The U.S. Army’s JROTC program currently operates in more than 1,700 public and private high schools throughout the United States and overseas. As JROTC students (Cadets) progress through the program, they experience opportunities to lead other Cadets. A major component of the JROTC leadership and citizenship program is female Cadets. Female Cadets make up 40% of the Cadet population. The JROTC faculty is led by nearly 4,000 instructors who are retired from active duty, reserve duty, or National Guard Army service. Instructors are trained and qualified in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act 2007 to teach and mentor approximately 314,000 JROTC Cadets annually.  

Collier County Public Schools currently has 7 Junior ROTC programs with an 8th opening up in the Fall of 2023.  Each of the CCPS JROTC programs is staffed with 2 instructors, and there are between 100 and 150 cadets in each program.  CCPS cadets volunteer close to 20,000 hours each year to their schools and their community.  Those volunteer opportunites have helped many cadets receive Florida Bright Futures Scholarships.

JROTC is not set up to recruit students into the military, and instructors do not request or expect a military commitment of any kind. There is no service obligation. Nonetheless, many cadets find they enjoy military discipline and structure; it brings out their best and allows them to excel. Some earn appointments to one of the military academies or scholarships to ROTC. Moreover, those who enlist can enter military service at a higher rank and pay grade.

The JROTC Curriculum

Since 2005, the U.S. Army JROTC program has been accredited as a Special Purpose Program by the national accrediting agency known as AdvancED. JROTC curriculum provides equitable and challenging academic content and authentic learning experiences for all Cadets. All lessons are designed using a four part model to motivate the Cadet, allow the Cadet to learn new information, practice competency, and apply the competency to a real-life situation. Moreover, the four part model requires Cadets to collaborate, reflect, develop critical thinking skills, and integrate content with other disciplines. JROTC curriculum includes lessons in leadership, health and wellness, physical fitness, first-aid, geography, American history and government, communications, and emotional intelligence. 

College Opportunities

Over the years, Collier JROTC programs have helped students earn millions of dollars in military related scholarships to federal academies and college/university ROTC programs  Students also receive GI bill scholarships when they enlist into the military.

 JROTC Co-Curricular Activities

Cadets participate in a myriad of co-curricular activities to demonstrate their attainment of lesson outcomes. Some of these activities include precision and exhibition military drill competitions, Color Guard support for a variety of school and community events, air rifle competitions, Raider Challenge competitions, JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities, and an adventure focused summer camp known as JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC). Cadets who complete 4 years of JROTC co-curricular activities and its challenging curriculum will be more college and/or career ready.

JROTC Program & Instructor Contact Information - Updated January 2023