District 214 Leadership Development Program Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps

Wheeling High School 900 South Elmhurst Road Wheeling, IL 60090-5599 (E-mail/phone contact info)

 

 

The Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) is an elective course offering training in leadership and citizenship, as well as curriculum in science and history. The program is intended to give students a head start in skills that students need to succeed in high school, college, workplace, or community. NJROTC develops discipline and self-confidence. It is not a military recruiting program and there is no military obligation. There are benefits to being in the program if a student chooses to join the military or apply for NROTC college scholarships after high school, but the mission of the unit is to help students excel regardless of their career choice.

NJROTC is offered as four one-year elective credit courses. Students are encouraged to start their training as a freshman, however they may begin instruction at any time. The course is offered as single semester, 90-minute 'block' or yearlong 45-minute 'skinny' courses at Wheeling. The year-long skinny is recommended. Students take the course in-lieu of another elective or instead of a study hall. The 45 minute course is recommended, especially for freshman.

For all other schools and for WHS students who otherwise can't fit it into their schedule, NJROTC is offered on Wednesday nights from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  They begin classroom academics at 4:30 pm, break for dinner at 6:30, and resume training in the field house at 7:00. Arrangements can usually be made to work around conflicts with other after school activities and sports as long as enough contact time can be arranged to justify an elective credit. Night students are effectively 'overloading' their schedule with an additional class and they are placed in a large-class setting. Parents may want to discuss appropriateness of night placement with instructors and counselors.

In addition to academics, instruction includes physical education training, marching, and military bearing. Cadets are expected to wear their uniform at school on Wednesdays. Uniforms are provided by the Navy, as are all book and instructional materials. There is no cost to the program.

More than just a classroom experience, the cadets form a Battalion that is run by the cadets. Under the supervision of the instructors, students apply leadership theory to real world experiences. The hands-on learning and leadership also add fun to the class. Cadets can volunteer for precision drill, orienteering, athletic or academic teams. They hold lock-ins, swim meets, social functions and fieldtrips. Each year the unit makes at least one optional weeklong orientation trips, during which cadets fly on a naval aircraft to visit and observe naval operations in places like Florida, California or Hawaii.

Additional information about the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps can be obtained by contacting the Naval Science Instructors at 718-7115.