SUBJECT: JROTC Information Paper for Cadets and Their Parents/Guardians
1. PURPOSE. To present an overview of Pelahatchie High School JROTC that identifies standards and expectations in regard to enrollment and advancement in the Army JROTC Program. This paper must be signed by the cadet and parent/guardian upon entry into the program.
2. INSTRUCTORS: Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Brandon Herd – Senior Army Instructor (SAI) and Sergeant First Class (Retired) Marty McGraw – Army Instructor (AI).
3. COURSE OVERVIEW:
A. JROTC is designed to teach high school students the value of leadership, leadership, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment, while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork and self-discipline. This curriculum prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. Meanwhile, the program promotes graduation from high school, while providing instruction and rewarding opportunities that benefit the student, community, and nation. The primary mission of JROTC is “To motivate young people to be better citizens.”
B. JROTC is more than a physical education credit. It is a cooperative effort on the part of the Army and the school to provide students opportunities for total development. JROTC can lead to advanced placement credit in college ROTC or to an advanced rank in the armed forces upon enlistment in a student chooses that career path. Nonetheless, JROTC is not an officer-producing program nor it one of its goals to place students in the military. In fact, LTC Herd and SFC McGraw are not military recruiters and do not coerce students to join the military. Again, we are NOT recruiters.
4. COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:
Communication Skills
Leadership
First Aid
Physical Fitness
Drug Abuse Prevention
Community Service
Color Guards
Drill (Marching)
Military Ball
Adventure Training
Field Trip
Summer Camp
Summer STEM Camp
5. INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH: JROTC is taught through a combination of lecture, group discussions, practical exercises, demonstrations, hands-on/performance oriented training, and drill. Cadets are graded on effort, rather than actual performance on physical activities such as Cadet Challenge (physical fitness) and drill. Mondays and Tuesdays are usually instructional or academic days; Wednesdays are uniform inspection and drill, Thursdays and Fridays are physical fitness/organized athletics.
6. COURSE EXPECTATIONS, GRADING, CADET CONDUCT & CONSEQUENCES:
A. EXPECTATIONS:
1. Wear uniform correctly ALL day on uniform days (Wednesday)
2. Each Wednesday, each Cadet is expected to have proper clothing/shoes and
willingness to participate in drill & fitness activities (NO COWBOY BOOTS).
3. Conduct should be in accordance with Cadet Creed and the 7 Army Values.
4. Be in compliance with school and Rankin County District rules.
5. Show respect for everyone, but especially ALL adults in the school.
Bottom Line: We expect cadets to LOOK (hair, shaving, dress) and ACT like a cadet from the 1st Day to the Last Day of School, not just while they are in JROTC or in Uniform.
B. GRADING:
Uniform Wear – 60%
Tests/Essays/Presentations – 20%
Participation (Class, Drill, Fitness) – 20%
C. UNIFORM WEAR AND APPEARANCE: Each cadet will be issued a clean uniform complete with everything they need to wear with it. These are issued at no cost to the cadet. It is the cadet’s responsibility to keep up with it, wear it correctly and keep it clean. Uniforms should be issued within the next few weeks. Although some cadets may not get a coat immediately, wear of shirt and pants will be directed some those cadets. Some basic requirements for appearance and uniform wear are:
1. Cadets are required to have an easily maintained haircut that is within JROTC standards. We expect all cadets to meet haircut standards by August 31, 2025. Failure to maintain a proper hair cut can result in both a reduction in grade, but also prohibition from being selected to participate in certain events in which JROTC is involved (i.e. parking details, community service, etc.) Failure to comply will result in disenrollment from the program.
Males: Hair will be natural color, not touching the ears, collar, or extending beyond the eyebrows. The wear of unkempt, twisted, matted, or shaved individual parts of hair (i.e. designs, mohawks) are not authorized. The face will be clean-shaven except for permitted mustaches. Sideburns will not extend below the center of the ear canal.
Females: Hairstyles will be of natural color at all times, and while in uniform, will
not interfere with proper wearing of the military headgear and will not fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar. Barrettes and other fixtures used to “pin up” hair should be subdued and closely match the cadet’s hair color.
2. Earrings and studs WILL NOT be worn by male cadets at any time while in uniform OR WHILE participating in JROTC activities (i.e. class, practices, events). Female cadets may wear one set of stud earrings (1/4” or smaller) in the ear lobe while in uniform. No ear jewelry may be worn with the ACU Camouflage Uniform. Wearing of jewelry on pierced exposed body parts other than ears is prohibited.
3. As stated above, uniform will be worn properly ALL DAY on uniform days. Cadets are allowed to change out during classes such as PE, Art, or other class that could damage the uniform. Check with your instructor first. Failure to wear uniform on required days will result in a ZERO being entered in the grade book until it is made up.
4. MAKE UP POLICY:
If Present at School on Uniform Day. If cadet is present at school but fails to wear uniform on required uniform day, they can wear the next class day with a 25% reduction in maximum grade. If cadet fails to wear on first make up day, they will have one more opportunity to make up the uniform on the next class day with a 50% reduction in maximum grade. After that, the grade of zero will be permanent. If you are assigned In School Suspension (ISS) on uniform day, you are still expected to be in uniform.
If Absent from School on Uniform Day. If a cadet is absent from school on required uniform day, they can wear the next class day (normally a Friday) with a no reduction in maximum grade if a valid excuse is presented. If cadet fails to wear on first make up day, they will have the opportunity to make up the uniform on the next class day with a 20% reduction in maximum grade and referred to school administrators for one-day period after-school detention (ASD) by your instructor. If they fail to wear on the 2nd make up day, they will have one more class period to make up uniform day with a 40% reduction in maximum grade. After that, the grade of zero will be permanent.
5. SCHOOL WIDE PERFORMANCE: As stated above, we expect cadets to look and act like a cadet throughout the school year, both inside and outside of JROTC. This also includes their academic performance in other classes. The following actions will be taken to reinforce this expectations:
Cadets who are failing ANY class at school at the sign up deadline, WILL NOT be allowed to go on the Field Trip. Normally our trip is in early Spring, so they can’t wait until January to focus on grades. If they are struggling in class, they need to ask for help!
D. RESTRICTION FROM ENROLLMENT FOLLOWING YEAR:
1. While we know that JROTC is an important course at Pelahatchie High School, we also realize its effect on graduation is minimal. In order to emphasize the importance in passing core subjects (Math, Science, English & History), the following policy will be followed:
A. If a cadet fails a single core subject at the end of the school year, their enrollment in JROTC for the following school year will be at the discretion of the JROTC Instructors. Approval to come back to JROTC will depend primarily on the effort they put forth in the class.
B. Any students who fails two (2) or more core subjects will not be allowed to enroll in JROTC the following year. Cadets who fail to maintain a B or higher average in JROTC for the school year, WILL NOT be allowed to enroll in JROTC next year. If cadet wears uniform when required, have proper grooming, and participates when required, this will not be an issue.
3. Other reasons that a cadet will be restricted from enrolling the following year:
A. Repeated failure to follow legitimate peer commands.
B. Misconduct inside/outside JROTC (School Discipline)
C. Poor Attendance
D. Undesirable character traits such as cheating, stealing, lying, substance abuse, repeated use of profanity, or any actions that discredit the school, community or JROTC program.
7. OTHER INFORMATION:
A. PHYSICAL FITNESS: Cadets are required to participate in the Cadet Challenge, an annual test of five events that can lead to awards in the Presidential Physical Fitness Program and an opportunity to earn JROTC ribbons. Cadets are expected the give the maximum effort within the limits of pre-recorded chronic ailments or other physical limitations. Cadets must also participate in weekly physical fitness training. We plan to conduct a diagnostic Cadet Challenge during the fall semester and a record Cadet Challenge in the April timeframe.
B. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: PHS JROTC teams offer something for everyone. These include Drill, Marksmanship, Physical Fitness, Orienteering, Academic and Leadership. More information will be provided on practices in the near future.
C. COMMUNITY/SCHOOL SERVICE: School and Community Service is an integral part of JROTC. We have a strong belief that part of being a good citizen is giving back to your community. There will be multiple opportunities for cadets to support the school and local community.
8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
A. FUNDRAISING: THERE IS NO FEE FOR BEING IN JROTC, but as with any school organization, fundraising is a necessary effort. Cadets who are active in the program will easily receive this much value or more.
B: DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION: During the school year, I will be emailing updates and news from JROTC to those whose email address I have. One of the forms your cadets are required to turn in is the Cadet Data Form. At the bottom is a place to include any email address you would like for me to send information to. For email notifications, send an email to brandon.herd@rcsd.ms or mar582@rcsd.ms.
9. FORMAL INSPECTION: We expect to undergo an Informal Inspection conducted by the Rankin County School District Director of Army Instruction in November 2025 for this school year. The adherence to the standards of the program by EVERY cadet is critical to our success. You will be notified as we receive more information.
10. CONCLUSION: We are pleased to have your son/daughter as part of our program. We are looking forward to a fun and challenging school year. They have volunteered for the level of discipline that this program requires, and we pledge to treat them with the respect they deserve. As your child progresses through this program, it is our hope that you will see the development of a better son/daughter, brother/sister, student and citizen. We look forward to meeting you, and are available to discuss any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have. We encourage you to visit our website at https://www.rcsd.ms/Page/26654. Feel free to contact Sergeant First Class Marty McGraw, or me at (601) 854-5448, or email us at brandon.herd@rcsd.ms or mar583@rcsd.ms