Objectives of the NJROTC Program: The NJROTC program is conducted to provide an opportunity for secondary school students to learn the basic elements and requirements for national security and their personal obligations as American citizens to contribute to national security. The Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) is a leadership program designed to give students a head start. NJROTC develops the self-discipline, self-confidence, and leadership skills to help students successfully meet life’s challenges. People who are successful in life, who succeed in business, industry, and education, have developed strong self-discipline, the ability to show initiative and the ability to motivate. The NJROTC curriculum and instructional activities are designed to develop leadership ability regardless of one’s career path. The NJROTC program has the following objectives:

1. Promote patriotism
2. Develop informed and responsible citizens
3. Promote habits of orderliness and precision and to develop respect for constituted authority
4. Develop a high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, individual discipline, and leadership
5. Promote an understanding of the basic elements and requirements of national security
6. Develop respect for an understanding of the need for constituted authority in a democratic society

Navy Support and Supervision: The U.S. Navy supports the NJROTC program to the fullest extent possible to meet its stated objectives. There are more than 600 NJROTC programs in schools across the continental USA, and in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Japan, and Italy. 

1. Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) is assigned overall responsibility for the NJROTC program. This includes certification of Naval Science instructors, textbooks, uniforms, logistic support to units, and inspection of the NJROTC units at least annually.
2. The Naval Education and Training Commander (NETC) headquarters is in Pensacola, Florida and executes the program. There are a number of NJROTC Area Managers, each responsible for the supervision of school programs in several states. Cherokee High School is under the Area Four Manager with headquarters in Philadelphia, PA.

NJROTC Instructors: NJROTC instructors are qualified officers and non-commissioned officers who have retired from active duty, after a minimum of 20 years of service. NJROTC instructors are certified to teach by the U.S. Navy and the state of New Jersey. Both NJROTC instructors have additional educational qualifications such as Masters degrees and advanced teacher training. NJROTC instructors are employees of the school district. The Navy provides instructional materials and equipment related to the teaching of Naval Science courses.

Cherokee NJROTC Charter: The Cherokee High School NJROTC unit received its official charter on 29 January 2009.

FAQs:

Will cadets be required to join the U.S. Armed Forces?

• Cadets have absolutely no commitment regarding future military service. For those cadets who decide to enlist in the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Army, or Air Force, the completion of 3-4 years of JROTC will permit entry at an advanced pay grade. JROTC experience is also looked favorably upon by all military service academies and ROTC College selection boards. In addition, the Senior Naval Science Instructor can directly nominate outstanding cadets to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Do the Uniforms cost anything?

• Uniforms are provided to all NJROTC Cadets free of charge.