Do programs such as JROTC and BSA produce young men and women that are more likely to succeed in the military?

2017-06-17T17:57:53-04:00

It is widely known that these programs come with their perks of you enlist. Eagle Scouts and JROTC cadets (with enough time) earn promotions to E-2 upon enlisting. But do you believe that these programs actually roduce young men and women who do better in the military than your regular high school graduate?

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jun 17 at 2017 6:10 PM

2017-06-17T18:10:37-04:00

I think it helps a little bit, but it is more the character of the person. The best sailor I ever had working for me, was a high school dropout with a GED. He had no time for extracurriculars, as he worked odd jobs to help his Mom. I was in HS JROTC and was an Eagle Scout. Never really found that it helped me out that much. My 2 cents...

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Jun 17 at 2017 6:18 PM

2017-06-17T18:18:53-04:00

Sure didn't hurt me!

Response by SGT Jeffrey Dennis made Jun 17 at 2017 6:50 PM

2017-06-17T18:50:28-04:00

It certainly helped me. It teaches you about leadership, attention to detail, responsibility, and drill and ceremonies.

Response by SSG Ronald Bloodworth made Jun 17 at 2017 6:57 PM

2017-06-17T18:57:16-04:00

I think it helps to a certain extent if the student takes it seriously. I enrolled in JROTC in high school. The lesson plans were directly out of FM 22-100 and the instructor was a grizzled old retired MSG from the Vietnam era. He was a no-nonsense kind of guy and added many of his own experiences his career and tours of duty.
When I enlisted in the Army myself, a few years later, I entered with some knowledge that other enlisted without any prior exposure had. Whilw that knowledge didn't garner any special treatment, nor should it have, I did have the benefit of knowing what I was in for and why. Honestly though, being an Army brat and having a dad who was an drill instructor, literally, may have had a little something to do with my preparations too. Happy Fathers Day, Dad.

Response by Cadet MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2017 8:25 PM

2017-06-17T20:25:59-04:00

Yes it Does I've done it for 3 years and it was an amazing experience now I service in the Army National Guard!

Response by 1SG Clifford Barnes made Jun 17 at 2017 9:11 PM

2017-06-17T21:11:08-04:00

It can be of assistance but it depends on the individual and the attitude he has and his desire to use it for what it is. Just my observation

Response by Jayden Manning made Jun 17 at 2017 9:14 PM

2017-06-17T21:14:01-04:00

All depends on the person ive done jrotc for a year lot out a my control but I couldn't do it for four years if I was to stay maybe my life would have turned out better I know my grades would have been since I needed an ab Average To get promoteted made family proud but honestly seems like it never enough so selfishly I am doing what makes me proud so if enlightenment or early comish is it so be it I've seen all walks of life some people went in the military with decent careers others became big fuckups me inculded

Response by SPC Sean Slaughter made Jun 18 at 2017 1:15 AM

2017-06-18T01:15:50-04:00

AJROTC as well as scouting (only made life scout) helped me in training sure. It gave me a leg up on what to expect, terminology, D & C, rank structure and a few other fundamentals. I wasn't some top 1% Soldier though; I was average for the most part.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2017 4:56 PM

2017-06-18T16:56:24-04:00

Depends on the program. My High School had an AFJROTC program that gave you an early curriculum in backstabbing and popularity contests.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2017 9:40 AM

2017-06-20T09:40:34-04:00

I was in scouts but didn't have JROTC at my school. Scouts certainly helped as far as giving me some experience in the woods. From what I saw of others who had been in JROTC it gave them an advantage in boot camp for sure. They already knew the rank structure and some drill movements and whatnot. So I'm sure their life was a little easier in that regard. But it didn't take long for the rest of us to catch up. And past boot camp I can't recall anyone ever claiming that JROTC or BSA gave them any more credibility than anyone else.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2017 12:37 PM

2017-06-26T12:37:16-04:00

I can only offer 2nd hand knowledge, knowing several people who've done JROTC and several people who didn't but still made it quite far in the various branches of the Military:

I think those that it helps the most (but not exclusively these people) are those who weren't otherwise going to succeed, because it prepares them and gives them the small edge they need. I doubt that anyone who is actually "prime military material" need the leg-up, however it might still make the initial experience of basic training "suck less".

Adapt and overcome or what ever it is they say - the military is supposed to be a bit of a culture shock, and last I heard, the very idea of basic training is to ensure that everyone obtains a shared identity - so it will hardly matter that you have a special background then, as long as you don't break.

Bottom line is, most people (according to statistics) do manage to get through basic training, and I assume (otherwise, why would this program exist?) that JROTC enhances your chances of being in that majority, but beyond that point I don't think it helps you any further, as if you get through Basic, you probably know everything that someone who has gone through JROTC knows, and probably more.

I might be wrong though!
After all, the purpose of JROTC has to involve some sort of leadership training, doesn't it? Though I've just never heard anyone who attended JROTC actually talk about this. They mostly mentioned Drill-ceremonies, learning basic military knowledge and extremely basic marksmanship and weapon discipline - all of which sound like excellent things to know before joining the military though, but also sound like something you're going to learn anyway if you join.

As far as I've been told (mind you, I have NO first hand experience), JROTC isn't really that complex and doesn't teach you that many "advanced skills" (what ever that is) that will help you succeed later in your military career, but it could differ from "group" to "group".

I'm told that the first few advancements in the US military are typically not that competitive, but I imagine that what ever impression you make during your first promotions regardless, might still stick with you and if JROTC helps you make better impressions, it could literally help you succeed, but I don't think a whole lot of people are going to come out and say "I was promoted to E5 instead of Billy Bob, purely because I was better at... I dunno, marching in formation, because I learned that from JROTC and was just slightly better at it" - because admittedly, it sounds very marginal and I don't think anyone really wants to think of themselves as "that guy who got the leg-up", but instead prefer to focus on the real reasons they made E5 - namely that they Enlisted and did their best and it turned out to be enough.

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It's quite possibly a much bigger advantage for those seeking ROTC (on college level) scholarships, as I understand that these people are allowed to "skip" basic training, which I assume means you have to learn the same lessons, but while also having the distractions of a civilian life and a college education going on.

I understand that ROTC is fairly competitive as it is, so having attended JROTC first might help you even obtain the scholarship to begin with.

Anyway, I don't really know what I'm talking about, but as someone who is hoping to join the military some day, I sure wish I had had the option to do JROTC to prepare myself better.

I'm sure it would make the prospect of joining the military much less intimidating.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 31 at 2017 9:28 PM

2017-08-31T21:28:42-04:00

My observation based on 3 years of Teaching ROTC MS3 class at Oregon State University and running the OPS side of the unit for all classes MS1-MS4 is it can help some decide its not for them... Some that might otherwise end up with a commission and in a unit trying to figure out how to get out.
I suppose JROTC may be the same..

And it CAN provide them some valuable insight into what they may experience, but it is really dependent on the program, Some of the ROTC programs focus on cadet pre commissioning qualifications, graduation and commissioning, NOTHING gets in the way of that, Not mentorship, not training, no icky military stuff, nothing, Just get them qualified, assist them in getting a degree in something, don't scare them with reality of military life, possible and likely challenges after IOBC and PCS to their first unit...they have to show up and raise their hand so nothing but rainbows, cotton candy and tails of free beer and hot tub parties at every unit. ...If they get though Advanced camp, complete degree and commission many school programs call that a win.

Response by PO3 Brenton Holbrook made Oct 30 at 2017 8:05 PM

2017-10-30T20:05:05-04:00

I personally believe that the program definitely help. I was a member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets and I was promoted to E-3 upon graduation from Recruit Training. The reason why is because as a Sea Cadet, I completed the Navy's correspondence course for Seaman (NAVEDTRA 14067). Also, as a Sea Cadet you could choose where you wanted to go for Recruit Training in the program. I chose to go to Great Lakes, so fast forwarding to when I went to actual Navy boot camp, it was just a little bit easier for me. It was because it wasn't as much of a shock to the system because it was familiar to me, also we did a lot of training around the base. When I arrived there two short years later, some of the instructors were still there.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Mar 11 at 2021 7:29 PM

2021-03-11T19:29:52-05:00

Not always.

Response by Noah Prosser made May 15 at 2021 12:49 PM

2021-05-15T12:49:54-04:00

im in the VA army cadet corps will that promote me?