Utilizing the JROTC Organizing Packet

"The JROTC Organizing Packet is a resource for community activists, concerned parents, and school administrators and teachers that wish to exert pressure on local school districts or individual middle and high schools to end the practice of placing youth, primarily those targeted from economically challenged families and communities of color, into Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs without parental notification or prior student consent.

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How the Packet is Organized

The JROTC Organizing Packet is organized into the following information and resources:

The packet contains:

1. Background

a. History of J.R.O.T.C.
b. Basic facts on J.R.O.T.C.
c. Research links

2. Action

a. Possible actions/organizing strategies
b. How to Research J.R.O.T.C. Minimum Enrollment/Forced Enrollment
c. Searching for J.R.O.T.C. units by state
d. Model form to confirm fully informed consent prior to enrollment
e. Sample Resolution
f. Statement by National Lawyers Guild Military Task Force
g. Tips for writing letters to the editor
h. Sample letter to the editor
i. Sample student questionnaire in English and Spanish
j. Social media content

3. Feedback

a. We have created a website for this project. The URL: https://endcom.org
This packet in its entirety has been posted there.
b. We encourage you to check out the Peaceful Careers website which will provide alternatives to JROTC programming.
The URL: https://peacefulcareers.org/
c. We invite you to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
d. Finally, we would encourage you to fill out an evaluation form which will help us
improve and expand.

Feedback Form

1. contact information – name, email, phone, organization, city/state
2. describe your involvement in counter military recruitment
3. how do you intend to use this information
4. are there organizations you’re acquainted with that should be included
5. do you want to become involved with the Taskforce on an ongoing basis
6. do you want to be included in future mailings
7. Please share any comments: Contact Form

Basic Facts on JROTC

Basic Facts on JROTC There are approximately 550,000 students enrolled in JROTC They include six out of the eight branches of the military.

Estimated Size of JROTC Program in FY2022 (source: Congressional Research Service)

The Coast Guard is establishing four new JROTC units for the 2023/2024 school year, bringing the national total to ten. J.R.O.T.C. units are found in all 50 states with a heavy concentration in the South and Southeast. In determining the number of JROTC units to support, Congress considers defense budget priorities, program benefits and host school concerns. Congress has gradually increased statutory limits on the number of J.R.O.T.C. units. They repealed all prior enacted limitations on the number of units. In 2020 the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service recommended expanding the number of units to 6,000 by 2031.

Demographics of JROTC programs. (Source Rand Corporation 2017) Compared with public high schools overall, JROTC is well represented among public high schools with larger-than-average minority populations. There is also evidence that JROTC is strongly represented in schools serving economically disadvantaged populations, whether measured by Title I eligibility or free and reduced-price lunch program participation. However, JROTC programs are far more prevalent in some states than in others, with a particular concentration in the Southeast. In addition, JROTC is underrepresented in rural areas.

At public high schools with JROTC programs, 56.6 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, on average. At public high schools without JROTC programs, 46.9 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, on average. 

JROTC is well represented among public high schools with larger-than-average minority populations. In general,schools operating JROTC programs have higher-than-average representation forminority students andlower-than-average representation for white students. At public high schools with JROTC programs, 29.4 percent of students are African American. At non- JROTC schools, 12.1 percent of students are African American. At public high schools with JROTC programs, 22.4 percent of students are Hispanic. At non-JROTC public high schools, 19.7 percent of students are Hispanic. 

Possible Actions

We have included some suggestions for possible actions and related tools to help you get going.

First, though, we suggest you research your local high schools, school board, department of education. Here are some suggestions:

1. If there are schools in your area that have JROTC, check to see if they are forcing students into JROTC or if they possibly have not met the minimum enrollment requirement. (Refer to the section in the JROTC Organizers Packet:  “How to Research JROTC Minimum Enrollment/Forced Enrollment).

2. Write letters to the editor

3. Write op-ed articles

4. Use our sample talking points in the JROTC Organizers Packet and social media graphics to launch a social media campaign.

5. Campaign for a school district policy that requires fully informed consent be given in writing before a student is enrolled in JROTC.
(Refer to the “Form for Parent and Student to Consent to or Decline Participation in the JROTC Program" in the JROTC Organizers Packet)

6. Find out if the is a Peace and Social Justice Club in your school that you can work with.

7. Contact the Task Force for information on the status of any legislation introduced to restrict JROTC programs and practices using the Contact Form.