Aside from including ROTC training in the college curriculum of military colleges and authorized universities, the United States federal government has also issued authorization for some military academies and high schools to include a Junior ROTC subject in their curriculum.

The purpose of the JROTC, according to Title 10, Section 2031 of the United States Code, is “to instill in students in the United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.”

The United States Army Junior ROTC aims to motivate young people to be better citizens. The program aims to develop leadership potential among high school students, starting them off early.

As a necessity for all military personnel, Junior ROTC training emphasizes physical fitness in its cadets. The physical training helps students to appreciate more deeply the importance of physical fitness in maintaining good health.

Junior ROTC is an important stepping-stone for those who want to proceed to a military career without actually enrolling in a military school, as they may not yet be final in their decision. Although the Junior ROTC was not primarily created as a recruitment tool, it helps those inclined in joining the military have a better and easier chance of pursuing their dreams. In addition, it helps recruiters as they can focus on helping those interested.

The Marine Corps even has some testimonies that fully one-third of those who join the Marine Corps Junior ROTC end up enlisting for the Marines. Some students who have enjoyed their experience during the Junior ROTC either enlist as service members or go on to join the Reserved Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) Program and end up as officers in the service.

Depending on the state and school, the Junior ROTC program is usually an elective course, and students who participate for one year receive credit in lieu of a physical education class. Most schools offer three to four years of Junior ROTC training, and students who excel in the first year can opt to take another year of training. Successful completion of 2 to 4 years of the program can give a graduate the option to enlist with an advanced rank in the Armed Forces.

Embarking on a military career is not as easy as it looks. Enlisting in the army is not enough to push you up the ranks of commissioned officers. A vital requirement would be to finish a college degree with elective courses in military training.

A soldier who already had military experience, especially in combat, and has shown potential to become a military leader is often recommended for this kind of promotion. On one hand, college students, or even high school students, who do not have military experience yet, but are interested in building a career with the military, are encouraged to enroll in military courses to augment their normal college curriculum.

All these courses are offered at a Senior Military College, specifically under a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. The ROTC Program is any enlisted personnel’s or cadet’s one-way ticket to becoming a commissioned officer. As long as an ROTC Program graduate is at the top of the graduating class, he or she is eligible to be commissioned as a ranking officer in the military.

In the United States, there are six major Senior Military Colleges, which include:

* North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Georgia
* Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont
* Texas A & M University in College Station, Texas
* The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina
* Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia

Each of these Senior Military Colleges offers four-year courses of military training, formation and military experience. They have a Corps of Cadets and are specifically recognized under 10 USC 2111(a).

The head of the U.S. Military Academy thinks it’s time to replace the “men” and “sons” in West Point’s two most beloved songs with more gender-neutral lyrics.

Lt. Gen. Franklin “Buster” Hagenbeck, superintendent of the nation’s oldest military academy, told a congressional oversight committee Wednesday that with more than 3,000 women graduating from West Point since 1976, the change is long overdue.

During a presentation Wednesday to the academy’s Board of Visitors meeting in Washington, Hagenbeck said he wants to change the words to the military academy’s alma mater and its companion piece, “The Corps.” Both songs date back about a century.

In “The Corps,” the proposals include changing “The men” to “The ranks,” and “We sons” to “The Corps.”

The superintendent said the changes aren’t being pushed by female cadets, but it’s a commonsense move considering the role women play in today’s military.

“When are they going to be recognized for what they’re doing?” he said.

Hagenbeck said he got the idea for the revision two years ago at a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of women being admitted to West Point. He listened as the female alums sang lyrics from the songs that included, “We sons of today, we salute you.”

Hagenbeck has spent the last few months discussing the possible changes with alumni, Army brass and cadets. He said he’ll make the final decision, possibly after graduation ceremonies on May 31 and before the Class of 2012 arrives this summer.

The academy’s Board of Visitors, made up of presidential appointees and members of Congress, voted unanimously to back whatever decision he makes. Three New York congressman — John McHugh, Maurice Hinchey and John Hall — are board members.

Francis Marion Military Academy is looking for a few good teenagers – specifically, boys and girls who will enter ninth and 10th grades in August.
The students must be drug-free if they hope to enroll at the new charter school, which opens Aug. 18. Monday marked the first day of enrollment for the academy, which will be the second of its kind – behind Sarasota Military Academy – in Florida. Officials hope to have 100 ninth- and 10th-graders when school opens.

The school is the brainchild of members of the Ocala-Silver Springs Rotary Club, who spent nearly three years seeking a charter. Morrey Deen, a former Ocala police chief, and Skip Archibald, a former superintendent of schools, spearheaded the quest.