Instructor Application Process
Please Note:
Certification boards will be held on the first Wednesday of every month. Completed packages, including the Area Manager interview form and submitted background check paperwork, must be received no later than 2 weeks prior to the board.
NJROTC/NNDCC Instructor Certification Application
Application can be emailed to: (click to email application)
The process for becoming an NJROTC instructor begins with applying for certification. After you are certified, you can then apply for one of the many vacancies in high schools around the country.
Who are the NJROTC Instructors?
NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) instructors are retired Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard personnel employed by schools that host NJROTC units. These instructors are certified by the Naval Service Training Command (NSTC).
Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI): This role is filled by a retired commissioned officer or warrant officer with a bachelor’s degree. The SNSI is the head of the Naval Science Department at the school.
Naval Science Instructor (NSI): This role is usually held by retired enlisted personnel, warrant officers, or limited duty officers (LDOs) who do not have a bachelor’s degree. They may be required to obtain an associate’s degree within five years of employment.
To become an NJROTC instructor, candidates must:
- Have at least 8 years of active duty in the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
- Separated from services within the past 5 years, or have 8 years of creditable services and an active member of Navy Reserves.
- Hold the necessary educational qualifications:
- SNSI: Bachelor’s degree.
- NSI: Associate’s degree or plan to earn one within five years.
Certification Process:
Instructors are employed by the host schools. To qualify for partial reimbursement, the school must hire a certified instructor (refer to 'Salary and Benefits' below). To seek employment as an instructor, you should contact the school's hiring official directly. The process of certification and job searching can occur concurrently.
Application: Candidates must complete the NJROTC Instructor Certification Application and submit it along with other required documents, such as a current photo, height/weight verification, and service record.
Contact an Area Manager: Candidates are encouraged to reach out to the NJROTC Area Manager responsible for their desired employment region. The Area Manager can provide you contact information for schools in the Area that may have future vacancies not currently listed. You can find a list of Area Managers and their contact information here.
Area Manager Interview / Interview Form: This is not a formal hiring interview. The Area Manager will discuss the role of an instructor and identify schools that may have upcoming availability. Afterward, the Area Manager will complete the interview form and submit it to the Instructor Admin. Applicants actively seeking employment, have a confirmed separation date, and an anticipated state of employment will be referred to security FDR background check processing. For those expressing interest but not actively seeking immediate employment, the form will be forwarded with a recommendation to keep their application on file for six months, or longer if the applicant remains on active duty.
Background Investigation: Applicants actively seeking employment will be contacted by the Naval Service Training Command Security Department to complete an SF-85 form and receive fingerprinting instructions for the Tier 1 Child Care National Agency Check and Inquiries (CNACI) background investigation. This federally mandated background check is required in addition to any other checks conducted by the school.
Board Review: A certification board will review applications and service records after initial screening of background check. Certification lasts for five years.
Responsibilities of NJROTC Instructors:
- Teach the Naval Science curriculum.
- Instruct cadets in military drill.
- Mentor and counsel students.
- Manage government-furnished equipment like uniforms and training aids.
- Plan extracurricular activities, such as drill teams and field trips.
- Maintain financial accounts related to the NJROTC program.
- Keep up with Navy developments and complete required training.
Uniform and Conduct Standards:
NJROTC instructors must maintain military standards in appearance and decorum. They are required to wear uniforms during instruction and other appropriate times, and they must meet Navy height and weight standards.
Training and Certification Maintenance:
Once hired, instructors must attend a Navy-sponsored training seminar and complete further training for advanced certification within two years of employment.
Salary and Benefits:
Instructors receive a salary that bridges the gap between their military retired pay and what they would earn on active duty. Schools cover at least this minimum salary, and the Navy reimburses half. Instructors typically receive the same benefits as other teachers in the school district.
In summary, NJROTC instructors are retired military personnel who teach and manage NJROTC programs in schools, upholding military standards and guiding students in military and leadership education.
Recent legal changes have introduced a new pay scale for instructors, determined by position and educational level. Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) integrated this pay scale into the financial system, aligning with the 2025-2026 school year. Instructors employed before this date will not experience a reduction in pay under the JROTC Standardized Pay Scale (JSIPS), as long as they remain employed at the same school.
The JSIPS pay structure is modeled after the GS pay scale, including locality adjustments, although instructors will not be considered government employees. Schools may still offer contracts of 10, 11, or 12 months.
Required Forms To Apply: