JROTC Jr Army Instructor
Description
Job Title: JROTC Instructor Exemption Status/Test: Exempt/Professional
Reports to: Principal Date Revised:
Dept./School: Assigned Campus
Primary Purpose:
Provide students with appropriate learning activities and experiences in the core academic subject area assigned to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Enable students to develop competencies and skills to function successfully in society.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or high school diploma/GED
Valid Texas teaching certificate with required endorsements or related training and work experience for certification waivers under the District of Innovation Plan (DOI)
Eligible to obtain JROTC certification from the US military service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines)
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of core academic subject assigned
Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Experience:
Retired from the US military
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Instructional Strategies
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Develop and implement lesson plans that fulfill the requirements of the district’s and JROTC curriculum programs and show written evidence of preparation as required. Prepare lessons that reflect accommodations for differences in individual student differences.
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Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, equipment, and technology that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned and present subject matter according to guidelines established by Texas Education Agency, board policies, and administrative regulations.
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Conduct assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan instructional activities.
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Work with other members of staff to determine instructional goals, objectives, and methods according to district requirements.
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Present subject matter according to guidelines established by Texas Education Agency, board policies, and administrative regulations.
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Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.
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Work with other members of staff to determine instructional goals, objectives, and methods according to district requirements.
Student Growth and Development
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Conduct ongoing assessment of student achievement through formal and informal testing.
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Assume responsibility for extracurricular activities as assigned. Sponsor outside activities approved by the campus principal.
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Be a positive role model for students and support mission of school district.
Classroom Management and Organization
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Create classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
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Manage student behavior in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.
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Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
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Assist in selecting books, equipment, and other instructional materials.
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Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.
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Ensure JROTC facilities are adequate and meet military requirements.
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Develop and maintain a merit/demerit system to reinforce positive behavior for JROTC.
Communication
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Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with parents, students, colleagues, and community members.
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Actively recruit students to enroll in JROTC programs and maintain or exceed cadet enrollment requirements.
Professional Growth and Development
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Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
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Maintain military proficiency on topics taught in the JROTC curriculum.
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Comply with state, and district regulations and policies for classroom teachers.
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Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
Other
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Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer, phone systems, video/instructional equipment, air rifles, and peripherals
Posture: Prolonged siting and standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Frequent walking; repetitive computer work with frequent use of hands and wrists
Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may lift and move textbooks and classroom equipment
Environment: Work inside from school, home, or location other than school building, may work outside; regular exposure to noise and computer monitors. Regular community and occasional statewide travel
Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; work prolonged or irregular hours
Roles of JROTC Instructors
a. JROTC instructors are continuing a path of selfless service to our nation and its
youth. Most find it to be one of the most challenging of all endeavors, but also one of the
most satisfying as they observe, first-hand, the impact they have on Cadets in
motivating and guiding them to achieve their fullest potential in school and in life. This
section provides insights into many roles that you need to know, which are expected of
an instructor to be successful.
(1) You Are A Professional: As a military retiree, with many years of demonstrated
leadership, selfless service, integrity, and success, you are a proven professional. Your
school and community will value and expect this of you as a JROTC instructor.
Embedded in your professionalism is your ability to follow and enforce a Code of Ethics
and Standards of Conduct, which students, parents, and school administrators will rely
upon every day. Membership in relevant professional organizations is one of the things
that separate a profession from a conventional job. As a teacher, it is important to
support local, state, and national educational organizations. Many professional
organizations offer continuing education, seminars, and lectures along with other
opportunities for learning.
(2) You Are A Civilian Teacher: Although you are no longer an Army employee,
you will find the civilian teaching profession to be similar in many ways to your military
service. You will be required to also follow and enforce a School District Teacher Code
of Ethics and/or Conduct, so make sure you read it and understand it. You will also
have “fiduciary” responsibility of your Cadets, just like you had with your Soldiers. This
means you are “entrusted” by their parents and the state with their proper education,
best interests, welfare, and safety, which are legal responsibilities with severe liability
when violated. You will also be a teacher 24/7/365, just as you were a Soldier in military
service. Be aware that you will always be under observation, not only during school
hours, but after school as well, even while dining at restaurants, attending sports
events, etc. People in the community will know you, although you may not know them.
NOTE: Although you are a civilian teacher, employed and paid by the school district,
your JROTC Certification gives you a unique status. Read below.
(3) You Are A Certified JROTC Instructor: With your JROTC Certification IAW AR
145-2, you officially become designated as a “member of the Armed Forces not on
active duty,” which provides you with many privileges and authorities, as well as
obligations. You are now allowed to wear the US Army uniform 24/7, when as a retiree
you were limited to only certain ceremonies and events. You are also now authorized to
66 USACC Reg 145-2 • 12 August 2022 teach the JROTC curriculum, and utilize US Government
information and logistical systems (e.g. possess a CAC and GPC) to support your JROTC program
and its activities. Your JROTC Certification also protects you from being misused to perform non-JROTC
related duties, like teaching other subjects. Note: It does not exempt you from performing common duties
all teachers share in, like lunchroom duty or hall monitor, etc. Your JROTC certification also commits you to
certain obligations, such as following Cadet Command regulations, as well as, your School District’s policies
and rules, and keeping your brigade chain of command informed. Very importantly, you are also obligated to
abide by all military rank, protocols, customs, and traditions, and accord other JROTC instructors with the military
courtesies commensurate with their rank.
(4) You Are A Representative Of The US Army: With your JROTC Certification,
and wearing the uniform, you represent the US Army to all students, faculty, and to the
community. Most of the general public has limited knowledge or contact with the US
Army, so your actions will have a lasting impact on how the US Army and other military
services are viewed and respected. Keep this in mind at all times.
(5) You Are A Role Model: As a JROTC instructor and teacher, you will continue to
be a role model, and not only to your Cadets, but also to other teachers, school
administrators, and students outside the JROTC program. You will find that your vast
experiences in the real world, and your proven abilities to plan, lead, and solve
problems will be highly sought after. You will also be a mentor and a coach to your
Cadets, and in far too many cases, be looked upon by some as a father figure or mother
figure, who have none in their homes.
(6) You Will Take An Active Role On The Faculty: Many teachers and
administrators in your school will not know or understand what you do as a JROTC
instructor. Because you are in military uniform, they will assume you are just doing
“military things,” and that you are not a “real” teacher instructing a nationally accredited
curriculum. You must actively pursue correcting this misperception. Become an integral
part of your school’s faculty, and join key committees like those involving school longrange
planning or community outreach, etc. Volunteer to demonstrate to the faculty your JROTC
curriculum during a faculty professional development session, which occur
periodically throughout the school year. Once other teachers view the quality of the
JROTC curriculum, with its detailed lesson plans and integrated use of electronic media,
they will be astonished, and your credibility as a “real teacher” will be established.
Parents often do not understand JROTC either, so volunteer to speak at a PTA Meeting
and/or Student Orientation Night. Also, get to know the members of your School Board,
where key decisions are made. Most members will not know what JROTC does or that
their district even has a JROTC program. An easy way to start this relationship is to
offer your Cadet Color Guard or a Cadet to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the
beginning of most School Board Meetings. The Board will be appreciative, and its
members will start to bond with the JROTC program, and become interested in its
activities, community support, and value.
USACC Reg 145-2 • 12 August 2022 67
(7) You Will Be A Coach Of A JROTC Co-Curricular Activity Team(s): An essential
element of the JROTC curriculum are its co-curricular activities that help to build Cadet
teamwork, confidence, and leadership. Every JROTC program must have a Color
Guard, a JROTC Leadership and Academics Bowl (JLAB) Team, plus at least one other
co-curricular activity, such as a Drill Team, Raider Team, Air-Rifle Team, Robotics
Team, Archery Team, Cybersecurity Team, or Cadet Challenge Team. Most JROTC
programs do all, and compete in local, area, and state level competitions. Every
instructor is involved in coaching these teams. In fact, coaching and assisting JROTC
teams are your after school priority, and not the school’s sports teams, which a Principal
may ask you to support because of your athletic talent or skills. Be aware that you are
not authorized to coach or assist the school’s sports teams or any non-JROTC related
teams, without specific written approval from your brigade, which is rare.
(8) You Will Take An Active Role In The Community: Your involvement in the
community is absolutely essential to supporting and accomplishing the JROTC mission
“To motivate young people to be better citizens.” In fact, the JROTC program
incorporates community service and service learning into its curriculum at every level,
which is evaluated during accreditation evaluations (JPAs). Reach out to local civic patriotic
and citizenship building organizations and clubs, such as the American Legion,
Veterans of Foreign War, Kiwanis Club, Habitat for Humanity, Food Banks, etc. and get
involved with their activities. Many are also looking for ways to support school programs
and students, like JROTC, with funds and/or awards.
(9) You Should Maintain A Strong Affiliation/Liaison Role With A Senior Army
ROTC Program (SROTC): It is important that you have a strong relationship with a
college/university Army SROTC program. Normally, your brigade will have already
affiliated your JROTC program with a specific SROTC program, but if not, reach out and
establish one. Although JROTC is not an Army recruiting tool, the synergy, mutual
support, and resources each program can provide each other helps both better
accomplish their mission. Educating JROTC Cadets on the many career opportunities
and pathways in life is an important aspect of JROTC, and this should also include
military service and officer-ship. Get to know the SROTC Professor of Military Science
(PMS), and invite their cadre to visit your high school to present information on
scholarship opportunities (national and campus based level). Intern, arrange for the
SROTC program to set-up a campus visit for your JROTC Cadets each year. Also,
coordinate to send selected JROTC Cadets to attend their annual military ball, and
invite the SROTC to send Cadets to your military ball, as well. When requested, most
SROTC programs will send their college Cadets as mentors, and as graders at your
local Raider or Drill Meets, so take advantage of this. The closeness of their ages with
your JROTC Cadets makes a lasting and inspiring impression.
(10) You Should Maintain A Strong and Cordial Relationship With The Local
Military Recruiters: Serve as the school-district liaison (school representative) to
coordinate campus access for military recruiters, career days, ASVAB testing, and
development of local mentoring programs. In-turn, your local military recruiters can also
be a source of support when conducting JROTC activities and community support.