In 1916, the National Defense Act gave birth to the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. The Vitalization Act of 1964 further opened up the JROTC program to all branches of the military. Since then, the JROTC has been instilling in high school students around the country "the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment." (U.S. Code, Title 10, Section 2031)

Developed as a cooperative effort between local high schools and the military, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps exists to provide opportunities for high school students to grow both personally and academically. It also serves as a positive introduction to military service and culture resulting in the future enlistment of up to 50 percent of participants. High school graduates who have completed three years of participation in JROTC are eligible for immediate promotion upon enlistment and preferential nomination to the military academies.

The JROTC benefits students in many ways. It encourages high school graduation and can be very helpful in securing scholarships and gaining admission to institutions of higher learning. It promotes the value of teamwork and provides opportunities for leadership making it an effective alternative to gangs, and the emphasis on health and fitness serves as a successful deterrent to drug abuse. The JROTC curriculum teaches self-discipline, patriotism, integrity, loyalty and dedication.

According to the Navy JROTC website, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs seek to:

• Promote patriotism

• Develop informed and responsible citizens

• Develop respect for authority

• Develop leadership potential

• Promote high school completion

• Promote higher education

• Promote community service

• Develop a high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, individual discipline and leadership

• Promote an understanding of the basic elements of, and need for, national security

• Provide information on the military services as a possible career

• Provide an alternative to gangs

• Provide an incentive to live healthy and drug-free

To be eligible for membership in a JROTC program, students must be enrolled in the host high school, must be able to meet basic physical requirements, must be selected by the program instructor and approved by the high school administration, must stay on track to graduate, and must maintain appropriate dress and grooming standards.

Thirteen high schools in Pierce County currently have JROTC programs on campus. They are:

Army JROTC:

Graham Kapowsin High School, 22100 108th Ave. E., Graham, 253.683.6100, bethelsd.org/domain/4693

Lincoln High School, 701 S. 37th St., Tacoma, 253.571.6700, classrooms.tacoma.k12.wa.us/lincoln/lincoln-jrotc

Governor John R. Rogers High School, 12801 86th Ave. E., Puyallup, 253.841.8717, rhs.puyallup.k12.wa.us/activities___athletics/junior_reserve_officer_training_corps_-_jrotc

Lakes High School, 10320 Farwest Dr. SW, Lakewood, 253.583.5550, lakeshs-jrotc.weebly.com

Mount Tahoma High School, 4634 S. 74th St., Tacoma, 253.571.3800, tacomaschools.org/mt/Pages/JROTC.aspx

Air Force JROTC:

Henry Foss High School, 2112 S. Tyler St., Tacoma, 253.571.7300, tacomaschools.org/foss/Pages/ROTC-News.aspx

Clover Park High School, 11023 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood, 253.583.5500, cloverpark.k12.wa.us/dept/CommunityRelations/HomeStories/2015-16/CPHS_JROTC_May2016.aspx

Bethel High School, 22215 38th Ave. E., Spanaway, 253.683.7000

Washington High School, 12420 Ainsworth Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.298.4700

Navy JROTC:

Curtis High School, 8425 40th St. W., University Place, 253.566.5710, sites.google.com/a/navyjrotc.us/curtis-sr-hs-njrotc/

Spanaway Lake High School, 1305 168th St. E., Spanaway, 253.683.5600

Stadium High School, 111 N. E St., Tacoma, 253.571.3100, facebook.com/StadiumNJROTC/

Marine Corps JROTC:

Woodrow Wilson High School, 1202 N. Orchard St., Tacoma, 253.571.6000

To learn more about the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and what it has to offer, contact the nearest hosting school or check out the JROTC website for the military branch of your choice:

ARMY JROTC: usarmyjrotc.com

NAVY JROTC: njrotc.navy.mil

AIR FORCE: airuniversity.af.mil/Holm-Center/AFJROTC/

MARINE CORPS: mcjrotc.marines.mil