Allen High School

MARINE CORPS

SYLLABUS

Program Goals are to:

• Develop leadership and build character.
• Create informed, patriotic, and responsible citizens.
• Develop responsible young men and women who are physically, mentally, and morally fit.
• Develop informed and civic-minded young adults prepared for higher education, civilian careers, and public service.
• Instill discipline, respect, and responsibility through military-related subjects and activities.

Course Length: One to four years.

Course Objective: Leadership Education, more commonly referred to as Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC), is a four-year academic program. Enrollment does not obligate a student to military service. Cadets, however, must accept Marine Corps standards of discipline, appearance and training. MCJROTC is a nationally recognized program that has received accreditation by The Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). The CITA Alliance includes the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-CEMS and SACS-CSMS). It is designed to instill in high school students a value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of ethics and honor.

The primary purpose of the MCJROTC Program is Leadership Education. It prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. In order to be a good leader, one must first learn to be a good follower. As a Cadet gains experience and knowledge, they will be given active, hands-on leadership responsibilities within the MCJROTC program.

The MCJROTC Leadership Education Program emphasizes the development of self-discipline, leadership, honor, integrity, and the value of community service. Citizenship training is emphasized throughout the program and reinforced with involvement in community service throughout the Allen community and Allen High School. In addition, students are acquainted with basic military subjects and Marine Corps traditions, customs, and courtesies.

The success each student achieves while in the MCJROTC Program depends to a large extent on their willingness to get involved and participate in the program. Satisfactory performance within the program will result in the cadet receiving passing grades during the academic reporting period. However, since the MCJROTC Program is structured to function much like a military organization, there will also be opportunities for cadets to develop leadership skills and to progress in rank. Promotions, especially those to the senior enlisted and officer rank, are based on a cadet’s overall performance and their demonstrated capability to assume greater responsibility. A great deal is expected from the cadets promoted to leadership positions. Cadets who accept top-level promotions also accept the additional duties and responsibilities that go along with the promotion. Conversely, top-level promotions may be rescinded if a cadet, once promoted and assigned to a leadership position, demonstrates that he/she is incapable or unwilling to put forth the time and effort to successfully meet the obligations of the grade and billet assigned.

The Allen High School Marine Corps JROTC Program is in search of top students who excel both academically and athletically to ensure that a high caliber of leadership is maintained within the program. Cadets who bear the responsibility and extra work required by a position of leadership will be graded at the Pre-AP level (4.5). We strongly feel that the MCJROTC Program is a complement to the leadership development of honor students and athletes as well as service clubs and organizations within Allen High School.

Satisfactory completion of the program can lead to preferential consideration for a service academy appointment, advanced placement credit in the Senior ROTC program, or advanced rank in the Armed Forces. The MCJROTC program is one of the Marine Corps’ contributions to assisting America’s youth to become better citizens and future leaders of America. The program produces successful students and productive adults, while fostering in each school a more constructive and disciplined learning environment. This program makes substantial contributions to many communities and ultimately to the nation’s future. It is the centerpiece of the Department of Defense’s commitment to America’s Promise for Youth through its emphasis on community service and teen anti-drug efforts.

Course Prerequisites:

• LE I - completion of the eighth grade and enrolled in Allen HS.
• LE II- completion of LE-I core requirements
• LE-III- completion of LE-II core requirements
• LE-IV - completion of LE-III core requirements and recommended by the Senior Marine Instructor.

Course Requirements: 

• All Cadets will be required to adhere to Marine Corps JROTC Cadet grooming standards while enrolled in the program.
• The Cadet MCJROTC uniform will be worn at least one day each week. It must be clean and present a professional appearance.
• All Cadets are required to stand weekly uniform inspections.  The majority of these inspections will be conducted by other Cadets in positions of leadership.
• As almost all of the MCJROTC curriculum is accessed through Canvas, Skyward, and other web-based platforms, all Cadets must be allowed access to technology.
  
• As a symbol of school spirit, MCJRTOC Cadets have a reserved seating section in the stadium at all home football games.  Attendance at home games is mandatory.

Late or Missing Assignments

No assignments will be accepted past their due dates.

In the case of missing assignments, only "alternate assignments" will be accepted.  These alternate assignments will always be in the form of a class presentation on the subject of the original missing assignment, and will be graded on a scale of 0-70 points.  Alternate assignment presentations will not take priority during regular class periods.  If there is time remaining at the end of class, these presentations may be given at that time.  Otherwise, alternate assignment presentations will be delivered during Admin Stand Down weeks.

Grading Scale

Grades are based on the following scale: A is 90-100; B is 80-89; C is 70-79; F is 69 and below. Failing Work is defined as assignment, quizzes, or projects receiving a "69" or below.

Grading Make-up Work Due to Absence

The majority of gradable assignments in MCJROTC are performed through Canvas.  These assignments and associated quizzes are designed to be accessible remotely and completed independently by Cadets if circumstances require it.  Most assignments can be completed in a single class period, though each assignment is accessible for completion for 7 days after being assigned.  Make-up work should not be an issue, but in the event of an illness or injury that takes a Cadet out of school for an extended period, reasonable accommodations will be made to allow the Cadet to complete the required course material.  

Cadet Physical Assessment (CPA)

All Cadets are required to participate in physical training as a unit, and undergo an individual physical assessment twice each year to determine the effectiveness of that training.

Participation in Physical Fitness Activities

Cadets who ask to be excused from Physical Training must produce a doctor's note requesting the non-participation. If a Cadet becomes ill during the school day, that Cadet must go to the nurse's office to be evaluated. Cadets are allowed to miss only five Physical Training days with a Doctor/Parent note when MCJROTC is the only affected subject/class. Thereafter, "zeros" will be awarded to that Cadet for each Physical Training day not participated in until the end of that semester.

Uniforms

Male and Female cadets will be issued uniforms identified in the uniform cost list. Costs of replacement and cleaning are also noted. Uniforms are to be maintained in a clean and serviceable condition. Upon termination in the program, all uniforms will be returned dry-cleaned and in serviceable condition. Restitution will be made to Allen High School MCJROTC in the event that a uniform article is lost, or presented unserviceable due to negligence. Uniforms that are returned unclean will also require restitution for the dry-cleaning bill.

Failure to Wear Uniform on Prescribed Day

Cadets are required to wear their uniforms for one entire school day each week.  Cadets are allowed "uniform amnesty" only two times during each grading period.  After the second amnesty, a disciplinary referral will be submitted resulting in a one-hour school detention. ISS may be awarded based upon the school's discipline policy regarding the number of discipline referrals written during a grading period.

Scholarship Opportunities

There are many benefits to the program. The most obvious is the leadership training. The self-confidence and discipline obtained will give the cadet a decided advantage, not only in high school, but in college, the job market, or if desired, when joining the military service. Some specific advantages are:

• ROTC COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS- Chances for obtaining a college ROTC scholarship, worth approximately $250,000 are improved if a student has had MCJROTC. In addition, colleges may also give ROTC credit for MCJROTC, reducing the overall requirement for graduation.
• AMERICAN LEGION SCHOLARSHIP - Two college bound cadets will be selected upon successful completion and the recommendations of the Marine Instructors, worth $750.
• NAVAL ACADEMY NOMINATIONS- Each Senior Marine Instructor of the MCJROTC unit is allowed to nominate outstanding cadets for appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. This privilege allows a cadet to circumvent competition with civilian applicants for the limited number of congressional appointments.
• HIGHER RANK FOR ENLISTMENT- If a cadet decides to enlist directly into the armed forces following high school graduation, he or she enters at a higher rank by virtue of having completed at least three years of MCJROTC.

We treat all MCJROTC cadets with the utmost respect and dignity. In turn, cadets must make every effort to conduct themselves in a manner so as not to bring discredit upon themselves, their families, Allen ISD, or to the MCJROTC Program. If you have any questions regarding the program, please feel free to contact a Marine Instructor.

MCJROTC Extre-Curricular Activities and Lettering Opportunities

There are also extra-curricular opportunities that will further develop, in a practical sense, those leadership skill sets learned in the classroom. Extra-curricular involvement in Marksmanship teams, Color Guard & Drill Teams, and Physical Fitness Teams also provide each cadet the opportunity to earn a letter in MCJROTC.  Those Cadets who demonstrate a high degree of participation and leadership have the opportunity to earn a letter jacket after completing a year in the MCJROTC program.  During that year, the Cadet must have competed in at least two competitions on any competitive team or served the entire football season as a member of the "A-Crew"; and completed at least 60 community service hours verified through X2Vol.  The Letter Jacket, Letter, and one MCJROTC shoulder patch will be provided by the MCJROTC program.  Any additional patches or decorations will be the financial responsibility of the Cadet.

Honor Cords for Graduating Seniors

Senior Cadets who distinguish themselves by filling an Officer's billet, maintaining an A average in JROTC, and averaging at least 25 community service hours for each year spent in the JROTC program, will be honored with a unique Cord to wear with their cap and gown during graduation.  The cords are paid for by the JROTC program and can be kept by the students.

Community Service and Support to Allen High School: Cadets are required to perform community service in order to advance in the program.  Promotions and awards all have a requirement of giving to the school and the community in their form of community service. 

Summary: The MCJROTC curriculum is an excellent tool to reinforce the character development that begins at home and the leadership skills required in the world. Additionally, Cadets are able to develop a basic understanding for the importance of community service. Strong emphasis is placed on respecting others and learning excellent leadership skills. Conceptual mastery of the traits and principles of leadership will be evaluated academically in the classroom. The character development and practical leadership skill development are enhanced by participation in those extracurricular opportunities outlined above. We encourage all parents to support their student in every way possible to ensure that they get the full benefit of the MCJROTC experience.

Uniforms are provided at no cost to the Cadets.  However, if these uniforms are lost or damaged at the fault of the Cadet, he/she will bear the expense of replacing the uniform item(s).  Uniform costs are provided below: