WHAT IS NJROTC

WHAT IS NJROTC?

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.

WHAT DOES THE NJROTC PROGRAM DO?

PROMOTES PATRIOTISM
DEVELOPS INFORMED AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS
DEVELOPS RESPECT FOR CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY
DEVELOPS A HIGH DEGREE OF PERSONAL HONOR, SELF-RELIANCE, INDIVIDUAL DISCIPLINE AND LEADERSHIP
PROMOTES AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC ELEMENTS AND NEED FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE MILITARY SERVICES AS A POSSIBLE CAREER
PROMOTES COMMUNITY SERVICE
DEVELOPS LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL
PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE TO GANGS
PROMOTES HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION
PROVIDES INCENTIVE TO LIVE HEALTHY AND DRUG FREE

WHAT REQUIREMENTS MUST MY SCHOOL MEET?

A school desiring to host an NJROTC unit must be fully accredited by the appropriate state or regional accrediting agency and must make application to the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) for establishment of the unit. The school must enter into an agreement with the Navy and agree to:

Provide a 3-year or 4-year course of instruction in naval science utilizing materials provided.
Maintain unit enrollment specified in Department of Defense directives. For host schools with a total enrollment of 1,000 or more, the minimum figure is 100. Where schools have less than 1,000 students, the minimum is 10 percent of the total eligible school enrollment. New units usually meet this requirement by the second year of operation.
Employ appropriate numbers of properly certified Senior Naval Science and Naval Science Instructors. Two instructors are required up to a unit enrollment of 150.
Not discriminate against students or instructors on the grounds of race, sex, religion or national origin.
Provide suitable safeguards for the government-owned property that is provided for use in the NJROTC unit. Such safeguards shall include, but not be limited to, coverage for loss and damage of the property (e.g., bonds, insurance, etc.).
Substantiate approval for establishment of an NJROTC unit by the local school board.
Give no less than one full credit toward graduation for each academic year of NJROTC completed.

WHAT FACILITIES AND SERVICES MUST BE PROVIDED?

CLASSROOM SPACE. Each school must provide adequate dedicated classroom space for use by NJROTC instructors to accommodate the number of students enrolled in Naval Science classes.
STORAGE SPACE. The school should have approximately 1100 square feet of secure storage space for government property.
INSTRUCTOR OFFICE SPACE. Dedicated office space with desks and equipment including a telephone service with long distance and data transmission capability in the spaces assigned (150 square feet).
ASSEMBLY AREA. An area of adequate size for assembly of the entire NJROTC unit must be available. Usage of the assembly area will be determined in advance in keeping with the standard scheduling procedures in effect at the school.
DRILL FIELD. An easily accessible, level unobstructed area of sufficient size to accommodate the unit must be available for drilling. A minimum area of 6,400 square feet with a hard surface is desirable.
CLERICAL ASSISTANCE. The school shall provide clerical assistance to the Naval Science Instructors in connection with duties as head of an academic department on the same basis that such assistance is provided for other heads of departments.
GENERAL. Host schools are expected to provide the facilities specified, or comparable and adequate substitutes in the same manner that facilities are provided for other academic departments.

WHAT ABOUT THE CURRICULUM?

The Chief of Naval Education and Training prescribes the courses for naval science for NJROTC units that comprise the 3 or 4-year curriculum.

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 Chief of Naval Education and Training.
Naval Science Instructors follow the established procedures of individual schools regarding examination requirements.

WHAT SUBJECTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE CURRICULUM?

The Chief of Naval Education and Training 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:

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.

SO WHO INSTRUCTS THIS PROGRAM?

The Head of the Department of Naval Science at a school hosting an NJROTC program is called the Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI). The SNSI is the senior commissioned officer employed by the school. All other personnel employed by the school in the NJROTC Program are called Naval Science Instructors (NSI). At the school's option, one of the instructors may be a retired member of the Marine Corps or Coast Guard who is certified by the Navy to serve in the NJROTC program. Senior Naval Science Instructors (SNSIs) are commissioned officers (W2 through O6). Naval Science Instructors (NSIs) are retired enlisted personnel (E-6 through E-9). The minimum education requirement for SNSIs is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required of NSIs. Specific instructor qualification requirements will remain the decision of school officials who are the employers of these individuals. The Chief of Naval Education and Training enforces stringent certification requirements on all personnel applying to the NJROTC program. School officials may not offer employment to an applicant who does not possess a valid CNET certification.

WHAT DOES THE NAVY PROVIDE?

The Navy provides schools hosting NJROTC units with instructional materials, equipment, uniforms, monetary reimbursement for orientation trips, funds specified expenditures, and instructor salary reimbursement. Instructional materials include textbooks, training aids, and items of equipment such as computers, digital video disc players, digital video discs, video cassette recorders, video cameras, and monitors prescribed in the NJROTC curriculum. These items will normally be provided directly to the unit by CNET.

WHAT ARE THE STUDENT ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?

Be enrolled in and attending a regular course of instruction in a grade 9 through 12 at the school hosting the unit.
Be physically qualified to participate fully in the physical education program of the host school.
Be selected by the NJROTC instructor with the approval of the school principal or his/her 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 of the host school, 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.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NJROTC?

Over 60 percent of the NJROTC cadets graduating 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 who have completed 2 years of NJROTC may be recommended by their Senior Naval Science Instructor to receive special consideration for NROTC scholarship selection.
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.