JROTC

group of 7 ROTC students in uniform outside of Cook Elementary

About JROTC

Tradition, Innovation, Leadership

Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) is a dynamic and nationally recognized leadership development program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces. At Fort Smith Public Schools, our JROTC program is working to achieve program goals by using a world-class 21st Century, technology-driven, student-centered curriculum.

The FSPS ROTC program, known as the Grizzly Battalion, is hosted at Northside High School and comprises students from both Northside and Southside high schools. Our program is distinguished as one of the only programs in the state to offer such a diverse range of Cadet Command approved activities. These include CyberPatriot, Drill (Color Guard, Honor Guard, Saber Team, Armed/Unarmed Regulation, and Armed/Unarmed Exhibition), JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB), Raider Team, Rifle Team, and Robotics.

The mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to become better citizens. Established in 1916 by the National Defense Act, JROTC has a rich history of preparing young men and women for leadership roles in both military and civilian life. Fort Smith Public Schools' JROTC program, started in 1967 and made available to females in 1977, continues this legacy of excellence, with a growing number of students participating at both Northside and Southside High Schools.

Community Engagement

The JROTC program is deeply engaged in our local community, contributing over 4,000 service learning hours annually. Cadets participate in events such as Wreaths Across America, The Salvation Army Kettle Bell Drive, Night to Shine, local parades, and various other community service initiatives.

5 ROTC students carrying flags down the road in a parade

Winning Tradition

The Grizzly Battalion cadets take pride in a winning tradition, achieving remarkable success in JROTC co-curricular activities. Competing nationally in JLAB and securing state championships in Rifle 19 out of the last 21 years, our cadets consistently demonstrate excellence. The Raider Team and Drill Teams also frequently win or place in their events, while our CyberPatriot Team excels in cyber defense competitions.

Academic Excellence

In addition to their achievements in JROTC activities, our cadets excel academically. More than 30% of our cadets are inducted into the JROTC Honor Society, and many receive scholarships for their academic and leadership excellence.

ROTC Student and adult holding scholarship check

Curriculum

The JROTC curriculum at Fort Smith Public Schools is designed to nurture leadership, citizenship, and critical thinking skills in our students while adhering to national academic standards. Our comprehensive curriculum covers various subjects such as leadership, civics, geography and global awareness, health and wellness, language arts, life skills, and US history.

Key Features

Our curriculum is rooted in the principles of performance-based, learner-centered education, fostering the development of core abilities essential for lifelong success. Every learning experience is designed to address Core Abilities, Program Outcomes, and course Competencies, progressively building upon students' skills and abilities crucial for success in high school and beyond.

Core Abilities

Core Abilities represent the broad, lifelong skills that every cadet requires for success in future life and career endeavors. These abilities are a result of goals and values that drive the JROTC program and are woven into our curriculum. Core abilities include:

Critical thinking techniques
Build your capacity for life-long learning
Effective communication
Good citizenship
Responsibility for your actions and choices
Respectful treatment of self and others

Program Outcomes

Our program outcomes articulate what JROTC cadets will know and be able to do upon successful completion of the program. Evidence of learning can be witnessed through a cadet's portfolio, which will showcase continued development. The program outcomes are:

Act with integrity and personal accountability
Engage in civic and social concerns
Graduate prepared for post-secondary options and career pathways
Make decisions that promote positive social, emotional, and physical health
Value the role of military and service organizations

Course Competencies

Competencies are discipline-specific measurable and observable skills, knowledge, and attitudes targeted in each lesson of our curriculum. These competencies are assessed through performance standards, ensuring mastery of the skills necessary for success. Cadets demonstrate their learning by applying competencies in these tasks:

Decision-making
Skill performance
Perform a service
Problem-solving
Product creation

JROTC Honor Society

The Grizzly Battalion JROTC Honor Society, established in 2015, recognizes the academic excellence of our cadets. Inductees must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good standing in JROTC. Each year, over 60 JROTC student earn the honor of being inducted into the Honor Society. Membership in the Honor Society is a prestigious acknowledgement. Each Wednesday, they are recognized by the yellow cord worn on the left shoulder of their uniform. Honor Society members play a vital role in planning major program events including the military ball and Battalion Organizational Day, showcasing their leadership and dedication to the program.

ROTC male in uniform and female in formal dress

Co-Curricular Activities

Grizzly Batallion Teams

Participation in co-curricular activities is integral to reinforcing classroom learning for our candidates at Fort Smith Public School. Through a diverse array of co-curricular activities, cadets have the opportunity to showcase their mastery of lesson outcomes whiling honoring valuable skills and competencies. Participation in co-curriculars makes cadets more college and career-ready.

Cyber Patriot

CyberPatriot is the premier National Youth Cyber Education Program, created by the Air Force Association, designed to inspire interest among K-12 students for careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields critical to our nation's future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the largest cyber defense contest nationwide, empowering students to safeguard virtual networks. Additional initiatives include CyberCamps, an elementary school cyber education initiative, a children's literature series, and CyperGenerations - a cyber safety initiative aimed at protecting senior citizens online.

Competition Overview

In CyberPatriot’s National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, teams are challenged to find and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities within virtual operating systems. Utilizing a proprietary competition system, teams are scored based on their ability to enhance the system's security. Top-performing teams progress to the online round of competition, with the best then advancing to the in-person National Finals Competition.

During the six-hour competition period, each team faces two challenges:

Network Security Challenge: Teams identify and resolve security vulnerabilities in Windows and Linux operating systems.
Cisco Networking Challenge: This challenge comprises of an online quiz and a virtual networking exercise based on specific training materials.

Drill

Drill is a core aspect of the Grizzly Battalion's curriculum, teaching discipline and leadership. Cadets begin with basic drills and progress as they show skill and leadership potential.

The Drill Team, a marching unit, performs routines based on military drill to cultivate bearing, discipline, and teamwork through training and competition. They showcase skills like discipline, bearing, snap, command, and control, emphasizing synchronization and skill.

Color Guard - presents the flag with precision and respect in various settings. Members practice drill, ceremonies, uniform wearing, and flag etiquette, honoring our nation's flag.
Honor Guard - a ceremonial unit focused on honoring and handling the Nation's colors.
Saber Team - a dedicated group specializing in armed exhibition and regulation saber routines, showcasing precision and excellence reminiscent of the US Air Force.
Regulation Drill - involves learning and performing military movements and counts according to established regulations, focusing on basic marching and facing maneuvers in a platoon formation.
Exhibition Drill - an advanced form of drill where cadets perform intricate marching sequences and rifle maneuvers that go beyond basic regulations.

JLAB

The JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl (JLAB) is a nationally recognized academic competition exclusively for JROTC students. Participation in JLAB cultivates values of citizenship, leadership, academic competition, and college opportunity. Outstanding performance in JLAB can be recognized with awards such as the JLAB Ribbon, acknowledging sustained excellence and honor brought to the unit. Through participation, cadets enhance SAT/ACT scores, deepen knowledge of JROTC, and compete against other teams, covering subjects like ACT/SAT practice, English, science, math coursework, and current events. The benefits of JLAB include improved leadership skills and opportunities to showcase academic and leadership strengths.

Raider

The Raider Competition is a challenging athletic event held in Junior ROTC programs nationwide. It mirrors the Army ROTC "Ranger" competition but with less risk. Raiders compete in teams of 10, which can be all male, all female, or mixed. Events include a long distance team run, rope bridge construction and crossing, tire flipping, cross-country rescue, and the gauntlet or ammo can carry course. These outdoor competitions test individual strength, endurance, teamwork, and first aid skills.

Rifle

The Rifle team competes in marksmanship matches, offering cadets opportunities to earn awards like marksman, sharpshooter, and expert based on their performance. The JROTC National Air Rifle Championship features teams of four competing in a three-position (prone, standing, and kneeling) elimination format. This curriculum allows cadets to develop pride and a sense of accomplishment as they become proficient in marksmanship skills.