In 2018, The State of Nevada approved a state standardized Military Science Career Technical Education program for all JROTC service programs (Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps).  This was the culmination of two years of collaborative work between Nevada DOE, WCSD CTE and representatives from all four JROTC Services.  The establishment of this program provides JROTC Cadets who pass the Military Science State Standard Exam a Career Readiness Diploma Stamp.

The Military Science State Standards consist of a common core of standards found across all four JROTC service programs as well as a set of service specific standards.

In WCSD, regardless of JROTC service, Cadets receive the following high school credits for completing the four-year program: Physical Education, Health, Arts & Humanities and two Honors credits.

Cadets who pass the End of Program exam in Military Science at the end of their 3rd year will receive the CTE Industry diploma stamp in the Government career cluster (this certification is recognized by government and public service organizations and supports career interests in those areas)

Cadets completing 3 or 4 years of JROTC and earning their JROTC Certificate received the following articulated college transcript credit awarded for courses completed in JROTC which are recognized by Truckee Meadows Community College - BUS 198 (3 credits); PEX 174 (2 credits); COM 215 (3 credits); CHS 102 (3 credits)

Cadets passing the Workplace Readiness Exam offered by CTE will receive (2) college credits

The Army JROTC curriculum, which fully or partially addresses a number of national academic standards - to include Common Core State Standards (CCSS) - includes course work on leadership, civics, geography and global awareness, health, and wellness, language arts, life skills, and U.S. history. The curriculum is based on the principles of performance-based, learner-centered education and promotes development of core abilities: capacity for life-long learning, communication, responsibility for actions and choices, good citizenship, respectful treatment of others, and critical thinking techniques.

More important than "what" is learned in JROTC is "how" it is learned. Every classroom is equipped with leading edge technologies to teach, assess, and report student progress. Teachers are trained to utilize a range of technologies and develop social/emotional skills, support academic content through gaming and simulations, and promote the role of social media. Thus, students engage in meaningful, purposeful activities that lead them to demonstrate success through a portfolio of accomplishments.

Every learning experience in the curriculum addresses Core Abilities, Program Outcomes, and Course Competencies; building on their developing skills and abilities, which are critical to success in high school and post-secondary career.

Core Abilities

Core Abilities describe the broad, life-long skills that every Cadet needs for success in future life and career endeavors. The core abilities are a result of the goals and values that drive the JROTC program and are built upon the program’s four years through integrating various lesson competencies and skills throughout the JROTC curriculum. The Core Abilities are:

• Apply critical thinking techniques
• Build your capacity for life-long learning
• Communicate using verbal, non-verbal, visual, and written techniques
• Do your share as a good citizen in your school, community, country, and the world
• Take responsibility for your actions and choices
• Treat self and others with respect

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes describe what JROTC Cadets will know and be able to do upon successful completion of the JROTC program. These outcomes also provide documentation for growth and development of the student and program for re-accreditation purposes, school visitors, parents, and the community. As Cadets complete each LET, their journey toward program outcomes will occur; each program outcome is linked to every LET lesson in the curriculum. Evidence of learning can be witnessed through a Cadet’s Portfolio, which will showcase continued development of program outcomes. The JROTC Program Outcomes are:

• Act with integrity and personal accountability as you lead others to succeed in a diverse and global workforce
• Engage in civic and social concerns in the community, government, and society
• Graduate prepared to succeed in post-secondary options and career pathways
• Make decisions that promote positive social, emotional, and physical health
• Value the role of the military and other service organizations

Course Competencies

Competencies describe discipline-specific measurable and observable skills, knowledge, and attitudes. They are targeted in each lesson of the curriculum. Performance standards (criteria and conditions) provide the specifications for assessing mastery of a competency. Cadets show they have learned competencies by applying them in the completion of assessment tasks that require them to do one or more of the following:

• Make a decision
• Perform a skill
• Perform a service
• Solve a problem
• Create a product

The Naval Service Training Command 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 Naval Service Training Command.

What subjects are included in the curriculum?

The Naval Service Training Command 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:

• CITIZENSHIP -- Instillation of values of good, responsible citizenship.
• NAVAL ORIENTATION -- Basic introduction to the Navy’s customs and traditions.
• NAVAL OPERATIONS/ORGANIZATION -- Familiarization with national naval strategy and daily military operations.
• NAVAL HISTORY -- History of the United States Navy from the colonial period to the present.
• NAVIGATION -- Introduction to piloting and navigation.
• SEAMANSHIP -- Introduction to basic seamanship and ship handling.
• LEADERSHIP -- Ongoing study of leadership, with opportunities to develop leadership abilities.
• NAUTICAL ASTRONOMY -- Study of astronomy and its use in navigation.
• ELECTRONICS -- Introduction to electronics as the basis for communications and weapons systems.
• OCEANOGRAPHY -- Information on the collection of data on the world's ocean systems.
• DRILLS, COMMANDS, AND CEREMONIES -- Close order drill and parade ceremonies.
• PHYSICAL FITNESS -- Activities to promote healthy, active lifestyles.

NJROTC Curriculum Description

NAVAL SCIENCE 1

PURPOSE:  To introduce students to the meaning of citizenship, the elements of leadership, and the value of scholarship in attaining life goals; promote an awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including physical fitness, a proper diet, and controlling stress; drug awareness; provide the principles of health and first aid, geography and survival skills and an overview of Naval ships and aircraft.  These elements are pursued at the fundamental level.

COURSE CONTENT:  Includes introduction to the NJROTC program; introduction to Leadership, Citizenship and the American Government; introduction to Wellness, Fitness, and First Aid to include diet, exercise and drug awareness, introduction to Geography, Orienteering, Survival and Map Reading Skills; Financial Skills and  introduction to the U. S. Navy.

NAVAL SCIENCE 2

PURPOSE:  To build on the general introduction provided in Naval Science 1, to further develop the traits of citizenship and leadership, and to introduce cadets to the technical areas of naval science and the role of the U. S. Navy in maritime history and the vital importance of the world’s oceans to the continued well-being of the United States.

COURSE CONTENT:  Includes ongoing instruction into Leadership; introduction to Maritime History, including the American Revolution, Civil War, the rise of the U. S. to world power status, World Wars 1 and 2, the Cold War Era and the 1990s and Beyond; introduction to Nautical Sciences to include Maritime Geography, Oceanography, Meteorology, Astronomy, and Physical Sciences.

NAVAL SCIENCE 3

PURPOSE:  Broaden the understanding of students in the operative principles of military leadership, the concept and significance of teamwork, the intrinsic value of good order and discipline in the accomplishment of objectives, and the importance of sea power and national security.  Students gain a more in-depth knowledge of Naval ships and aircraft and an introduction to marine navigation and seamanship.

COURSE CONTENT:  Includes instruction in Sea Power and National Security, Naval Operations and Support Functions, Military Law, and International Law and the Sea.  Provides introduction to Ship Construction and Damage Control, Shipboard Organization and Watch Standing, Basic Seamanship, Marine Navigation, and Naval Weapons and Aircraft.  Ongoing instruction in leadership, citizenship and discipline.

NAVAL SCIENCE 4

PURPOSE:  Focused primarily on practical leadership techniques and implementation.  The intent is to assist seniors in understanding leadership and improving their leadership skills by putting them in positions of leadership, under supervision, then helping them analyze the reasons for their varying degrees of success throughout the year.  Classroom activities include seminars, reading assignments, classroom presentations, and practical work with younger cadets.  Seniors are mentored/guided in their preparation for life after high school to include college preparation, scholarship applications, and the variety of choices that are available to them.

COURSE CONTENT:  Includes instruction in theoretical and applied aspects of leadership, training, and evaluation of performance.  Students will become aware of the techniques used to create motivation, develop goals and activities for a work group, and the proper ways to set a leadership example.  Students are provided access to ACT/SAT prep courses, guidance in selecting a college and pursuing available scholarships, and mentoring in establishing long range life goals.

Sounds Pretty Serious--Is there any fun stuff?

NJROTC cadets participate in a number of outside, or extra-curricular, activities throughout the school year and during the summer months. These opportunities are designed to stimulate learning by hands-on experience and to reinforce classroom instruction. Some of these activities include:

• School and local activities such as parades, community service projects and events, academic, athletic, drill, marksmanship and orienteering events and competitions.
• Leadership training of about 1 week during the spring and summer months to include Basic Leadership Training, Leadership Academy, and other Orientation Training visits.
• Orientation visits (3 to 5 days) to various naval and military bases.
• Cruises aboard U.S. naval vessels (1 day to 2 weeks) normally conducted during the summer months.

One of the keys in the success of the Air Force Junior ROTC program lies in its academic foundation. The curriculum is divided into three components — Aerospace Science, Leadership Education, and Health and Wellness. Each Air Force Junior ROTC unit balances all three areas to meet the particular needs and abilities of their cadets.

Cadets who complete three years of the Air Force Junior ROTC academic program may earn a certificate of completion and be eligible to enter the military at a higher pay grade compared to most other enlistees. Air Force Junior ROTC cadets are better prepared to enter and work in a highly technical world in the civilian industry, or military service.

Initially on 29 March 2005--accreditation was awarded by the Southern Association of Colleges, and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement by the AdvancEd Commission.  On January 28, 2016 accreditation was awarded with the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), the regional accrediting agencies that span the AdvancED global network.

AEROSPACE SCIENCE

Aerospace Science studies include aviation history, science of flight, global and cultural studies, exploration of space, management of the cadet corps, aviation honors ground school, and survival.

In the study of aviation history, cadets learn about the development of flight and the men and women who contributed throughout the centuries. The science of flight course allows cadets to become acquainted with the aerospace environment, weather, the human requirements of flight and the principles of navigation. Space exploration equips cadets with the basic concepts of space and cyber.

Both the science of flight and exploration of space courses complement material taught in high school math, physics and other science-related courses.  These courses support the STEM initiative utilizing 21^st Century learning concepts.

Through global and cultural studies, cadets learn to see their world through many different perspectives; introducing them to world affairs, regional studies and cultural awareness.

LEADERSHIP EDUCATION

Leadership Education includes studies of Air Force tradition, wellness, and foundations of citizenship; communication, awareness and leadership; life skills and career opportunities; and principles of management.

The leadership education courses offer cadets many opportunities to shape their lives. They’re introduced to the Air Force organizational structure, uniform wear, military customs and courtesies, flag etiquette, civics and drill.

Cadets also learn to think critically, develop effective communications and leadership skills, build personal awareness, learn to build effective teams, and develop behaviors for becoming a credible and competent leader.

They learn about the importance of charting a career path, how to create a personal budget and financial plan, how to write a resume, how to interview for a job and how to apply for college.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The objective of the Health and Wellness Program is to motivate cadets to lead healthy, active lifestyles beyond program requirements and into their adult lives. Physical fitness is designed to get the cadet up and moving. The program allows the cadet to push their personal limits, compete and earn awards.