Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)

The Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Program at Miami Beach Senior High School, Miami Beach Senior High School (MBSHS), Florida was established on July 1st, 2000. This makes this program one of the eldest NJROTC programs in South Florida. The program is currently assigned to Area 12and it is a 4-year course of instruction. There are approximately 150 Cadets in the program annually.

The National Defense Act of 1916 established organized JROTC programs at public and private educational institutions. In 1964, Congress expanded the program to all military services and changed from active duty to shared support from the services and schools. As congressionally mandated by Title 10 United States Code, Section 2031, each military service must have a JROTC program to “instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” JROTC’s mission, “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens,” is the guidepost for the program’s success. Congress authorized the expansion of the Navy JROTC program in 1964. The NJROTC program was established by Public Law in 1964 and may be found in Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 102.

The program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the nation, by instructors who are retired Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. The NJROTC 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 community service activities, drill competition, field meets, flights, visits to naval activities, marksmanship training, and other military training. Uniforms, textbooks, training aids, travel allowance, and a substantial portion are provided by the Navy.

 

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.

To:          Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Parents, 

From:   Navy JROTC Instructors 

We are excited to have your son/daughter in our Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program!

About NJROTC

The mission of NJROTC is to instill in high school students the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. Our program helps develop informed and responsible citizens, encourages orderliness and discipline, and fosters leadership potential.

Please note: NJROTC is not a recruiting program for the Armed Forces.

Program Details

• Program Fee: $25, payable to the Miami Beach Senior High School OSP on the Student Portal
• Uniforms: Cadets will be issued:

• • Navy Service Uniform (NSU)

• • Physical Training (PT) Gear

 

Weekly Requirements:

• Uniform Wear:

• • NSU – Every Tuesday or Wednesday (A or B day)

• • PT Uniform – Every Thursday or Friday (A or B day)

• Inspections: Uniform inspections occur on uniform days and are a major part of the cadet’s grade.

 

Important: Cadets must wash and iron their uniform before inspections. At the end of the school year, the NSU must be returned dry cleaned with a receipt attached. Replacement Cost (if not returned): $257+

AMI ( Areas Managers Inspection) is a mandatory event where all cadets are expected to attend in their complete NSU and comply with all regulations and grooming standards stated in the Cadet Field Manual.

Community Service & Competitions

Throughout the year, cadets will have multiple opportunities to earn volunteer hours required for graduation. Most cadets complete 50+ hours annually.

We also participate in various competitions, including:

• Brain Brawls (Academic Competitions)
• STEM Challenges (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) 
• Cyber Security - In 2024–2025, our Cyber Security team placed 3rd in the nation!
• Orienteering (Land Navigation)
• Color Guard
• Drill Competitions
• Physical Training Postals

 

How You Can Help

 

We always appreciate support from our cadet families! Please consider donating any of the following items for classroom use:

• Kleenex                                 
• Paper towels
• College-ruled paper
• Printer paper
• Pens & pencils
• Cleaning Wipes

 

Thank you for your support! We look forward to a rewarding and successful year with your cadet!

For any issues or concerns, please refer to either of the instructors: 

SNSI (Senior Naval Science Instructor): Commander Brodes Hartley III (Ret) – hartleyb@dadeschools.net

NSI (Naval Science Instructor): Commander Cindy Suarez (Ret) – 337881@dadeschools.net 

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. 

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. 

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

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 current edition of the Cadet Field Manual. Since this chapter provides some special rules that are observed at MBSHS, it should be followed in the event of disagreement with the cadet field manual.

All uniform wear instructions can be found in your Cadet Reference Manual:

https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NJROTC/Instructions/

Rules of conduct in Uniform

The public looks upon NJROTC cadets, when in uniform, as representatives of the U.S. NAVY and MBSHS. It is important therefore, that the reputation of the U.S. NAVY and MBSHS not suffer because of poor cadet conduct or appearance in uniform.

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.

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, for example the Service Dress Blue Coat, require occasional dry-cleaning, and these costs are the responsibility of the cadet and his/her parents,

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

When to wear the uniform

The instructors will designate a standard Navy Service Uniform Day for the inspection grade, normally Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on A/B day schedule, and for physical fitness, Thursday or Friday, again depending on A/B day schedule. 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 may be granted to change after school for such things as varsity sorts practices or some jobs.

Grading Policy:

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

If a 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 (70%). 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.

2. Absent on uniform day (excused absence):

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.

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.

As a Cadet at MBSHS 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 by the Instructor.

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.

E2 – Seaman Apprentice Requirements

• 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 be recommended by platoon commander.

 

E3 – Seaman Requirements

• 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 three community service events.

• Must not have failed at wearing dress uniform more than 3 times withing the grading period.

• Must be recommended by platoon commander.

E4 – Petty Officer Third Class

• Must have at least a B in NJROTC.

• Must have a GPA higher than 2.0.

• Must have taken a physical fitness 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 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

Everywhere We Go
Everywhere we go-o
People wanna know-o
Who we are
So we tell them
We’re not the Army
The backpackin’ Army
We’re not the Air Force
The low flyin’ Air Force
We’re not the Mo-rines
They don’t even look mean
We’re not the Coast Guard
They don’t even work hard
We are the Navy
The world’s greatest Navy
The mighty-mighty Navy

******

Master Sergeant
Up in the Morning at half past 3
Master Sergeant Brooks is bringin’ heat
she’s got cadets all around her desk
got two JG’s in the front leaning rest 
Master Sergeant, Master Sergeant can’t you see
you can’t bring no smoke on me
I can run to Bremerton just like this
all the way to Bremerton just like this
I can run to Bangor just like this
all the way to Bangor just like this
I can run to Paris Island just like this
all the way to Carolina just like this

******

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