Posted on Oct 10, 2014
How did your JROTC experience benefit you when you joined the military?
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Sounds like a no-brainer question, but I have a specific reason for asking. My daughter is just starting her Freshman year in high school and JROTC. Her goal is to join the Army and be a military policewoman.
My question is aimed at those who attended JROTC in high school, or those who know someone who did. I can imagine that JROTC would be a great help, no matter what a person decides to do in the military -- enlist, service academy, college ROTC, etc. I know when I enlisted, I was about as naïve as a person could be. I'm expecting my daughter to be much better prepared than I was.
I'm hoping to hear about the experiences of those who attended JROTC, and how JROTC helped you when you joined the military.
My question is aimed at those who attended JROTC in high school, or those who know someone who did. I can imagine that JROTC would be a great help, no matter what a person decides to do in the military -- enlist, service academy, college ROTC, etc. I know when I enlisted, I was about as naïve as a person could be. I'm expecting my daughter to be much better prepared than I was.
I'm hoping to hear about the experiences of those who attended JROTC, and how JROTC helped you when you joined the military.
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JROTC
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 11
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Jrotc is similar to rotc and the real army in the sense that it's all about who you know and favoritism. However there wasn't anything physical about it. Just color guard and marching around. It was fun but I think it's better to use that hour for a more worthwhile class like a science or a math.
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It made me a PFC when I enlisted. I also learned to walk around in an organized cluster. With all that being said I guess it all worked out pretty good. But I didn't get busted down to E-1 in my last year. I don't really recall why but I am pretty sure it was on par with having a DUI.
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I was an Army JROTC Cadet. Ironically, I was the Cadet CSM :)
Definitely helped in IET. Plus I went in as a PFC. The only down side was the Drill Sergeant picked up on it and made me PLT guide. Spent a lot of time getting smoked in the sand pit. Built character though!
Definitely helped in IET. Plus I went in as a PFC. The only down side was the Drill Sergeant picked up on it and made me PLT guide. Spent a lot of time getting smoked in the sand pit. Built character though!
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CW5 (Join to see)
Thanks, CSM (Join to see). I hadn't considered the "down side" that Drill Sergeants might use a person's expertise to give them more responsibility. I guess it makes sense, though. You were better prepared than many (maybe most) of your peers, and the Drill Sergeant wanted to challenge everyone. Thanks for your response.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
I can concur that those folks that were JROTC, mil brats (especially sister service like me) and/or marching band in my BMT Flight got zero'd in on for "extra" attention.
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SSG Mike Simpson
I spent 6 years under NDCC (National Defense Cadet Corps) and spent more time with an M-1 rifle and bayonet. My junior and senior years were spent with the school's combat platoon where I served as the instructor for the other cadets. In 1970 when I entered service at Ft. Ord, CA I was appointed Platoon Guide for both BCT and AIT. In basic I had a blast when it came time for bayonet training. In the pit with the pugil sticks, I kicked butt. When my DI asked me where I learned my skills, I told him of my time in military school. I then became his assistant during bayonet training. My SF weapons training on the M-1 was like old home week. I took my weapon apart and put it back together faster than anyone in the class. When asked I replied that living with one of these rifles and having already had an "M-1 Thumb", I knew that weapon intimately. Also I made E-3 out of basic, so yes there are advantages.
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