Educator Effectiveness

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Instructors

To:	Superintendents of Schools, Charter School Leaders, Executive Directors of Approved Special Education Private Schools, and Other Interested Parties
From:	Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner
Date:	December 20, 2012

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) has received some inquiries recently regarding the qualifications of instructors in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs. As you may know, JROTC prepares high school students for leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. JROTC teaches young men and women the kind of self discipline, self-confidence, and leadership skills that can help them successfully meet the challenges of adulthood. The instructors of these programs are retired Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel who have satisfied the qualifications and training of their respective military branch. The Department does not offer a JROTC credential nor is any Massachusetts educator license required to be employed in the role of a JROTC instructor, however, the Department does advise districts that they ensure that the instructor does have a proper, active and valid certificate from the respective branch. In addition, the Department recognizes that the JROTC instructor may have the knowledge, skills and abilities to teach a specific content course such as mathematics, science or technology/engineering. Please note that if you do utilize the JROTC instructor to provide instruction in a content course, they must hold the appropriate Department issued educator license. For additional information about JROTC programs, including links to the specific braches, please visit: https://kb.defense.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/513/~/junior-reserve-officer-training-corps-(jrotc)

Last Updated: December 20, 2012