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Frequently Asked Questions

What is JROTC?

Please visit our JROTC page for more information.

Will my son/daughter have to serve in the military if they join high school JROTC?

No. There is no commitment to serve in the armed forces if a student goes through the high school JROTC program.

This is Air Force JROTC - Will my son/daughter have to serve in the Air Force if they want to enlist in the military after high school?

No. The skills, discipline and patriotism they develop in the Air Force JROTC program will serve them well in any branch of the service and they are free to pursue an enlistment with whatever branch they would like after graduation.

How do I support High School JROTC?

By supporting your cadet and volunteering to support the group. We need volunteers for JROTC activities, chaparones and helpers. Regardless what school your JROTC cadet attends - Central High School, Fossil Ridge High School, Keller High School or Timber Creek High School - there are many things you can do to help out - please visit our volunteer page for more information.

How much does JROTC cost?

Costs for the Keller ISD High School JROTC program are remarkably low. Uniforms and training materials are provided by the program, as are the buses that transport cadets to Central High School (as needed) for classes or to competitions or trips. There is a $25 fee for Summer Leadership School (SLS) in the summer. SLS is a voluntary program. Cadets are expected to pay for dry cleaning their uniforms and provide their own meals at competitions or on trips. Cadets will pay to attend the JROTC Ball; costs vary from year to year for this event.

As you can see, the costs are very reasonable, especially compared to other activities. Students in Keller ISD bands, for example, pay over $500 just in band fees. JROTC is one of the least expensive programs available to Keller ISD high school students.

Many of the cadets' activities are funded through sponsorships and fundraisers - please support these efforts so the cadets can continue to participate in a wide range of great programs.

Why should my high school student join JROTC?

A JROTC cadet

• develops leadership skills and learns the value of team work, respect for authority, patriotism, integrity, character and pride.
• associates with some of the best students in the school. You can't pick a better peer group for your child to be a part of.
• has a lot of fun on the competitions, trips and teams/groups and makes great friends.
• may be eligible for awards and scholarships for their accomplishments.

Based on that, we think the question should be, "why would any high school student NOT join JROTC?"

What are rope trips all about?

A rope trip is an overnight activity where cadets participate in a wide variety of activities that build problem-solving and teamwork skills. The trip is capped off with the cadets having the opportunity to slide down a zipline or climb to the top of a telephone pole and stand on top; both are exhilerating experiences! Cost for a rope trip is $15 per cadet. Check out the photos from a recent rope trip to learn more about these fun activities.

What is BCO all about?

Basic Cadet Orientation (BCO) is a week long course during the summer. Students entering the JROTC program learn basic military commands, customs and courtesies, discipline and procedures. A good portion of BCO is dedicated to marching and drill as well. BCO is not required but it gives new cadets an excellent introduction to the program before the school year starts.

What is a Military Dining Out?

A military dining out is a formal function where cadets and their families and guests meet for a fun evening of tradition and dinner. The cadets wear service dress uniforms with white shirts and a coat and tie is appropriate for guests. Some of the festivities include the presenting of the colors, a speech from a guest speaker and of course, trips to the Grog Bowl for cadets who break the rules of the evening.

What is Orienteering? How do we support the cadets?

Orienteering is a competition where cadets go through the woods using a map and compass and find stations. The cadets work against the clock, trying to complete the course in the shortest amount of time.

It takes a few hours for the meet. They start the event by releasing a few kids at a time, one group per minute, so they are spaced out. Some kids complete the course in an hour and half and some two hours or more.

They do have water at the events but you'll see many of the kids have water packs called Camel Backs. It’s a neat little invention they have at WalMart now. You should also equip your cadet with clothing appropriate for running thru the woods. Some kids show up wearing shorts and t-shirts, but that isn't too smart. The experienced orienteering cadets wear things like military fatigues, or BDUs, or other clothing that protects them as they scramble through the woods and brush.

It's great for parents to go and support the orienteering cadets . . . it’s a little different going to an orienteering meet but the cadets see us there supporting them and it means a lot. Bring a book or your Ipod - You see the kids as they start running into the woods, and then normally you don’t see them again until they are coming out of the woods a couple hours later. You can bring a chair and sit outside, or just sit in your car. If we can get several parents to come to the events, it'd be fun to sit around and talk while we're waiting. Bring a drink and snacks - they've had bathroom facilities at the start/end locations of the meets we've gone to, but not much else. Don't expect concession stands or anything like that.

The students typically report early in the morning. You can follow the bus or just go on your own. If you drive on your own you won't have to leave so early; they typically don't start the course until around 10:00. We encourage you to leave a little driving extra time to find the place. These meets take place out in the middle of nowhere, and it can sometimes be tricky to follow the signs and get there.