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FAQs

Why JROTC? And how can it help you?

  1. High School Transition Assistance

The teenage years are one of the most difficult times in life. It’s a time of exploring, a time of challenging the old rules and relationships, and therefore a time of great uncertainty. JROTC provides a haven outside of family that students can depend on and feel at home with. It instills the Christian ethics and morals they can stand on and grow from. JROTC provides structure they are searching for; the rules and discipline they can accept; goals they are willing to pursue; interest that engage their minds, body and spirits; and all the support they need from both instructors and peers. The mastering of leadership techniques instills a quiet confidence that comes from knowing what they are capable of, and the character to do what it takes to accomplish their goals.

  1. College Assistance

The JROTC program is recognized by colleges and perspective employers for its leadership building program. College applications give JROTC experience the same credit as an Eagle Scout award. Employers choose JROTC students over other applicants because of their dependability, integrity, leadership, and dependability. Military scholarships are worth up to $60,000. JROTC students have received regular college scholarships for marksmanship. The program can assist with much more than mere money; it provides students with the discipline and maturity skills needed to be successful in life.

  1. Adventure

The JROTC program is one of the most dynamic programs in the school and offers a variety of fun and adventure activities such as fall and winter camp outs, drill and marksmanship competitions, survival training, field trips, cave exploring, kayaking on the boundary waters, cross country skiing, rappelling, and leadership reaction courses, and an opportunity to attend an actual military summer camp. These activities are all optional and not required for the grade.

  1. Lifelong Friendships 

The Cadet Battalion family welcomes all new students. The program develops leadership potential with the ability to live and work cooperatively with others. Unlike other classes, JROTC teaches tolerance and empathy. JROTC is all about teamwork. Every student has a job and every job is important to the Battalion. As friends and mentors, they assist each other with homework, sharing personal problems, offering conflict resolution, and peer counseling with sound advice, as well as sharing Christian hugs and prayers.

  1. Build Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem

The JROTC program builds self-confidence and self-esteem through leadership training and responsibility. Second year students are given leadership positions and are taught to set sound goals. They are closely mentored by the instructors and senior cadets. These new leaders are guided to learn from their mistakes so that they can continually improve on their leadership skills. Cadets are recognized with numerous ribbons, medals and rank. These newly acquired skills of organization, self-discipline and responsibility are quickly noted in their other high school classes, extracurricular activities, jobs, and homes.

  1. Marksmanship Letter 

Concordia has one of the most dynamic and respected marksmanship programs in the nation. The Cadet Battalion has a long history of meeting the qualifications for competing in this national competition. The JROTC Rifle Team is recognized as a lettered sport.

Why Students Don’t Join JROTC

  1. I don’t want to join the military. 

JROTC IS NOT a recruiting station. The mission of the program is to motivate young people to become better citizens. The purpose of the program is to instill the values of citizenship, service to community, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. JROTC students are the leaders of tomorrow. Students are taught the importance of a high school diploma and further education for a successful future. JROTC teaches life skills, career opportunities, writing resumes, and preparation for job interviews.

For those who do aspire to join the military, the JROTC experience will provide many advantages. The program can help student leaders join the military branch of their choice at a higher rank and up to a $300 monthly pay increase for the duration of their enlistment. JROTC can provide all the physical conditioning and skills necessary to ease the cadets through their boot camp or basic training experience. The Cadet Battalion has traditionally assisted Concordia students in various military academy appointments.

  1. I don’t want to wear the uniform. 

In reality the uniform is worn less than one day a week and some of those days the Battalion T-shirts and slacks are worn. The uniform is yet another way for JROTC to impart responsibility, teamwork, organization, and discipline. It is a means for the Cadet Battalion to show their self-confidence and pride in the display of their well earned medals, ribbons and rank. The uniform is worn to impart pride and self-confidence, teach responsibility and teamwork. There is no charge to the student for the use of the uniform or other military equipment. Yes, you will stand out in your uniform, but so will your confident attitude, rank and leadership abilities.

  1. I don’t have time. 

The Cadet Battalion has always included Concordia’s honor students who are also officers and leaders. They are active members in numerous other Concordia extracurricular activities such as class officers, student council, football, cheerleading, marching band, drama, and various other sports teams. Unlike some school activities, JROTC works around their other commitments because it knows the importance of students being well rounded and involved. JROTC extracurricular activities are not required for the grade, but it is only fair that cadet participation in these activities helps them earn their medals, ribbons and rank.

It is never too late to be successful!