JROTC In Action

JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps), extracurricular activities—often called co-curricular activities—are an essential part of the program. These activities are designed to reinforce leadership, teamwork, discipline, and citizenship skills learned in the classroom.  

Extra Curricular activities in JROTC:

🚩 Drill Team

• Armed Drill: Marching with rifles, includes regulation and exhibition (creative) routines.

• Unarmed Drill: Marching without rifles, also includes regulation and exhibition events.

• Color Guard: Presents and carries the national and state flags at events and ceremonies.

🪖 Raiders Team 

• A physically demanding team that competes in obstacle courses, rope bridges, physical fitness tests, and land navigation.

• Often compared to a military-style adventure race.

🎯 Marksmanship / Rifle Team

• Students are trained in gun safety and precision shooting (usually air rifle).

• Compete in local, state, and national shooting competitions.

🌐 Academic Team

• Competes in knowledge-based competitions.

• Topics include leadership, current events, U.S. government, JROTC curriculum, and more.

🧠 Leadership & Bowl Teams (JLAB)

• JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) competitions test leadership skills, teamwork, and academic knowledge.

🧭 Orienteering

• Competitive land navigation using a map and compass.

• Requires physical endurance and map-reading skills.

🗣️ Speech & Leadership Competitions

• Cadets may participate in essay contests, public speaking events, or leadership presentations.

🤝 Community Service & Volunteering

• Involvement in school and community events, like:

  • Assisting veterans' organizations

  • Supporting food drives

  • Clothing drives

  • Cure for Cancer

  • Empty Stocking Christmas fundraiser

  • Campus cleanups

  • Blood drive

  • Parades or ceremonies

  • Adopt a highway

🌎 Field Trips & Military Installations

• Visits to military bases, museums, or historical sites.

• College visits

• Summer/ leadership camps (JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge, or JCLC/STEM camp).

🏅 Honor Guard & Special Events

• Participates in formal ceremonies, parades, and school events.

• Often represents the unit during patriotic events or memorial services.

🎖️ PT (Physical Training) Teams

• Focused on building strength, endurance, and team fitness.

• Compete in push-up, sit-up, and running events.

Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) cadets participate in a wide range of academic-related activities that are designed to build leadership, citizenship, and personal responsibility—alongside classroom instruction. These activities often integrate both military structure and academic development.

Key academic activities JROTC cadets may participate in:

Classroom Instruction (JROTC Curriculum)

• Leadership Education and Training (LET): A series of courses (LET 1–4) covering leadership, citizenship, map reading, health & wellness, military history, communication skills, and financial literacy.

• Public speaking and writing assignments

• Group projects and presentations

Academic Bowl Competitions

• JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl (JLAB):

  • National academic competition testing cadets on ASVAB/SAT/ACT-style questions, general knowledge, leadership, and JROTC curriculum content.

  • Includes online rounds and a championship round in Washington, D.C.

STEM Activities

• Participation in STEM-focused initiatives and partnerships (e.g., robotics, coding, drone programming).

• Some JROTC units collaborate with local schools or colleges for STEM enrichment.

Service Learning Projects

• These are structured projects that combine community service with academic goals.

• Examples: Historical research projects, health and wellness campaigns, or environmental studies tied to science curricula.

Essay Contests and Writing Competitions

• Cadets may participate in writing contests sponsored by JROTC or external organizations (e.g., Veterans Day essays, leadership essays).

Leadership Development Programs

• Cadets are often required to complete leadership journals, self-assessments, and evaluations.

• Peer teaching is encouraged—advanced cadets mentor or instruct younger cadets in academic content.

Field Trips with Educational Focus

• Visits to military academies, museums, government buildings, local business industry or historical sites that support classroom learning.

Civic and Government Education

• Engaging in mock elections, attending city council meetings, or visiting state legislatures as part of learning about government and civic responsibility.

Drill and Ceremony (Applied Learning)

• While this is more physical, it’s also academic: cadets study military drill manuals, memorize commands, and learn coordination and leadership through structured training.