JROTC STONES RIVER BRIGADE

COL (Ret) Jeff Gaylord
Director of JROTC 

Rutherford County Schools
2240 Southpark Drive
Murfreesboro, TN 37128

(615) 898-7974 
[email protected]

Twitter: RCS-JROTC

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

About JROTC

Organized under the authority of the 1916 National Defense Act the Rutherford County High Schools' Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (JROTC) program was first established in 1967 at Central High School. In the years since, with approximately 1200 cadets currently enrolled the program has expanded into eight area high schools, with Rockvale High School opening in the 2019-2020 school year.

The mission of the JROTC program is the "Motivate Young People to be Better American Citizens." The JROTC program prepares a student for life, not for the military. A JROTC cadet is under no obligation to join the military. The interest of the JROTC program is simply to give a student the opportunity to develop and improve him or herself. To accomplish this task the program uses military skills to teach self-discipline, selflessness, confidence, teamwork and pride in a job well done. The JROTC is a credited course given during the regular school hours. It teaches a broad spectrum of subjects, including American Military History, government, verbal and written communication, current events, financial planning and wellness. In addition, the program offers extracurricular activities like Drill Team, Color Guard, Air Rifle Team, Raider Team, JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB), and JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC/Summer Camp).

Since 2005, the U.S. Army JROTC program has been accredited as a Special Purpose Program by the national accrediting agency known as AdvancED (www.advanc-ed.org). JROTC curriculum provides equitable and challenging academic content and authentic learning experiences for all Cadets. All lessons are designed using a four part model to motivate the Cadet, allow the Cadet to learn new information, practice competency, and apply the competency to a real-life situation. Moreover, the four part model requires Cadets to collaborate, reflect, develop critical thinking skills, and integrate content with other disciplines. JROTC curriculum includes lessons in leadership, health and wellness, physical fitness, first-aid, geography, American history and government, communications, and emotional intelligence.

The curriculum is rigorous and relevant to 21st century education. In fact, Rutherford County allows credit substitution for Life Time Wellness, Health, (two years)US. Government, and Financial Planning (three years).  Our curriculum meets the standards of Common Core State Standards and aligns with Career and Technical Education clusters.

Perhaps the most important unusual part of the JROTC program is the fact that it does not just teach; it also trains. It trains students in personal skills like studying effectively, taking test, developing winning habits, job interviewing, overcoming fears of failure, and setting goals for themselves. The course also trains cadets in leadership skills like motivating others, making decisions, planning, working as a team member, and problem solving.

The instructors are retired active duty Army officers and non-commissioned officers who are certified by the U.S. Army to teach JROTC. They are employed by the Rutherford County School Board and are full time members of the high school faculty.