Spring is in the air! The area schools are finishing up their school year.

A part of this is the recognition of ROTC and JROTC Cadets who participate in these programs sponsored by the US Department of Defense.

Locally, the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (CCSAR) participate in the year end awards events.  The CCSAR recognize high performing students and adult leaders awarding Certificates of Accomplishment, medals and cash awards.

We will report out separately regarding specific high school locations.  This article addresses the JROTC program as a whole and outlines the role the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution plays in these celebrations.

The CCSAR ROTC/JROTC Recognition Program Committee Chairman is Gary Duffield.

CCSAR members who spread out to cover the local high school award programs include:  Mike Gunn, Jack Bredenfoerder, Zac Haines, Bob Bowers, Gary Duffield and Tim Madden.

Leadership – The ROTC programs in the area high schools are led by a dedicated group of leaders who are charged with providing training, mentorship and guidance for these young adults. These adult leaders do a phenomenal job leading these students.  Seeing these students in action, noting the pride and companionship is truly heart warming.

What is JROTC?

• JROTC coursework includes military history and customs and students are required to wear a uniform that mirrors what military personnel wear in their respective branches.
• Leadership, character and community service are the core tenets of high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs, or JROTC. Those values are at the heart of the JROTC Cadet Creed that emphasizes working to better the cadet’s family, school and country.
• The goal of JROTC programs, experts say, is good citizenship. Students get a sense of home, a greater sense of family, of unity, the value of citizenship by doing the right thing daily.
• The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard each operate their own versions of the program for high school students. According to a Congressional Research Service report, 552,990 students were active in 3,432 units across the U.S. and Department of Defense schools overseas in fiscal year 2020.

For more information on the JROTC program, please refer to the link below:

Defense Department Link to JROTC Program Overview

Special Recognition to High Achieving JROTC Units

The CCSAR sponsors a special award for high achieving JROTC units.  Within those select units, the “Enhanced Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps” contest is limited to members of JROTC programs that must be in the top 10% of their JROTC Unit as verified by the Senior Military Instructor and must be in the top 25% of their high school class. The Cadet must complete an original essay, of 500 to 700 words on “How JROTC has prepared me to be a better citizen of the United States of America”. The Cadet must be recommended by the high school principal and Senior Military Instructor.

For more information on the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution Youth Awards and Youth Education programs and activities (including JROTC), please click on the link below: