE of costs. However, IF you
lose, damage by neglect, or destroy any uniform item--you are going to be
held liable for payment of those item (s).
What is the hair policy for females in JROTC.
When combed, your hair must A) Not fall below the collar of your JROTC
shirt; B) Not touch your ears; C) Not fall below your eyebrows; and D) not
interfere with the normal wear of issued headgear. Hair will be of natural
colors. If the hair is worn up, then the device holding up the hair must be
of a natural hair color, the same as the natural hair color of the
individual. i.e. a black hair pin holding up black hair. For example, if
your hair is blond, you are not permitted to wear an orange scrunchie to
hold it up.
Can males and females wear earrings in JROTC?
Males cannot ear any earrings at anytime when wearing any JROTC uniform.
Females can wear earrings when wearing the JROTC Uniform, but they can only
wear ONE matching set and it must be in the ear lobe and must be of a small
spherical (ball-type)shape no larger than 1/4 of an inch in diameter. NO
HOOPS are permitted while in JROTC uniform.
Is there any item that I must purchase for the JROTC uniform?
Yes. ALL cadets (male and females) must purchase and wear a white crew-neck
type T-Shirt (free of any writing or print) underneath their JROTC uniform
shirt.
What are the basic expectations for a cadet in the Northwood HS JROTC program
1. GENERAL. The mission of Junior ROTC is �To motivate young people to
be better citizens.� As part of this mission, the JROTC cadre will grade
their cadets on their conduct, participation in cadet activities, as well as
academic performance.
2. BEHAVIOR. A student�s conduct at Northwood High School will have a
bearing on their cadet rank and duty position. Cadets will follow all Caddo
Parish and Northwood High School rules at all times. The Senior Army
Instructor will reduce the rank of any cadet suspended by the school or
showing disrespect to any of the JROTC cadre.
3. PARTICIPATION. Cadet participation in the activities of the JROTC
Department will have an impact on their class grade.
a. Assignments. Cadets will turn in class work and homework at the
prescribed time.
b. Uniform Wear. Wearing the uniform is mandatory for all cadets.
On uniform days, cadets must properly wear the complete uniform from the
time they leave home until they return home at the end of the school day.
If a cadet fails to wear his/her uniform on three uniform days during a nine
weeks grading period, that cadet will receive no greater than the highest
failing grade for that nine weeks. Cadets failing both nine weeks for
failing to wear the uniform will fail the semester.
c. Mandatory events. All cadets must wear their uniform and attend
the Annual Inspection, Veteran�s Day ceremony, Cadet Challenge, and JROTC
Awards Day. These ceremonies are worth a lot of points toward your grade.
If you miss one of the mandatory events, you will likely fail your JROTC
class for that semester. Students who fail their JROTC course for missing a
mandatory event may not enroll in future JROTC classes.
4. JROTC PROPERTY. The uniforms and equipment issued by the Northwood
JROTC Department is property of the United States Government and paid for by
the American taxpayer. Cadets will follow the rules listed below with regard
to issued property:
a. Cadets will protect the uniforms, equipment, and materials issued
to them.
b. Cadets will not loan any JROTC property issued to them to another
person.
c. Cadets will clean their uniform in accordance with the
instructions sewn in the garment.
d. Parents must pay for lost or damaged JROTC property issued to
their child. The basic JROTC uniform costs approximately $195.00.
Additional co-curricular team uniform items increase that cost to over
$300.00.
5. JROTC CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. In addition to the regular classroom
instruction, JROTC offers the following co-curricular activities to cadets
in good standing with the JROTC department.
a. Color Guard - A team of cadets that present the US Flag, and
other flags at school and local community activities. They also compete
against other teams within the parish and outside the state.
b. Drill Team - A team of cadets who excel in drill and
ceremonies. This team participates in demonstrations, parades, and competes
against other teams within the parish and outside the state.
c. Orienteering Team - A team of cadets who study and practice land
navigation skills. They compete against other teams within the parish and
outside the state.
d. Rifle Team - A team of cadets who practice their marksmanship
skills. The varsity and junior varsity teams compete against the other
JROTC rifle teams within the parish.
e. Blazer Team - A team that learns to construct rope bridges,
rappel from a 50 foot tower, camp, and canoe. The team prepares themselves
physically to compete against the other JROTC programs in the Viking
Challenge competition and physical fitness meets.
6. FUND RAISING. The JROTC Department receives no money from the school
or the US Government to support many of the activities we perform such as
the annual military ball, awards ceremony, annual picnic, and co-curricular
activities. These activities give the cadets an opportunity to have fun,
grow as individuals, learn teamwork, and represent their school. Some of
these activities require the students to pay, such as the military ball,
competition entry fees, etc. Each semester the JROTC Department conducts a
fund raiser to reduce or eliminate any cost to the cadets. Cadets who make
the minimum sales goal will be able to attend some JROTC functions without
charge. Fundraising is optional for the cadets and has no bearing on their
grade. The cadre sponsors of the co-curricular teams may require their team
members to participate in the fundraisers, but that will have no bearing on
the cadet�s grade. Parents are responsible for the fundraising items sold,
and the money collected. If you do not want your child to participate in
our fundraisers, place an [X] in front of the statement below:
[ ] My child or ward does not have my permission to participate in JROTC
fund raisers.
7. LEADERSHIP. The JROTC Department teaches leadership to our cadets.
Initially, leadership training begins with followership. Cadets must follow
the directions of the JROTC cadre and the cadets placed in leadership
positions. I select cadets that excel in JROTC (specifically drill and
ceremonies) to leadership positions in the battalion. The first year of
JROTC generally has no leadership positions. The second year of JROTC has
the greatest number of leadership positions. The third and fourth years of
JROTC each has decreasing numbers of leadership positions. I do not
guarantee a leadership position to any cadet. Positions go to the best
qualified cadet based on the subjective evaluation of the cadre. Cadets not
selected for a leadership position will hold a rank that reflects their
position in the battalion.
8. PERSONAL APPEARANCE. On uniform days, I expect cadets to generally
conform with the US Army appearance standards. In addition to wearing the
uniform properly, some of the appearance standards are:
a. All cadets must:
(1) not wear more than one ring on each hand;
(2) not wear any jewelry on the eyebrows, nose, lips, or tongue;
and
(3) wear their hair so that it does not interfere with the wear
of the garrison cap.
b. Male cadets must
(1) be clean shaven (a mustache is permitted if it does not
extend below the mouth;
(2) wear their hair so that it is not shaggy, unkempt, or
extreme in appearance. It must not fall below the eyebrows or ears, or
touch the top of the shirt collar (except for the short cropped neck hair);
(3) not braid their hair (corn rows); and
(4) not wear earrings.
c. Female cadets must
(1) wear their hair so that it is not shaggy, unkempt,
or extreme in appearance, and does not fall below the eyebrows or fall below
the bottom of the shirt collar;
(2) only wear one pair of stud type earrings not exceeding �
inch in diameter in gold, silver, or pearl;
(3) only wear hair clips that are transparent or similar in
color to the hair, and
(4) limit lipstick and nail polish to conservative colors.
9. PARENTAL SUPPORT. Occasionally, the JROTC Department needs parents
to serve as chaperones. If you are willing to chaperone a JROTC activity,
please initial in the space provided.
[_____] I may be willing to chaperone a JROTC activity.
10. SUMMARY. The JROTC program receives an inspection every year. It
requires the best effort and cooperation of every cadet to maintain our
Honor Unit with Distinction rating. If you do not plan to follow the JROTC
department rules, please see me as soon as possible. If you think you have
what it takes to excel in JROTC, you and your parent or guardian must sign
this memorandum and return it to your instructor. I hope you decide to
remain in the JROTC program. You will learn a lot and have fun while
learning!
