Developing Leaders Through High School Junior ROTC: Integrating Theory with Practice

Abstract

Executive Summary

Many programs and opportunities exist in secondary education to develop leadership in high school students. From athletics to clubs to student government, students are given numerous venues to act as leaders to their peers. However, very few high school students are provided any type of formal leadership training through an educational process.

Approximately 3,000 high schools in the United States offer Junior ROTC (JROTC) as an elective in their curriculum. Although the four military services offer separate programs, as a whole, JROTC is a youth development program designed to educate students for citizenship and to provide leadership opportunities for personal growth. An academic curriculum of leadership instruction prepares students to assume greater responsibilities in leadership roles within the JROTC unit. This integration of academic instruction with applied leadership skills is a unique and effective method of teaching leadership in an academic environment.

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