Four area high schools conduct Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs as an elective. The JROTC course offers the high schools’ students instruction in citizenship, character, leadership and community service. The curriculum emphasizes health, physical education, ethics and financial responsibility. The emphasis of the program’s instruction is to motivate the students (Cadets) to better their families, schools and communities.
Students who participate in JROTC are not required to join the military after high school, and the program is not a military preparation class. Only about 20% of all JROTC participants go on to join the military. The goal of all JROTC programs is to produce good citizens.
JROTC instruction is provided by retired members of the armed services. The instructors undergo extensive background checks and classroom management training. The JROTC instructors are full-time school employees whose salaries and other program costs are provided by the Department of Defense.
Course content includes branch-specific military history and customs. Cadets will wear a uniform that corresponds to the uniforms worn by military personnel in their respective branch. The Cadet will typically wear his/her uniform once a week and at JROTC sponsored events (and be graded on their appearance). In addition to classroom work, Cadets will take part in physical fitness training and drill (marching) instruction.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 553, supports the Caprock High School Marine Corps, Hereford High School Marine Corps, Palo Duro High School Air Force and Tascosa High School Navy JROTC programs through the sponsorship of an annual leadership award. The MOPH Leadership Award is presented to one Cadet from each of the four programs who have exhibited outstanding leadership ability during the just completed school year. The award recipient is selected by the High School’s JROTC cadre. The cadet receives a medal, certificate and a scholarship check, typically presented by a member of Chapter 553 during the JROTC program’s end of school award ceremony.