Callsign_Gloves
Police dude
Hey Agents,
Thought I would talk a bit about a program here in the United States today, and hopefully, get some opinions on what you all think about it. Especially veterans. From my experiences, the older vets (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) all really like us, but so far, vets from onwards, such as the Global War On Terror (GOWT) are not as big of fans. Anyways, let's start.
JROTC, or, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, is a federally sponsored program by the U.S. Armed Forces. Each branch of the military maintains a corps. And yes, even the Coast Guard. But I believe the few that exist (as far as I know, they only have 2 or 3 units) are in Alaska. I may be wrong. Moving along. It's offered as a high school (secondary school) elective, typically lasting only a single period, and lead by retired veterans. One an Officer, the second an Enlisted. At least in AFJROTC, we call the Officer that SASI (Senior Aerospace Science Instructor) and the Enlisted the ASI (Aerospace Science Instructor).
I myself have been a cadet for the past nearly 4 months now. C/AMN Scott, Flight F, Squadron OH-20052, Region 2, AFJROTC. Each branch puts their initials in front of JROTC. AF being Air Force (Yay Chair Force!), A being Army, MC - Marine Corps, N - Navy, you get it. Also, regarding ranks, and addressing cadets. The C/ of C/AMN stands for Cadet. AMN = Airman, an actual USAF rank abbreviation. We do not hold that rank, we hold the cadet equivalent to it. Cadets are typically addressed as "Cadet", but by other cadets, it varies. Some units address each other by rank, but the majority just seem to do last names. I personally tend to address the cadet officers by rank.
A question I get asked (and I assume many other cadets get asked) a lot is "Are you going into/are in the military?". Although we are in a program funded by it, no, we are not. We have no contract, service obligation, or anything. We are simply cadets. Now, if you do (some say serve, but again, some veterans do not like us saying that) 2 or more years in it, and decide to enlist in a branch, then you will get some benefits. I understand the wiki page says 3-4 years, but that is incorrect.
I have heard, however, that each branch may handle it differently. This is what I know though. 2 years will get you E-2, and 3-4 years can get you E-3. I have heard that it is slightly different for the Marine Corps, and that it takes 3-4 years to get E-2 with them. A friend of mine did 2, and he has enlisted in the Corps. So I will check with him on that.
Another question is if we get military training, and what do we learn from it. Military training, yes, and no. Is it like Basic Training? Absolutely not. But it will help you do better there, and obviously, once you graduate from it, you may get advanced rank. But this is not a mile run for PT every day, or even every week. It is not firearms, or tactics. It's not hell week, it's not anything near that. It is typically the more formal part of the Armed Forces. I'm talking marching, rank structure, uniform wear, courtesies, and for myself, also astronomy, and leadership and communication. There are teams, and guards you may join however. Armed, and unarmed exhibition, Honor and/or Color Guard, Raider Teams, and I have no idea how many units, if any at all, have air rifle teams anymore. I know the majority do not.
I'm trying hard not to drag this out too long, so if you have questions, I will reply, but I'm trying to give a brief overall of it.
To end things, I'll say what it's personally allowed me to do, and what I think of it.
I haven't been in long, but some highlights have been being selected for my squadrons Raiders Team (Which is a physical fitness team), doing Color Guards, community service, parades, ceremonies, and using AN-PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles (I call them NVG's, or Nods, for short).
My personal opinion of it, is that it's full of great experiences. Your under the supervision of veterans who have served 20+ years, and trust me, they have a great amount of knowledge and wisdom. Once you've been there for awhile, you can really start to look up to them, and be mentored even. That, in my mind, is invaluable. If you're looking to enlist, defiantly a good choice. Get a little ahead of other people, and go in with some knowledge that others won't have yet. If you don't plan to serve, you can still get some great experiences from it. You can even get scholarships. Which, nobody will really turn down.
Any questions, opinions, or comments, are welcome!
(EDIT: I served 7 months with Flight F, Squadron OH-20052, Region 2, AFJROTC. Finishing as a Cadet Senior Airman, with the following decorations: Superior Performance Ribbon, Academic Ribbon (1st OLC), Special Teams Ribbon (Commonly know as the Drill Competition Ribbon), Service Ribbon, Activities Ribbon, Attendance Ribbon (1st OLC), Good Conduct Ribbon, and Dress and Appearance Ribbon. Holding the position of Flight Sergeant, and recognition of Outstanding Cadet of the Quarter (Top 7 of the Squadron).)
(EDIT 2: I finished my first year with Padre Battalion, 5th Brigade, U.S. Army JROTC. Although I was not awarded anything since I transferred from Squadron OH-20052 towards the end of the year, I was promoted to a company First Sergeant for the next year. (So I will be a First Sergeant until I can enlist into the U.S. Air Force.).
Thought I would talk a bit about a program here in the United States today, and hopefully, get some opinions on what you all think about it. Especially veterans. From my experiences, the older vets (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) all really like us, but so far, vets from onwards, such as the Global War On Terror (GOWT) are not as big of fans. Anyways, let's start.
JROTC, or, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, is a federally sponsored program by the U.S. Armed Forces. Each branch of the military maintains a corps. And yes, even the Coast Guard. But I believe the few that exist (as far as I know, they only have 2 or 3 units) are in Alaska. I may be wrong. Moving along. It's offered as a high school (secondary school) elective, typically lasting only a single period, and lead by retired veterans. One an Officer, the second an Enlisted. At least in AFJROTC, we call the Officer that SASI (Senior Aerospace Science Instructor) and the Enlisted the ASI (Aerospace Science Instructor).
I myself have been a cadet for the past nearly 4 months now. C/AMN Scott, Flight F, Squadron OH-20052, Region 2, AFJROTC. Each branch puts their initials in front of JROTC. AF being Air Force (Yay Chair Force!), A being Army, MC - Marine Corps, N - Navy, you get it. Also, regarding ranks, and addressing cadets. The C/ of C/AMN stands for Cadet. AMN = Airman, an actual USAF rank abbreviation. We do not hold that rank, we hold the cadet equivalent to it. Cadets are typically addressed as "Cadet", but by other cadets, it varies. Some units address each other by rank, but the majority just seem to do last names. I personally tend to address the cadet officers by rank.
A question I get asked (and I assume many other cadets get asked) a lot is "Are you going into/are in the military?". Although we are in a program funded by it, no, we are not. We have no contract, service obligation, or anything. We are simply cadets. Now, if you do (some say serve, but again, some veterans do not like us saying that) 2 or more years in it, and decide to enlist in a branch, then you will get some benefits. I understand the wiki page says 3-4 years, but that is incorrect.
I have heard, however, that each branch may handle it differently. This is what I know though. 2 years will get you E-2, and 3-4 years can get you E-3. I have heard that it is slightly different for the Marine Corps, and that it takes 3-4 years to get E-2 with them. A friend of mine did 2, and he has enlisted in the Corps. So I will check with him on that.
Another question is if we get military training, and what do we learn from it. Military training, yes, and no. Is it like Basic Training? Absolutely not. But it will help you do better there, and obviously, once you graduate from it, you may get advanced rank. But this is not a mile run for PT every day, or even every week. It is not firearms, or tactics. It's not hell week, it's not anything near that. It is typically the more formal part of the Armed Forces. I'm talking marching, rank structure, uniform wear, courtesies, and for myself, also astronomy, and leadership and communication. There are teams, and guards you may join however. Armed, and unarmed exhibition, Honor and/or Color Guard, Raider Teams, and I have no idea how many units, if any at all, have air rifle teams anymore. I know the majority do not.
I'm trying hard not to drag this out too long, so if you have questions, I will reply, but I'm trying to give a brief overall of it.
To end things, I'll say what it's personally allowed me to do, and what I think of it.
I haven't been in long, but some highlights have been being selected for my squadrons Raiders Team (Which is a physical fitness team), doing Color Guards, community service, parades, ceremonies, and using AN-PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles (I call them NVG's, or Nods, for short).
My personal opinion of it, is that it's full of great experiences. Your under the supervision of veterans who have served 20+ years, and trust me, they have a great amount of knowledge and wisdom. Once you've been there for awhile, you can really start to look up to them, and be mentored even. That, in my mind, is invaluable. If you're looking to enlist, defiantly a good choice. Get a little ahead of other people, and go in with some knowledge that others won't have yet. If you don't plan to serve, you can still get some great experiences from it. You can even get scholarships. Which, nobody will really turn down.
Any questions, opinions, or comments, are welcome!
(EDIT: I served 7 months with Flight F, Squadron OH-20052, Region 2, AFJROTC. Finishing as a Cadet Senior Airman, with the following decorations: Superior Performance Ribbon, Academic Ribbon (1st OLC), Special Teams Ribbon (Commonly know as the Drill Competition Ribbon), Service Ribbon, Activities Ribbon, Attendance Ribbon (1st OLC), Good Conduct Ribbon, and Dress and Appearance Ribbon. Holding the position of Flight Sergeant, and recognition of Outstanding Cadet of the Quarter (Top 7 of the Squadron).)
(EDIT 2: I finished my first year with Padre Battalion, 5th Brigade, U.S. Army JROTC. Although I was not awarded anything since I transferred from Squadron OH-20052 towards the end of the year, I was promoted to a company First Sergeant for the next year. (So I will be a First Sergeant until I can enlist into the U.S. Air Force.).
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