The JROTC Leadership Program
The JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) program prepares our students for leadership roles, while fostering awareness of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens.
JROTC programs have a well-defined organizational structure, geared to foster leadership and character development. They are value-based, and expectations are clearly defined. From day one, Cadets are expected to participate in team-building activities, achieve academically, follow drill, wear uniforms properly, and ascribe to core values.
The highly respected JROTC program at the Academy gives our students the opportunity to live and grow in a setting where they regularly learn and practice leadership, guided by experienced leaders.
Cadets learn life skills like teamwork, organization, problem solving, and communication that allow them to excel both in the Corps of Cadets, as well as become tomorrow’s leaders in various fields including engineering, medicine, law, and business.
These lessons extend beyond JROTC classroom time and into the evenings. After classes and sports are over for the day, Cadets have time with Trainers, Advisor, Coaches (TAC Officers) who reinforce lessons of leadership and good character.
The Army and Navy Academy is currently an Honor Unit with Distinction. This process requires cadets to adhere to key protocols, go through various inspections, and meet the highest level of criteria as established by JROTC scoring systems.
What is the difference between JROTC and ROTC?
One of the key differences between JROTC and ROTC is that one is intended for middle/high school students and the other is a college program. Both programs include leadership training, character development, life skills, and citizenship; however, college students attending an ROTC university are specifically being trained to become future military officers.
JROTC – “As congressionally mandated by Title 10 United States Code, Section 2031, each military service must have a JROTC program to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. JROTC’s mission, “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens”, is the guide post for the program’s success. – U.S Army JROTC
ROTC – “The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. Military. In exchange for a paid college education and a guaranteed post-college career, participants, or Cadets, commit to serve in the military after graduation. Each Service branch has its own take on ROTC.”- Today’s Military
Is Army and Navy Academy's JROTC program located in San Diego?
The JROTC Program is located on the ANA campus in Carlsbad (San Diego County) on a 16.5 acre beachfront boarding/day school campus. Cadets take classes as part of their academic schedules, participate in drills, formations, military reviews (parades), Officer Candidate Course training (off site at Camp Pendleton), and much more.
At what grade can you join JROTC?
JROTC is designated for some middle schools and all high school students can participate. At ANA, the program focuses on grades 8-12, but younger students at Army and Navy Academy begin preparing in grade 7. They have a chance to interact with top leaders, do daily formations, and begin learning about leadership early on in preparation.
What is the JROTC Curriculum?
Classroom JROTC lessons at Army and Navy Academy focus on topics such as: leadership, health and wellness, first-aid, etiquette, fitness, history, government, geography, verbal and written communications, emotional intelligence, responsibility, and maturity.
A variety of technologies are employed both inside and outside the classroom to motivate and enhance learning. In addition, at Army & Navy Academy, electives in computer science and aviation are quite popular with the Cadets and complement lessons learned in JROTC classes.
The JROTC curriculum is accredited and it is integrated at the Army and Navy Academy into the list of credit courses. ANA follows University of California’s rigorous academic requirements, so students have higher education options upon graduating. Students apply to traditional colleges and universities, ROTC universities, and to top service academies. A small percentage of students also choose to enlist, take a gap year, or attend a trade school after graduating.
What are the JROTC program requirements at Army and Navy Academy?
At the Army and Navy Academy, all Cadets participate in the JROTC program. Even if a student does not plan to attend an ROTC university, top service academy, or enlist, the benefits of JROTC for all students involve strong preparation for college and life.
In fact, most students at Army and Navy Academy attend traditional colleges and universities; however, they gain from the many benefits JROTC offers. Some of the benefits that ANA alumni have cited include:
- Learn how to lead and follow
- Become a strong team player
- Gain leadership and management skills
- Develop confidence and self-discipline
- Acquire financial and real-world skills
- Project and time management
- Executive function skills in decision making and judgement
- Develop strong communication skills
- Give back to your community and serve others
- Enhance college applications and scholarships
At what age can you join JROTC?
Cadets can be as young as 11 and up to 18 years old. Refer to the levels to find out more.
What is the LET level for JROTC?
JROTC Cadets begin at the LET I level: Leadership, Education, and Training and then move through the levels until they progress to the LET IV level.
Some adjustments have been made to the JROTC levels, so the grades associated with each level are now reflected below:
Level 1 = 7th & 8th grade
Level 2 = 9th grade
Level 3 = 10th grade
Level 4 = 11th grade
Level 5 = 12th grade
Will it help to attend ANA if I want to attend West Point, Annapolis, or another top service academy?
Attending the Army and Navy Academy has had a huge impact on Cadets whose goal is to matriculate to a top service academy. We assist with college planning services, applications, letters of recommendation, and much more. Our retired military officers and stellar faculty/staff on campus also help boys “learn the ropes” before they head off to one of the top service academies.
The academies are as follows:
- US Military Academy — West Point, New York
- US Naval Academy — Annapolis, Maryland
- US Air Force Academy —Colorado Springs, Colorado
- US Merchant Marine Academy — Kings Point, New York
- US Coast Guard Academy — New London, Connecticut
~ Parent
Army and Navy Academy awards credit toward graduation for each year of the JROTC program, consisting of four levels of Leadership Education Training (LET) instruction — each LET level must total 180 academic hours.* The main goal of all JROTC learning experiences is the Cadet’s success.
The JROTC curriculum — based on the principles of performance-based, learner-centered education — is linked to the McREL (instructional leadership resource) national standards. Every lesson and assessment actively engages students in higher-order thinking and skill performance.
The program of instruction provides the flexibility to link the standards for elective credit and additional credit in subject areas such as physical education, health, wellness, life management skills, freshman orientation, government, civics, practical and performing arts, careers and so forth.
| Basic Courses | LET 1 | LET 2 | LET 3 | LET 4 | TOTAL |
| Citizenship in Action | 18 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 26 |
| Leadership Theory & Application | 18 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 40 |
| Foundations For Success | 30 | 0 | 36 | 16 | 82 |
| Wellness, Fitness & First Aid | 0 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Geography, Map Skills & Environmental Awareness |
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Citizenship in American History & Government | 0 | 36 | 16 | 0 | 52 |
| Physical Activity/Leader Assessment | |||||
| Leadership Application | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 80 |
| Cadet Challenge | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 |
| Activities | |||||
| Service Learning/Community Service | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 |
| Administration/Testing/Inspections | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 96 |
| Additional Teaching & Leadership Hours | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 34 |
| State & JROTC Elective | |||||
| Required Hours | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 200 |
| Total Program Hours | 180 | 180 | 180 | 180 | 720 |
* Each LET level must total 180 academic hours OR the min. number of hours required to meet school requirements for 1.0 credit in courses such as math or English.
Why Army and Navy Academy?
Army and Navy Academy believes in boys, and we are fully committed to how they learn, grow and thrive.