The NJROTC program was established by Public Law in 1964 which may be found in Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 102. The program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the nation, and taught by instructors who are retired Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. (“Gray” area reservists and medically retired personnel may also be eligible to instruct in the program; see Instructor Application Process) The NJROTC accredited curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage, the significance of sea power, and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by extra-curricular activities of community service, academic, athletic, drill and orienteering competitions, field meets, flights, visits to naval or other activities, marksmanship sports training, and physical fitness training. Electronic classroom equipment, textbooks, uniforms, educational training aids, travel allowance, and a cost-share of instructors' salaries are provided by the Navy.
The Naval Service Training Command prescribes the courses for naval science for NJROTC units that comprise the 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 (block) schedules, are made at the local school level.
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:
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 techniques and implementation of learned skills for life after high school. The intent is to assist seniors in understanding and planning for a future based on either further education or potential careers in public, private and non-profit sectors. Classroom activities include seminars, reading assignments, classroom presentations, and practical work to support learned principles. 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 in various careers.
COURSE CONTENT: Includes instruction in theoretical and applied aspects of College and Career Readiness, Personal Finance, Leadership and Ethics, Cyber Security, and Space Exploration.
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:
The Department Head of Naval Science at a school hosting an NJROTC program is called the Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI). The SNSI is the senior commissioned officer employed by the school. All other personnel employed by the school in the NJROTC Program are called Naval Science Instructors (NSI). At the school's option, one of the instructors may be a retired or other eligible member of the Marine Corps or Coast Guard who is certified by the Navy to serve in the NJROTC program. Senior Naval Science Instructors (SNSIs) are commissioned officers (W-2 through O-6). Naval Science Instructors (NSIs) are retired or other eligible enlisted personnel (E-6 through E-9). The minimum education requirement for SNSIs is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required of NSIs followed by an Associate’s degree within 5 years of employment as an NSI. Specific instructor qualification requirements will remain the decision of school officials who are the employers of these individuals.
The Naval Service Training Command enforces stringent certification requirements on all personnel applying to the NJROTC program. School officials may not offer employment to an applicant who does not possess a valid NSTC certification.
In order that the maximum coordination possible is achieved between the NJROTC unit and other academic departments, the staff of the Department of Naval Science shall be given full membership in the institution's faculty in appropriate ranks and be accorded the rights and privileges of faculty members. The SNSI is the Naval Science Department Head, and is accorded the same privileges as other host school department heads.
The SNSI shall perform those duties pursuant to current regulations, policies, and procedures as established by NSTC and the host school. They may perform those collateral duties as may be reasonably assigned other department heads/teachers by the principal, providing such duties do not interfere with the administration and operation of the NJROTC program. In this regard, the SNSI, as the department head, is responsible for informing the principal in the event this situation occurs.
If you are a retired member of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, Gray-area Reservist, or medically retired, officer or enlisted and are interested in teaching a NJROTC class, click here for more information.
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CALEXICO HIGH SCHOOL 1030 ENCINAS AVE CALEXICO CA 92231
BRIDGEPORT MILITARY ACADEMY 160 IRANISTAN AVENUE BRIDGEPORT, CT 06604
NAVARRE HIGH SCHOOL 8600 HIGH SCHOOL BOULEVARD NAVARRE, FL 32566
DR. BENJAMIN CARSON HIGH SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE 571 MACK AVENUE DETROIT, MI 48201
WASHINGTON TECH MAGNET SCHOOL 1495 RICE STREET SAINT PAUL, MN 55117
CHAMBERSBURG AREA SR HIGH SCHOOL 511 6TH STREET CHAMBERSBURG, PA 17201-3405
COVENTRY HIGH SCHOOL 40 RESERVOIR ROAD COVENTRY RI 02816
GONZALES HIGH SCHOOL 1801 N SARAH DEWITT DR GONZALES TX 78629
PLAINVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 1501 QUINCY STREET PLAINVIEW, TX 79072
PARKERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL 2101 DUDLEY AVENUE PARKERSBURG, WV 26101-3462
Can't find a nearby school on this list? Go to the top of this page and Click on the "Starting an NJROTC Unit" Tab.
High school officials desiring the opportunity to host a NJROTC unit are invited to submit an application at any time. The first step in the process to host a NJROTC unit is for a school official to complete an application. Host School Applications are available on-line and the link to download the document is provided below.
Print the form first by selecting the Print button located at the bottom of the form. The blank form will assist you in gathering information and submitting your application on-line. Allow enough time to complete the application in a single session since you cannot currently save your data. In the signature block, type your name and title as the submitting school official. The application may also be printed and mailed to:
Applications received are kept on file and will be given every consideration when further expansion of the NJROTC program is planned by the Navy. Official offers to establish a NJROTC unit will be made to the school superintendent via letter containing a contract for establishment of the unit that is signed by both parties for the educational partnership.
For additional information concerning NJROTC expansion status, Navy provided support for new units or host school support requirements, contact (847)688-5454 x223.