JRTOC

Bell High School U.S. Army Junior ROTC Program With the establishment of the Bell High School U.S. Army Junior ROTC the Bulldog Battalion joined over 2,000 programs in other high schools scattered throughout the United States and at various military posts throughout the world. Junior ROTC is a time tested and highly successful educational and development program established by congress with the passing of the National Defense Act of 1916.

The mission of the U.S. Army Junior ROTC is to "Motivate Young People To Be Better Americans." The program prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities and privileges as American citizens. The program is a stimulus for promoting continuing education and it provides instruction and rewarding opportunities, which will benefit the student, community, and the nation.

The Program of Instruction focuses on the development of better citizens by building skills in leadership, citizenship, life success, geography, and wellness, in a structured interactive environment. The JROTC program is a cooperative effort on the part of the Army and the Gilchrist County School District to provide students with opportunities for total development. Satisfactory completion of the program can lead to advanced placement credit in the Senior ROTC program or advanced rank in the Armed Forces.

As a cadet succeeds and elects to remain within the program, progressively more responsibilities are incurred with the ranks attained. Leadership is experienced on a daily basis and the opportunity to excel in additional areas of administration, operations, logistics and public affairs are readily available.

Academics are critical, but the "whole person" concept is also valued, therefore participation and performance are considered in all grading periods. Whenever possible "hands on" training is integrated with all formal classroom instruction.

The United States Army provides all uniforms (on a loan basis), textbooks, workbooks, and supportive training materials. The cadets are responsible for the uniforms while they are in their possession and the cadet's must maintain the uniforms; i.e., cleaning, etc. Uniforms are normally worn once each week, on Wednesday, which is a graded requirement. There is no obligation incurred to the United States Army whatsoever by any Cadet, for any military service, now or in the future.

The JROTC program intends to teach cadets to:

Maximize potential for success through learning and self-management
Develop leadership skills
Incorporate principles of mental and physical wellness into behaviors and decisions
Build effective relationships with peers, co-workers, and the community
Apply physical and political geography to building global awareness
Correlate the rights and responsibilities of citizenship to the purposes of the U.S. government
Relate events in U.S. history to choices and responsibilities Americans have today
Characterize the role of the military and other national service organizations in building a democracy and maintaining peace in a democratic society.

Extra-Curricular Activities
Indicated below are the extra-curricular activities that are currently available within the Bulldog Battalion. All activities are available to both male and female cadets. All teams compete at the local and state level.

Color Guard
Presents and raises the American flag at community and school events.

Drill Team
Regulation and Exhibition Drill teams that compete in drill meets.

Honor Guard
Act as guides, escorts at numerous school and community events.

Adventure Training (Raiders)
Develop skills in knot tying, repelling, rope bridges and other non-combative survival skills.

Marksmanship Team
Teach and refine marksmanship skills and participate in matches.

U. S. ARMY JROTC INSTRUCTORS

JRTOC