Some NJROTC Facts

• NJROTC is not a military recruiting program, nor is it a “boot camp.”  The program was established by Congress to develop citizenship, and to instill a sense of service, personal responsibility and accomplishment in high school students.  There is no obligation whatsoever to the Navy.
• There are 639 units in high schools nationwide.  Annapolis High has the only NJROTC unit in Anne Arundel County and draws its enrollment from 7 different county high schools.
• Number of students in NJROTC nationwide, school year 2009-2010 = 80,000. Enrollment at Annapolis High school year 2010-11 = 116, including some 56 commuter students from Arundel, Broadneck, Chesapeake, Severna Park, South River, and Southern High schools.
• Since establishment in 1993, many Annapolis NJROTC graduates have gone on to service academies (23 to USNA, 2 to USMA, 3 to USAFA) and over 40 have received ROTC scholarships. 

What are the benefits of NJROTC?

• NJROTC encourages initiative and individuality to develop natural gifts, teaches self-control, and develops personal character, responsibility and qualities of integrity, loyalty, and dedication.
• NJROTC cadets are better behaved, have higher attendance, have higher self-esteem, develop positive life skills, and graduate at a higher rate.
• The values, principles, and self-discipline taught in NJROTC promote positive, productive behaviors and provide a support structure that is critical in helping cadets make life choices.
• The program enhances the image of the military in the eyes of the community by providing a chance for success to the nation’s youth.
• Cadets who successfully complete 3 years of NJROTC are entitled to advanced promotion to pay grade E-3 upon initial enlistment in an active or reserve component of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, and pay grade E-2 in the Marine Corps.
• In addition to enhancing a students competitiveness for a regular NROTC scholarship, NJROTC has established an Alternative Scholarship Reservation (ASR) Program in which 110 slots for NROTC scholarships are reserved exclusively for NJROTC cadets.
• NJROTC offers a free on-line SAT/ACT Prep Course to all cadets.
• NJROTC offers summer STEM seminars at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (200 slots) and the University of San Diego (160 slots.)  Annapolis cadets have attended both locations for a number of years.  Additionally, future STEM programs are envisioned for USNA, University of MD, Purdue, Boston University, and other locations.
• The Senior Naval Science Instructor is authorized to nominate three eligible cadets each year to compete for U.S. Naval Academy appointments.
• Principals of hosts schools that are designated as Distinguished Units with Academic Honors may nominate three eligible NJROTC cadets as candidates for appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, three for the U.S. Military Academy, and three for the U.S. Air Force Academy, in addition to the three nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy above, for a total of 12 nominations to service academies.  Annapolis NJROTC has been designated a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors for the past eleven consecutive years and for school year 2007-2008 was named the top unit in the nation by the U.S. Navy League.

Quotes from community leaders
"Parents and students have indicated that a marked improvement in student self-discipline, motivation, and self-reliance is apparent after a short time in the program."
"NJROTC teachers provide valuable counseling to their students who may be experiencing difficulty in other subjects or in other ways at school. They are real pupil advocates and advocates for their program... The NJROTC program is a definite asset to the total school and community."
"NJROTC cadets can always be relied upon to help out around campus and in the community when extra hands are needed. Their community service activities have brought positive recognition to our school and school district."
"In some instances over the years, students have stated that the only reason they have not dropped out of school is the NJROTC program and the feeling of "family" and belonging they have felt from the instructors and students."
"The NJROTC program allows the young person to learn morals and concepts so lacking in not just our society today, but in many homes. They learn self-discipline, helping others, a respect not just for country but for themselves, leadership, and how to make decisions."
"Parents, teachers and administrators give the NJROTC cadets high praise for the many ways their involvement is seen at school. Cadets develop a sense of responsibility from the program and from the various types of community involvement in which they participate, such as color guard at various school assemblies here and at other schools, drill performances in parades and other school and civic functions, as well as many other school activities."
"Often students substitute NJROTC instructors for the fathers they either have never had or do not now have at home. Students feel comfortable sharing their personal problems with the NJROTC instructors and do not hesitate to approach the instructors with their problems."

Quotes from recent first year Annapolis cadets
“I would have never guessed a high school class would teach me so much…”
“….I have a better understanding of the world around me….”
“…it has kept me out of trouble and it’s essentially like a separate home.”
“….I was told it was like a family and it really is.”
“It certainly is not like any other class I have ever taken…it’s a great class and fun program.”