Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
To Motivate Young People To Be Better CitizensBack to Top
Do I have to cut my hair to be in JROTC? (Males)
When combed, your hair must A) Not touch the collar of your shirt; B) Not touch your ears; C) Not fall below your eyebrows; and D) not interfere with the normal wear of issued headgear. Hair will be of natural colors. Males cannot wear "corn-rows".Back to Top
How often do I have to wear the JROTC Uniform?
It is mandatory that you must wear the JROTC uniform once a week and normally on Wednesday's unless otherwise directed. Note: You will receive a failing grade (F) if you fail to wear your uniform three (3) times in a nine (9) week period, regardless of your academic grade in JROTC.Back to Top
Can I receive academic credit for JROTC?
Yes. You can receive 1 elective credit for one year completion of JROTC with a passing grade. Also, you can receive credit for your Health graduation requirement by successfully completing 1 year of JROTC AND taking the health class for credit in JROTC (normally during your sophomore year)In other words, you need 1 1/2 years of either PE or JROTC plus a half year credit for Health. JROTC can satisfy both requirements.Back to Top
Do I incur a military obligation by taking JROTC?
Absolutely not. JROTC does offer information and career opportunities for those interested in the U.S. Armed Forces. But it does not recruit for them and cadets are under NO service obligation by taking JROTC.Back to Top
JROTC is a class that teaches many life-important skills that you do not normally get in a regular class. Leadership, Followership, Teamwork, Self- Discipline, Motivation, Counseling, Mentoring, and Role-Modelling are but a few skills that are taught in JROTC classes and labs. Setting the example by word and deed as well as learning to take responsibility for your actions will serve you well in life. This is not an ordinary sit-down in your seat class.Back to Top
What kind of activities can I expect in JROTC? Are they FUN?
First, FUN can be different from person to person. You get what you give. Picnic's, Six-Flag trip, the JROTC Military Ball, Orientation trips to Barksdale AFB, Service Learning Trips, Community-School-JROTC support activities, Orienteering Meets, Drill Team and Rifle Team competitions, and Outdoor Adventure team activities such as canoeing, rappeling, hiking, and camping are but a few of the opportunities that cadets can enjoy.Back to Top
Not really. It can be very tough if you don't study for tests, do not wear your uniform correctly, violate class/lab rules, or do not participate in scheduled activities. Most cadets find JROTC easy and a GPA booster!Back to Top
Do I have to pay for my JROTC uniform?
Depends. The JROTC uniform is issued to you FREE of costs. However, IF you lose, damage by neglect, or destroy any uniform item--you are going to be held liable for payment of those item (s).Back to Top
What is the hair policy for females in JROTC.
When combed, your hair must A) Not fall below the collar of your JROTC shirt; B) Not touch your ears; C) Not fall below your eyebrows; and D) not interfere with the normal wear of issued headgear. Hair will be of natural colors. If the hair is worn up, then the device holding up the hair must be of a natural hair color, the same as the natural hair color of the individual. i.e. a black hair pin holding up black hair. For example, if your hair is blond, you are not permitted to wear an orange scrunchie to hold it up.Back to Top
Can males and females wear earrings in JROTC?
Males cannot ear any earrings at anytime when wearing any JROTC uniform. Females can wear earrings when wearing the JROTC Uniform, but they can only wear ONE matching set and it must be in the ear lobe and must be of a small spherical (ball-type)shape no larger than 1/4 of an inch in diameter. NO HOOPS are permitted while in JROTC uniform.Back to Top
Is there any item that I must purchase for the JROTC uniform?
Yes. ALL cadets (male and females) must purchase and wear a white crew-neck type T-Shirt (free of any writing or print) underneath their JROTC uniform shirt.Back to Top
What are the basic expectations for a cadet in the Northwood HS JROTC program
1. GENERAL. The mission of Junior ROTC is �To motivate young people to be better citizens.� As part of this mission, the JROTC cadre will grade their cadets on their conduct, participation in cadet activities, as well as academic performance. 2. BEHAVIOR. A student�s conduct at Northwood High School will have a bearing on their cadet rank and duty position. Cadets will follow all Caddo Parish and Northwood High School rules at all times. The Senior Army Instructor will reduce the rank of any cadet suspended by the school or showing disrespect to any of the JROTC cadre. 3. PARTICIPATION. Cadet participation in the activities of the JROTC Department will have an impact on their class grade. a. Assignments. Cadets will turn in class work and homework at the prescribed time. b. Uniform Wear. Wearing the uniform is mandatory for all cadets. On uniform days, cadets must properly wear the complete uniform from the time they leave home until they return home at the end of the school day. If a cadet fails to wear his/her uniform on three uniform days during a nine weeks grading period, that cadet will receive no greater than the highest failing grade for that nine weeks. Cadets failing both nine weeks for failing to wear the uniform will fail the semester. c. Mandatory events. All cadets must wear their uniform and attend the Annual Inspection, Veteran�s Day ceremony, Cadet Challenge, and JROTC Awards Day. These ceremonies are worth a lot of points toward your grade. If you miss one of the mandatory events, you will likely fail your JROTC class for that semester. Students who fail their JROTC course for missing a mandatory event may not enroll in future JROTC classes. 4. JROTC PROPERTY. The uniforms and equipment issued by the Northwood JROTC Department is property of the United States Government and paid for by the American taxpayer. Cadets will follow the rules listed below with regard to issued property: a. Cadets will protect the uniforms, equipment, and materials issued to them. b. Cadets will not loan any JROTC property issued to them to another person. c. Cadets will clean their uniform in accordance with the instructions sewn in the garment. d. Parents must pay for lost or damaged JROTC property issued to their child. The basic JROTC uniform costs approximately $195.00. Additional co-curricular team uniform items increase that cost to over $300.00. 5. JROTC CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. In addition to the regular classroom instruction, JROTC offers the following co-curricular activities to cadets in good standing with the JROTC department. a. Color Guard - A team of cadets that present the US Flag, and other flags at school and local community activities. They also compete against other teams within the parish and outside the state. b. Drill Team - A team of cadets who excel in drill and ceremonies. This team participates in demonstrations, parades, and competes against other teams within the parish and outside the state. c. Orienteering Team - A team of cadets who study and practice land navigation skills. They compete against other teams within the parish and outside the state. d. Rifle Team - A team of cadets who practice their marksmanship skills. The varsity and junior varsity teams compete against the other JROTC rifle teams within the parish. e. Blazer Team - A team that learns to construct rope bridges, rappel from a 50 foot tower, camp, and canoe. The team prepares themselves physically to compete against the other JROTC programs in the Viking Challenge competition and physical fitness meets. 6. FUND RAISING. The JROTC Department receives no money from the school or the US Government to support many of the activities we perform such as the annual military ball, awards ceremony, annual picnic, and co-curricular activities. These activities give the cadets an opportunity to have fun, grow as individuals, learn teamwork, and represent their school. Some of these activities require the students to pay, such as the military ball, competition entry fees, etc. Each semester the JROTC Department conducts a fund raiser to reduce or eliminate any cost to the cadets. Cadets who make the minimum sales goal will be able to attend some JROTC functions without charge. Fundraising is optional for the cadets and has no bearing on their grade. The cadre sponsors of the co-curricular teams may require their team members to participate in the fundraisers, but that will have no bearing on the cadet�s grade. Parents are responsible for the fundraising items sold, and the money collected. If you do not want your child to participate in our fundraisers, place an [X] in front of the statement below: [ ] My child or ward does not have my permission to participate in JROTC fund raisers. 7. LEADERSHIP. The JROTC Department teaches leadership to our cadets. Initially, leadership training begins with followership. Cadets must follow the directions of the JROTC cadre and the cadets placed in leadership positions. I select cadets that excel in JROTC (specifically drill and ceremonies) to leadership positions in the battalion. The first year of JROTC generally has no leadership positions. The second year of JROTC has the greatest number of leadership positions. The third and fourth years of JROTC each has decreasing numbers of leadership positions. I do not guarantee a leadership position to any cadet. Positions go to the best qualified cadet based on the subjective evaluation of the cadre. Cadets not selected for a leadership position will hold a rank that reflects their position in the battalion. 8. PERSONAL APPEARANCE. On uniform days, I expect cadets to generally conform with the US Army appearance standards. In addition to wearing the uniform properly, some of the appearance standards are: a. All cadets must: (1) not wear more than one ring on each hand; (2) not wear any jewelry on the eyebrows, nose, lips, or tongue; and (3) wear their hair so that it does not interfere with the wear of the garrison cap. b. Male cadets must (1) be clean shaven (a mustache is permitted if it does not extend below the mouth; (2) wear their hair so that it is not shaggy, unkempt, or extreme in appearance. It must not fall below the eyebrows or ears, or touch the top of the shirt collar (except for the short cropped neck hair); (3) not braid their hair (corn rows); and (4) not wear earrings. c. Female cadets must (1) wear their hair so that it is not shaggy, unkempt, or extreme in appearance, and does not fall below the eyebrows or fall below the bottom of the shirt collar; (2) only wear one pair of stud type earrings not exceeding � inch in diameter in gold, silver, or pearl; (3) only wear hair clips that are transparent or similar in color to the hair, and (4) limit lipstick and nail polish to conservative colors. 9. PARENTAL SUPPORT. Occasionally, the JROTC Department needs parents to serve as chaperones. If you are willing to chaperone a JROTC activity, please initial in the space provided. [_____] I may be willing to chaperone a JROTC activity. 10. SUMMARY. The JROTC program receives an inspection every year. It requires the best effort and cooperation of every cadet to maintain our Honor Unit with Distinction rating. If you do not plan to follow the JROTC department rules, please see me as soon as possible. If you think you have what it takes to excel in JROTC, you and your parent or guardian must sign this memorandum and return it to your instructor. I hope you decide to remain in the JROTC program. You will learn a lot and have fun while learning!Back to Top