JROTC Curriculum

JROTC teaches self-discipline, confidence, and pride in a job well done. It offers students challenges and opportunities to:

• Sharpen communication skills
• Promote and encourage citizenship through participation in community service projects
• Develop leadership potential
• Strengthen self-esteem
• Improve physical fitness
• Provide incentives to live drug-free
• Promote graduation from high school and develop a solid foundation for career development

The JROTC curriculum is divided into seven sections or units. Each unit offers a new opportunity, challenge, and different perspective from which the student can see himself and the world around him.

Unit 1: Citizenship in Action - helps develop new skills the student will need in school and throughout his life. It engages him in the practice of basic citizenship customs and traditions and in the exploration of opportunities for non-military and military national service.

Unit 2: Leadership Theory and Application - teaches the student about leadership. It teaches how to BE a leader, what you need to KNOW when you are influencing others and what you DO when you are leading.

Unit 3: Foundations for Success - designed to provide young cadets with hands-on experiential learning activities that build self-awareness, essential life skills and the ability to set and achieve goals.

Unit 4: Wellness, Fitness, and First Aid - provides training for getting started on total fitness, split-second emergencies, handling common emergencies, and lifesaving measures. There is also training on substance abuse awareness, intervention and prevention. By teaching the value of physical exercise and conditioning, personal hygiene and proper diet through the Cadet Challenge program (Presidential Council on Physical Fitness), a student will feel good about himself both physically and mentally.

Unit 5: Geography, Map Skills and Environmental Awareness - helps cadets develop a global perspective and awareness of environmental issues by engaging them in interactive activities that explore the use of maps, map reading and the sport of orienteering (an outdoor sport using maps to find one’s way from point A to point B).

Unit 6:  Citizenship in History and Government - builds basic skills and interest for participation in civic and political life. Students actively engage in We The People curriculum to explore the origins, structure, rights and responsibilities of the American Constitutional government.

Unit 7:  Air Rifle Safety and Marksmanship – teaches important elements of safety and marksmanship in the use of air rifles.

Cadet success is the main goal of the JROTC learning experience. The focus is on the development of better citizens by building skills in leadership, citizenship, life success, geography, and wellness in a structured interactive environment.

One of the most important traits a cadet develops is his potential to be a leader. Leadership development, provided through formal instruction in JROTC classes and throughout cadet life in the RMA Chain of Command, is a life-long benefit.

Other Programs

JROTC also offers other programs for cadets at Riverside Military Academy. Cadets in the JROTC program are taught social etiquette. Once each year, the JROTC Department conducts either a Military Ball (in which the cadets may escort a date), or a Military Dining-In (a fun event that allows cadets an opportunity to celebrate and look back on their year of training).

Cadets have opportunities to go rappelling, practice rifle marksmanship, and be tested in various areas of physical fitness.

RMA cadets are often invited to participate in parades in Atlanta, GA. The JROTC Color Guard has performed for many companies, grand opening ceremonies, and college graduation ceremonies in the North Georgia area. The Raider team became National Champions in the one-rope-bridge competition in 2011, and the Drill team won the State Drill Championship in 2011. Cadets also have the opportunity to participate in many 5K runs as well as other events sponsored by organizations around North Georgia.

Top Honors

Riverside Military Academy's JROTC program has earned the top honor in its inspections for the last 45 years. The Honor Unit of Distinction (HUD) is awarded to each JROTC school that passes the every third year inspection with a score between 600-1000 points. Cadets are tested by the JROTC command staff from Ft. Stewart, Georgia in the areas of management, drill and ceremony, classroom knowledge, color guard, and a cadet staff briefing. As a HUD school, RMA has the privilege to recommend up to five students to any of the U.S. Military Service Academies for the upcoming school year.