Navy JROTC

The NJROTC program was established by Public Law in 1964 and may be found in Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 102. The program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the nation, by instructors who are retired Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. The NJROTC curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage, the significance of sea power, and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by community service activities, drill competition, field meets, flights, visits to naval activities, marksmanship training, and other military training. Uniforms, textbooks, training aids, travel allowance, and a substantial portion of instructors' salaries are provided by the Navy.

The Naval Science program is constructed to include three academic classroom sessions and two activity periods per week. The curriculum is based on 40-minute sessions of instruction for 36 weeks, with 180 teaching days. This equates to 7200 minutes of contact instruction (72 hours of classroom instruction and 48 hours of activities including military drill and athletics). Adjustments for class length other than 40-minute periods, as well as staggered, rotating or modular schedules, are made at the local school level.

• This program of 7200 minutes of instruction equates to one Carnegie unit or one credit per year toward graduation as an elective or other subject credit approved by school authorities.

• It is desired that all topics provided in the curriculum be covered, but the depth of coverage must be determined by each instructor according to the needs of his/her students. Major curriculum content changes are not to be made without the prior approval of the Naval Service Training Command.

• Naval Science Instructors follow the established procedures of individual schools regarding examination requirements

The Naval Service Training Command routinely updates the curriculum to include new texts, instructional materials and lesson plans. The curriculum is developed and revised by civilian educators and NJROTC instructors. The wide variety of subjects includes the following:

• CITIZENSHIP–Instill values and responsibilities of good citizenship.

• NAVAL ORIENTATION -- A basic introduction to the Navy -- its customs, traditions, and way of life.

• NAVAL OPERATIONS/ORGANIZATION -- Familiarizes the student with national strategy and naval forces, daily military operations, training, exercises, drills, and shipboard organization.

• NAVAL HISTORY -- History of the United States Navy from the colonial period to the present.

• NAVIGATION -- An introduction to piloting and celestial navigation.

• SEAMANSHIP -- An introduction to the general subjects of seamanship that include anchoring and mooring, ship handling, small boats, weather, ship construction, and steering and propulsion systems.

• LEADERSHIP -- An ongoing study of the principles and practical application of leadership with emphasis on providing opportunities for students to exercise and develop their own leadership abilities.

• NAUTICAL ASTRONOMY -- A study of astronomy and its application to celestial navigation.

• ELECTRONICS -- An introduction to electronics as the basis for shipboard radar, sonar, communications, and guidance systems.

• OCEANOGRAPHY -- Provides information on the collection and dissemination of hydrographic and navigational data of the world's ocean systems.

• DRILLS, COMMANDS, AND CEREMONIES -- Includes individual, squad, platoon, and company close order drill; rotation of command; physical fitness; personnel inspections; and parade in company review.

NJROTC cadets participate in a number of outside activities throughout the school year and during the summer months. These opportunities are designed to stimulate learning by hands-on experience and to reinforce classroom instruction. Some of these activities include:

• School and local activities such as drill teams, air rifle teams, orienteering, unit athletics, parades, field days, and nonpolitical community activities.

• Military/leadership training of about 1 week during the spring and summer months.

• Orientation visits (3 to 5 days) to various naval and military bases.

• Cruises aboard U.S. naval vessels (1 day to 2 weeks) normally conducted during the summer months.

• Be enrolled in and attending a regular course of instruction in a grade 9 through 12 

• Be physically qualified to participate fully in the physical education program 

• Be selected by the NJROTC instructor with the approval of the school principal or their representative.

• Maintain acceptable standards of academic achievement and an academic standing that warrants at least normal progression leading to graduation.

• Maintain acceptable standards of conduct.

• Comply with specified personal grooming standards. Common sense and good judgment apply to the attainment of these standards. Standards will not be relaxed so as to reflect disgrace on the naval service.

• Under the secondary school open enrollment policy and when desired by the principal, students in grades 9-12 who are otherwise ineligible for regular NJROTC enrollment may enroll as special NJROTC cadets. Special NJROTC cadets may participate in school approved NJROTC activities, be called naval cadets, wear the uniform, participate as cadet officers, and go on field trips and orientation visits to military installations. Special NJROTC students may not, however, be counted with that number required to maintain an NJROTC unit. Any special equipment or additional staff that may be needed to instruct special NJROTC students is provided by the school.

• Approximately 60 percent of the NJROTC cadets graduating seniors continue to higher education.

• NJROTC provides the opportunity for secondary school students to learn the basic elements and need for national security and their personal obligations as Americans.

• The program enhances the image of the military in the eyes of the community by providing a chance for success to the nation's youth.

• While the training is along military lines, it is conducted so as to encourage initiative and individuality to develop natural gifts, to teach self-control, develop personal character, responsibility and qualities of integrity, loyalty, and dedication.

• Cadets derive self-esteem from belonging to NJROTC.

• NJROTC cadets are better behaved, have higher attendance, are role models for the avoidance of substance abuse, have higher self-esteem, develop positive life skills, graduate at a higher rate, and are an excellent source of service accessions.

• The values, principles, and self-discipline taught in NJROTC promotes positive, productive behaviors and provides a support structure that is critical in helping cadets avoid the use of drugs.

• The NJROTC program is motivational in encouraging cadets to graduate from high school.

• Cadets presenting evidence of successful completion of at least 3 years of NJROTC are entitled to advanced promotion to pay grade E-3 upon initial enlistment in an active or reserve component of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, and pay grade E-2 in the Marine Corps.

• Cadets accepted for enlistment, who provide evidence of successful completion of 2 years of a NJROTC program are entitled to be enlisted in pay grade E-2 (except in the Marine Corps and Air Force).

• Senior Naval Science Instructor is authorized to nominate a maximum of three eligible cadets each year to compete for U.S. Naval Academy appointments.

• Administrators of host schools that are designated as Distinguished Units with Academic Honors may nominate three eligible NJROTC cadets as candidates for appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy in addition to the three nominations above to the U.S. Naval Academy.

1. Come to school and all classes on time, be ready to learn, with a notebook, pencil or pen every day. 

2. All Cadets, no sandals or slides allowed, must be closed toe shoes, headphones off, earbuds out. Males must tuck in shirts, earrings out, and pants with belt loops must have a belt. 

3. Know and follow classroom rules and procedures as outlined in the NJROTC Cadet Handbook and the Los Angeles County School District Student Handbook.

4. Male Cadets must have hair within standards prior to uniform inspection. Females must have hair in a bun or in standards outlined in the Cadet Field Manual (CFM). 

5. No sharing of Physical Fitness (PT) Gear or any uniform items (if a student loses their issued PT Gear, they can either A - pay for new ones or B - wear any other PT clothing that they did not wear to school.) 

6. All Students, Enrolled in NJROTC will be required to participate in the following mandatory extra-curricular activities: 
   a. Annual Military Inspection (2nd Semester) 
   b. Fall Awards (Fall 2022), Spring Awards and Change of Command (Spring 2023) 
   c. Each cadet is required to perform a minimum of 10 Community Service hours in NJROTC activities each Semester for a minimum of              20 hours annually. 
   d. Participate in at least 2 Fundraisers. 

7. Homework: As necessary assigned by the Naval Science Instructors. 
   Monday – As directed by Naval Science Instructors. Usually, Academics Day
   Tuesday or as Directed/Instructed – Uniform and Drill (arrive at school dressed in the complete uniform and remain dressed the entire              day. Cadets are not allowed to change out until they return home except for classes that could damage the uniform (Art, Ceramics,                Science Lab, etc., after school activities or sports, and work) 
   Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday – Physical Training, Bring PT gear to class, dress out and participate (only closed=toe shoes allowed)

8. Materials, supplies and equipment required: 
   a. Notebook, pencil or pen, Cadet Handbook, and Planner/Fully Charged Chromebook 
   b. Military Uniforms provided by the United States Navy (Tuesday or as instructed). 

9. Behavior must be in accordance with the following: 
   a. Los Angeles County School District Student Handbook. 
   b. Kennedy Student Handbook/Planner. 
   c. Kennedy NJROTC Cadet Handbook. 

10. How grade is determined: 
    25% ACADEMICS - Class work, Exams, Homework, and Assignments. 
    25% Physical Training - Dressing out, Participation, and Fitness Tests. 
    25% Uniform Inspections - Not wearing the uniform will result in a zero. Wearing it dishonorably are grounds for unenrollment.
    25% Cadet Like Qualities (CLQ) - Subjective Instructor Grade as determined by the Naval Science Instructors. This grade includes, but is not     limited to watch standing, military bearing, discipline, required forms turned in and overall performance in other classes.