A History of the Army JROTC Program
The United States Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) came into being with the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916. Under the provisions of the Act, high schools were authorized the loan of federal military equipment and the assignment of active duty military personnel as instructors. In 1964, the Vitalization Act opened JROTC up to the other services and replaced most of the active duty instructors with retirees who worked for and were cost shared by the schools.
Title 10 of the U.S. Code declares that "the purpose of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment."
The JROTC Program has changed greatly over the years. Once looked upon primarily as a source of enlisted recruits and officer candidates, it became a citizenship program devoted to the moral, physical and educational uplift of American youth. Although the program retained its military structure and the resultant ability to infuse in its student cadets a sense of discipline and order, it shed most of its early military content.
The study of ethics, citizenship, communications, leadership, life skills and other subjects designed to prepare young men and woman to take their place in adult society, evolved as the core of the program. More recently, an improved student centered curriculum focusing on character building and civic responsibility is being presented in every JROTC classroom.
JROTC is a continuing success story. From a modest beginning of 6 units in 1916, JROTC has expanded to 1645 schools today and to every state in the nation and American schools overseas. Cadet enrollment has grown to 281,000 cadets with 4,000 professional instructors in the classrooms. Comprised solely of active duty Army retirees, the JROTC instructors serve as mentors developing the outstanding young citizens of our country.
Title 10 of the U.S. Code declares that "the purpose of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment."
The JROTC Program has changed greatly over the years. Once looked upon primarily as a source of enlisted recruits and officer candidates, it became a citizenship program devoted to the moral, physical and educational uplift of American youth. Although the program retained its military structure and the resultant ability to infuse in its student cadets a sense of discipline and order, it shed most of its early military content.
The study of ethics, citizenship, communications, leadership, life skills and other subjects designed to prepare young men and woman to take their place in adult society, evolved as the core of the program. More recently, an improved student centered curriculum focusing on character building and civic responsibility is being presented in every JROTC classroom.
JROTC is a continuing success story. From a modest beginning of 6 units in 1916, JROTC has expanded to 1645 schools today and to every state in the nation and American schools overseas. Cadet enrollment has grown to 281,000 cadets with 4,000 professional instructors in the classrooms. Comprised solely of active duty Army retirees, the JROTC instructors serve as mentors developing the outstanding young citizens of our country.
A History of the Hug High School JROTC Program
The Procter R. Hug High School Army ROTC Battalion was established simultaneously with the opening of the high school in September of 1968.
The training program in the earlier days consisted of a variety of subjects, primarily physical conditioning and drill. Today less than half of the instructional time is devoted to drill. The entire program is well balanced between drill on the parade field and classroom instruction, which is in strict conformity to the Department of the Army training guidance. Today's program emphasizes leadership development, competition, and campus and community involvement with the goal of better equipping the students/cadets for leadership challenges in all walks of life.
Very little substantial information is known about the "Hawks Battalion" prior to the 1977 due to an absence of record keeping. The battalion really seemed to mature and come into it's own with the arrival of LTC(Ret) Semmens who energized the battalion and gave it direction and purpose. What we do know is that Hug's standard's have been set very high. The first Brigade Commander was from Hug High School and since that first assignment Hug High has provided the majority of the Brigade Commanders.
During the school year 1981-1982 a satellite program was started at Gerlach, Nevada, with responsibility given to the proven leadership of the "Hawk's Battalion". The advent of the Gerlach Detachment was the initial justification for the third instructor at Hug High School. However, since that first year, Hug's opening enrollment alone has been sufficient to justify the third instructor. The "Hawk's Battalion" fielded the first state Varsity Rifle Team under the excellent coaching of CSM Klinger. The rifle team was state champions two years in a row and since the arrival of CSM Klinger has continued to be a strong competitor.
The battalion takes great pride in being both innovative and trend setting. During the school year 85-86, due to the urging of CSM Klinger and the support of LTC Semmends both an NCO Academy and an Officer Candidate School were established as a part of the "Hawk's Battalion's" ongoing quest for excellence. The NCO and Officer Candidate schools were terminated in SY 2004-05 because excellent leaders were unable to attend the courses and it restricted the ability of some to advance in our program. In school year 89-90 the battalion again broke new ground by instituting, with the assistance of Mr. Whellams, the Vice-Principal, a special period for all of the extra-curricular activities/teams. What was unique was that now cadets could earn full academic credits for their extra effort. This program has since been canceled untill recently reinstated by SFC Claymore during the 2010-2011 school year.
"The "Hawks Battalion" has earned the coveted designation of the HONOR UNIT WITH DISTINCTION, the GOLD STAR, on a continuous basis and expects to retain this honor throughout the Battalion's proud history. During the Annual Formal Inspection of school year 81-82, the battalion earned a perfect 100 percent. This was the FIRST in Fourth ROTC Region although other battalions have since done so. During the school year 88-89, during an "Off Year" Inspection, the battalion again achieved a perfect 100 percent.
The Hug High School JROTC Program has soared to new heights. During the 2009-2010 School year the "Hawk's Battalion" broke new ground by officially becoming the "Hawks Regiment". The Hawks corps of cadets will continue to soar to new heights, and in doing so will leave a legacy that will make future leaders reach for the stars.
The training program in the earlier days consisted of a variety of subjects, primarily physical conditioning and drill. Today less than half of the instructional time is devoted to drill. The entire program is well balanced between drill on the parade field and classroom instruction, which is in strict conformity to the Department of the Army training guidance. Today's program emphasizes leadership development, competition, and campus and community involvement with the goal of better equipping the students/cadets for leadership challenges in all walks of life.
Very little substantial information is known about the "Hawks Battalion" prior to the 1977 due to an absence of record keeping. The battalion really seemed to mature and come into it's own with the arrival of LTC(Ret) Semmens who energized the battalion and gave it direction and purpose. What we do know is that Hug's standard's have been set very high. The first Brigade Commander was from Hug High School and since that first assignment Hug High has provided the majority of the Brigade Commanders.
During the school year 1981-1982 a satellite program was started at Gerlach, Nevada, with responsibility given to the proven leadership of the "Hawk's Battalion". The advent of the Gerlach Detachment was the initial justification for the third instructor at Hug High School. However, since that first year, Hug's opening enrollment alone has been sufficient to justify the third instructor. The "Hawk's Battalion" fielded the first state Varsity Rifle Team under the excellent coaching of CSM Klinger. The rifle team was state champions two years in a row and since the arrival of CSM Klinger has continued to be a strong competitor.
The battalion takes great pride in being both innovative and trend setting. During the school year 85-86, due to the urging of CSM Klinger and the support of LTC Semmends both an NCO Academy and an Officer Candidate School were established as a part of the "Hawk's Battalion's" ongoing quest for excellence. The NCO and Officer Candidate schools were terminated in SY 2004-05 because excellent leaders were unable to attend the courses and it restricted the ability of some to advance in our program. In school year 89-90 the battalion again broke new ground by instituting, with the assistance of Mr. Whellams, the Vice-Principal, a special period for all of the extra-curricular activities/teams. What was unique was that now cadets could earn full academic credits for their extra effort. This program has since been canceled untill recently reinstated by SFC Claymore during the 2010-2011 school year.
"The "Hawks Battalion" has earned the coveted designation of the HONOR UNIT WITH DISTINCTION, the GOLD STAR, on a continuous basis and expects to retain this honor throughout the Battalion's proud history. During the Annual Formal Inspection of school year 81-82, the battalion earned a perfect 100 percent. This was the FIRST in Fourth ROTC Region although other battalions have since done so. During the school year 88-89, during an "Off Year" Inspection, the battalion again achieved a perfect 100 percent.
The Hug High School JROTC Program has soared to new heights. During the 2009-2010 School year the "Hawk's Battalion" broke new ground by officially becoming the "Hawks Regiment". The Hawks corps of cadets will continue to soar to new heights, and in doing so will leave a legacy that will make future leaders reach for the stars.