Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)

“HONOR, COURAGE, COMMITMENT”

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

– John Quincy Adams.

History

The Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Program at Miami Beach Senior High School, Miami Beach, Florida was established on July 1st,  2000.  This makes this program one of the eldest NJROTC program in South Florida.  The program is currently assigned to Area 7 and it is a 4-year course of instruction.  There are approximately 150 Cadets in the program annually.

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Units for all military services were authorized by the Reserve Officers Vitalization Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-647 of 13 October 1964 – Title 10, U.S.C. Chapter 102).  Department of Defense Directive 1205.13 of June 16, 1982, requires the military service secretaries to “Sponsor and conduct a JROTC Program”.  Each of the services currently supports active programs in schools across the country and some overseas locations.

This is a very low-cost elective for the student (Cadet).  A Cadet has no military or financial obligation (other than incidental expenses such as haircuts, uniform cleaning, and some field trip expenses) as a result of participating in the NJROTC course in high school.

The NJROTC Program goals are to instill in high school students the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment.  These goals are met by teaching specific objectives based on the core values of the United States Navy:  HONOR, COURAGE, and COMMITMENT.  The full list of objectives can be found in the following instructions:  OPNAVINST 1533.5 (S), and CNETINST 1533.9 (S).   

The NJROTC Program is a cooperative effort on the part of the United States Navy, the Miami Dade County School Board, and the Miami Beach Senior High School to provide students with this opportunity for total development.   It has been an important and thriving components to the Miami Beach community.  We strive to make our cadets the best citizen they can be.   

NJROTC CADET CREED

I am a Navy Junior ROTC Cadet.

I strive to promote patriotism and become an informed and responsible citizen.

I respect those in positions of authority.

I support those who have defended freedom and democracy around the world.

I proudly embrace the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

I am committed to excellence and fair treatment of all.

Parent Welcome Letter

From: Naval Science Department
To: Parents and Guardians

Subj: NAVY JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS (NJROTC) SCHOOL YEAR 

1. I want to welcome YOU to the Miami Beach Senior High School NJROTC Program. We are looking forward to having your child as a cadet during this school year.

2. NJROTC is a leadership and citizenship development program with national accreditation, it is NOT a military recruiting tool. We do not get rewarded for cadets who join the military. NJROTC develops leadership skills and uses physical fitness, discipline, customs and courtesies, and operational history to help our cadets achieve personal success throughout and after High School.

3. Your student will get as much out of the program as they are willing to put in. In addition to our classroom’s instruction, we have drill team, color guard, drone team, academic team, Cyberpatriot team, and various other teams. These teams meet before, during, and after school to prepare the cadets for competitions in our local area. In addition to our many teams, we have volunteer opportunities, day trips to local colleges, and visits to local military bases and ship visits.

4. Cadets will be issuing a uniform. It is his/her responsibility to maintain the uniform cleanliness, wear it properly, and follow grooming standards. Cadets are REQUIRED to wear the uniform at least 1 day each week, on the designated uniform day each week, either a Wednesday or a Thursday. Uniform is to be worn throughout the day during all the classes for that day. Failure to wear uniform all day and maintain grooming standards will greatly impact cadet’s overall grade, be placed on probation, and ultimately removed from the program.

5. We conduct physical training (PT) and drill at least 1 day each  week. Cadets will receive a PT uniform that is to be worn only during PT sessions and not during classes. Cadets need to wear appropriate PT footwear on these days.

6. The NJROTC Standard Release Form and NJROTC Health Risk Questionnaire are to be completed and return ASAP.  Cadets will receive a grade for this task.  

Please feel free to contact us via emails if you have any questions.  LCDR Louidor can be reached at dlouidor@dadeschools.net and HM1 Ronal Hunter can be reached at rdhunter@dadeschools.net.

Academics

Academic enrichment and achievement is the fundamental cornerstone of our NJROTC program.   We closely monitor our Cadets’ academic standing in all of their classes, providing counseling and tutoring when appropriate to help encourage them to do their very best at all times.  We believe that academic success in High School begins with self-discipline and self-control, and so these skills are demonstrated, taught and rewarded from the very first day of each school year.  

In order to participate in any of our Unit Teams, or in any of our after-school activities and social events, we expect that our Cadets will have a 2.0 GPA and be passing all courses.  Additionally they must have a “C” or higher grade in the NJROTC course.   

We believe in the use of technology both in and out of the classroom, and we lead the way in our school in the introduction and innovative use of cutting-edge academic technology.  We utilize the Turning Point Technology hardware and software to deliver instructions.

The NJROTC curriculum emphasizes:

• Citizenship and leadership development
• Maritime heritage
• Significance of Sea Power

Naval Topics:

• Fundamentals of naval operations
• Seamanship
• Navigation and meteorology
• Leadership

Augmented classroom instruction:

• Community service activities
• Cultural Studies
• Drill competition
• Physical Training
• Visit to naval activities
• Other military training

If you have interest in joining the Drone Program of Cyber Patriot Team, talk to HM1 Hunter in classroom 553.

Uniform Q & A

How do I get the perfect look from my uniform?

When choosing a uniform make sure it conforms to your body. A tailor can help it fit perfectly; using shirt stays, also helps maintain the uniform shirt in place. Military creases give a sharp look but are not required.

What can I use to clean my uniform?

Some uniforms may be hand washed whole others require commercial dry cleaning. Pay close attention to the care instructions on each item. Hat covers can be clean using soap and water. khaki uniforms and white t-shirt scan be washed with normal clothing at the same type. Use non-bleach chlorine on white shirts. Black uniform items must be washed on gentle cycle in cold water with mild detergent. All items must be dried on low heat with permanent press, but should be removed the end of the cycle. Occasionally professional cleaning of the uniform keeps it looking sharp.

Do any of the uniforms require pressing?

Yes. All uniforms should be pressed with an ordinary iron usually set to low heat. Black items should be pressed with a press cloth in order to avoid a permanent shine; the cloth can be either a special lint free cloth or brown paper from a grocery bag, which is placed between the garment and the iron, sprinkling water lightly on top.

Uniform Appearance Standards

General

Each cadet is responsible for knowing and following the standards of grooming and uniform wear established here, and by the Chief of Naval Education and Training in the currant edition of the Cadet Field Manual. Since this chapter provides some special rules that are observed at Miami Beach Sr. High, it should be followed in the event of disagreement with the cadet field manual.

Rules of conduct in Uniform

The public looks upon NJROTC cadets, when in uniform, as representatives of the U.S. NAVY and Miami Beach Sr. High. It is important therefore, that the reputation of the U.S. NAVY and Miami Beach Sr. High school not suffer because of poor cadet conduct or appearance in uniform. The following excerpt from the U.S. Navy uniform regulations applies to NJROTC cadets in uniform when they are in public view: ” Public showing of affection “( hand holding, embracing, etc.), placing hands in pockets, smoking, eating and or drinking beverages while in uniform as pedestrians detracts from military smartness and as such is considered ” inappropriate.” The restriction on eating and drinking refers only to walking along or near public streets or in public places and does not refer to the school campus during mess. Uniform items are issued out to cadets with acceptable grooming standards at the beginning of each school year. All cadets are required to pay a $20 maintenance fee[at the beginning of the school year]. If an item requires tailoring the Cadet’s uniform can be taken to our unit tailor. Our tailor will make the required adjustments and charge our unit, not the cadet nor his/her parents.

If uniform is not turned in by the end of the year, a student obligation will be issued to that student. Student Obligation Slips prevent students from graduating until the fee is paid off.

The cadet and parents have another significant cost: keeping the uniform items clean. While most of the issued uniform items can be machine washed and ironed at home, some specific items require occasional dry-cleaning, and these costs are the responsibility of the cadet and his/her parents. Each issued item should have a tag that describes how to clean the item.

When to wear the uniform

The instructors will designate a standard “uniform day” for the inspection grade, normally Wednesday (“A” Day Periods 1/3/5/7) and Thursday (“B” Day Periods 2/4/6/8) . Any exchanges must be made days before inspection; cadets may not borrow or lend uniform items. If a special event changes the “uniform day” for the week, any changes will be announced well ahead of time. On the official uniform day, a cadet must wear a full and complete uniform from the time he or she leaves home in the morning, until he or she returns home after school, unless the cadet receives permission to change clothes from the instructors in advance. permission to change clothes from the instructors in advance. Permission may be granted to change after school for such things as varsity sorts practices or some jobs. The instructors must grant any deviation from the above in advance.

Grading Policy:

1. Failure to wear the uniform on uniform day (unexcused):

If an NS1 Cadet fails to wear their uniform on the designated uniform day (unexcused), they can wear it on the next day and receive a grade as high as the minimum passing score (60%). If they fail to wear their uniform on the designated uniform day, and also fail to wear their uniform on the specified make up day ,they will receive a grade of 0 (zero) for that week’s uniform grade. If an NS1 fails to wear the uniform more that five times in a semester they will be dis-enrolled from the NJROTC program.

If an NS2 or above fails to wear their uniform on the designated uniform day she/he gets a zero for that week’s uniform inspection grade. Failure to wear the uniform on the designated uniform inspection day in excess of three times in a quarter, will result in dis-enrollment from the Nova NJROTC program.

2. Absent on uniform day (excused absence):

NS1 – If a Cadet is absent on their designated uniform day and the absence is excused, they can wear their uniform on the next day and receive full credit for their uniform grade (same standards as if they had been present.) If they fail to wear their uniform on the next academic day, they will receive a grade of zero(0) and that miss will count towards the number of failures necessary for dis-enrollment.

NS2’s and Above- If a cadet is absent on their designated uniform day, and the absence is excused, the Uniform Inspection grade will be automatically excused, with no repercussions. An “X” will appear in the grade book for that particular uniform day.

Please take the time to read and think through these grading policies. They are briefed in class and discussed almost every uniform day. Know what your responsibilities are if you fail to wear your uniform on the designated uniform day. If you have any questions about this policy, contact HM1 Hunter or Captain Gallagher.

Knowledge for Personnel Inspection

As a cadet at Miami Beach Senior High School NJROTC unit, maintaining a degree of superiority and excellence is of the most importance. You will be required to uphold a high standard of military bearing as well as appearance, military knowledge, and maintain a grade of neatness higher than the average student population, helping enhance the corps spirits and building pride upon the unit.

Cadets are expected to commit a certain about of knowledge to memory.  During weekly personnel inspections, cadets are expected to have this knowledge readily available and able to answer questions as requested from the inspector.

Link below contains the majority of this required knowledge.

Rules to attend Field Trips

Educational field trips, in addition to NJROTC drill meets, parades, color guard events will be scheduled each year. Eligibility to participate in these field trips, drill meets, etc,is based on Cadet:

1. Attained a satisfactory in his or her personnel inspection.
2. Submitted the Dade County School Board Health form.
3. Completed field trip permission form and standard release forms.
4. Having a 2.0 grade point average in all subject areas.
5. Be approved by the Instructor.

Advancements Requirements

E2 SEAMAN APPRENTICE REQUIREMENTS

• Must have passed Seaman Apprentice Test.
• Must have a grade higher than a C in NJROTC.
• Must have a GPA higher than 2.0.
• Must have taken physical fitness test.
• Must not have any F’s in report card.
• Must have at least attended one community service event.
• Must not have failed at wearing dress uniform more than 3 times within the grading period.
• Must not get anything lower than 2.0 during uniform inspection.
• Must meet proper grooming standards.
• Must be recommended by platoon commander.

E3 SEAMAN REQUIREMENTS

• Must have passed Seaman test.
• Must have a grade higher than a C in NJROTC.
• Must have a GPA higher than 2.0.
• Must have taken PFT test.
• Must not have any F’s in report card.
• Must have at least attended three community service events.
• Must not have failed at wearing dress uniform more than 3 times withing the grading period.
• Must not get anything lower than 2.5 during uniform inspection.
• Must meet proper grooming standards.
• Must be recommended by platoon commander.

E4 PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS REQUIREMENTS

• Must have passed PO3 test.
• Must have at least a B in NJROTC.
• Must have a GPA higher than 2.0.
• Must have taken a PFT test.
• Must not have any F’s in report card.
• Must have at least attended five community service events.
• Must have attended at least one Drill Team competition.
• Must not have failed at wearing dress uniform more than 3 times within the grading period.
• Must not get anything lower than 3.0 during the uniform inspection.
• Must meet proper grooming standards. 
• Must be recommended by platoon commander.
• Must be recommended by either Naval Science instructor or Senior Naval Science Instructor.

E5 AND ABOVE RANKS ARE TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE NJROTC INSTRUCTORS

Cadence/Jodies

They Say In The Navy
They say that in the Navy the coffee’s mighty fine
it looks like muddy water, it tastes like turpentine.

They say that in the Navy, the mail’s so fast it’s great
Today I got a letter dated 1948.

They say that in the Navy the toilets are mighty fine,
you flush them down at seven, they come back up again at nine.

They say that in the Navy the pay is mighty fine,
they give you 100 dollars and take back 99.

They say that in the Navy the training’s mighty fine
Last night there were ten of us, now there’s only nine.

They say that in the Navy, the meat is mighty fine
Last night we had ten puppies, his morning only nine

They say that in the Navy, the shoes are mighty fine
You ask for size eleven, they give you size nine

They say that in the Navy, the pancakes are mighty fine
You can try to chew them, but you’re only wasting time

They say that in the Navy, the bed’s are mighty fine
But how the hell would I know, I’ve never slept in mine

They say that in the Navy, the hours are just right
Start early in the morning and work on through the night

They say that in the Navy, the buses are mighty fine
One went round the corner, and left three wheels behind

They say that in the Navy, the coffee’s mighty fine
It’s good for cuts and bruises and tastes like iodine