Ooltewah High School
Syllabus
JROTC LET I
2017-2018
Instructors: Major Paul E. Dean, CW4 David B. Fleming and 1SG Michael K. McCullough
emails: ; ;
Contact Number: JROTC Office - (423) 238-5682; (423) 238-5221, ext 2328
School Contact Number: (423) 238-5221
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Leadership, Foundations for Success and Character Development. This course includes classroom instruction and leadership laboratory instruction in the Army JROTC Foundations for Success curriculum. Additionally, it covers the development of basic leadership skills to include leadership principles, values and attributes. The development of core skill set necessary for high school success, active learning strategies, an appreciation for diversity, improved oral and written communications skills are the primary goals of the first year of the JROTC Program. The performance standards in this course are based on the performance standards identified in the curriculum for the US Army JROTC which are aligned with the appropriate Tennessee standards. This course will provide a firm foundation for moving into adulthood and the life skills needed to be successful. Cadetswill also learn the fundamentals of good health associated with proper diet and exercise. Cadets will participate in the President's PhysicalFitness Program as well as be required to demonstrate proficiency inbasicFirst Aid & Lifesaving techniques and learn the importance of avoiding & preventing substance abuse.
Core Abilities:The JROTC core abilities describe the broad, life-long skills that every cadet needs for success in all career and life roles. They are drawn from the overall goals and values that drive the JROTC Program. Core abilities are not learned in one lesson or Leadership Education Training (LET) course, but rather they are linked to lesson competencies in order to integrate or thread them throughout the JROTC curriculum. In each lesson, the core abilities will be introduced, taught, reinforced and assessed. Every student should know all of the core abilities as they are essential, value-added skills that every employer seeks. The core abilities are:
a. Take responsibility for your actions and choices
b. Apply critical thinking techniques
c. Communicate using verbal, non-verbal, visual, and written techniques
d. Build your capacity for life-long learning
e. Do your share as a good citizen in your school, community, country and the world
f. Treat self and others with respect
Class Materials: Each cadet will be required to bring in a 1" white, three ring binder for the cadet's individual portfolio. Additionally, each cadet will have a 70 page, college-ruled, spiral notebook for each day's activities. Each cadet will be expected to bring the following items to class each day: a pen or pencil, any assignments due for the day, and their spiral notebook.
Cadet Portfolio:Every cadet will create a portfolio that contains an organized collection of work based on accomplishments, personality, and aspirationsalong with a comprehensive plan to attend a post-high school education institution (trade school, community college or university), employment or military service. The portfolio will begin upon entry in the JROTC Program and be maintained for the duration of enrollment in the program. The portfolio will reflect the student’s class work and provide insight and information on the cadet’s personal achievements and growth over time. Cadets will maintain their portfolios as required by Hamilton County Army JROTC Standard Operating Procedures.
Distance Learning: Cadets will be introduced to the free onlineACT/SAT Self-Paced Preparation program called "March2 Success" (https://www.march2success.com).Cadets are strongly encouraged to establish a UserID and Password for the March 2 Success program and are to make full use of this very important standardized test preparation tool.
Cadets are also introduced to online JROTC Distance Learning lessons. These online lessons are also free...Cadets simply sign-on and create their own user ID and password. Cadets are to document their completion of lessons AND place their certificates of completion in their portfolios maintained in the classroom.
Effort: The online component of our curriculum is all about "effort"...the effort required to satisfy the "personal responsibility" associated with assigned work requirements. And yes, along academic lines, the further a student progresses in these two online courses the stronger academically they will be. However, JROTC equally rewards efforts made to accomplish all assigned missions. Cadets will be promoted in the JROTC Program based on many factors and their academic status at OHS is a critical element of qualifying for promotion. But effort...making a consistent effort is a trait that says a lot about the quality of a person's character. And good character is everything!
Course prerequisites: None
Selection for Promotion & AppointmentTo Leadership Positions: Selection for promotion to a higher rank and/or selection to a leadership position of increased responsibility is a multi-faceted process based on Cadet performance, grades in all academic classes. Physical Training (PT) participation and PT test scores, knowledge/commitment to JROTC, appearance before a promotion board and supported by a recommendation from the Cadet Chain of Command. Needs of the organizationand approval by the JROTC Instructor Staff are integral components of the process. Standards for promotion are clearly articulated in the Cadet Battalion Standard Operating Procedure. Additionally, selection for promotion to Cadet NCO or Officer ranks involves the Cadet voluntarily appearing before a Board of Cadets (held at the end of the first term)to demonstrate knowledge and mastery of JROTC topics as well as desire to assume a position of increased responsibility.
In general, first year Cadets can expect to compete for the ranks of Cadet Private, Private First Class and Corporal with by-exception promotion to a higher rank.Cadet talent and commitment to JROTC, coupled with the needs of the CadetBattalion, may well cause an adjustment to the above standard template for promotion and leadership position selection.
Your Word Is Your Bond: Let your yes be yes and your no be no! JROTC is a leadership development program and to lead others effectively your "word" must be of great value. In JROTC, saying something like "I will take-on that responsibility", "I will be there for Color Guard duty", "I will take care of that" or "I will get that permission slip signed and turned in"...means you will do what you say. The Owl Battalion is a Cadet-run organization and your fellow Cadets (students just like you) do not have time for any lack of honesty regarding what people say they will or will not do. So, always remember that...Your Word Is Your Bond.
Academic Standards: The JROTC curriculum is based upon a systematic progression of learning. The scope, focus and content of instruction are each sequential and independent. The leadership unit of instruction allows for one of many training opportunities for cadets to exercise a student chain of command. Fourth year cadets act on guidance from the Senior Army Instructor or Army Instructor to plan, prepare, and execute training and prepare for assigned tasks and conduct training for younger cadets. Third year cadets learn instructional techniques, and more advanced styles of leadership. First and second year Cadets receive education and training. Training is designed to enhance skills, knowledge, and abilities, of Cadets and reinforce instruction in leadership theory.
Cadets selected for positions of leadership and/or members of a JROTC team (drill, marksmanship, academic, etc.,) must maintain a C or better average in each course taken at OHS (each course that appears on the student’s semester grade card). Positions of leadership include commanders, executive officers and primary/assistant staff officers. If at any time during the semester any grade in any class falls below a C average, the Cadet is required to report the problem to the Instructor Staff and develop a plan of self-remediation.
Homework: Cadets can expect one or two homework assignments each week. This will usually be a reading assignment with a short written component to reflect on what has been read. The Cadet will have ample time to complete the assignment.
It is the Cadet’s responsibility to submit work on time. If you have difficulty on an assignment and need additional help, instructors will be available in the JROTC office before and after school. There will also be students who have already mastered a task prepared to assist and mentor students who may be having difficulty. Written and oral assignments will be graded according to a rubric that will be given to you when you receive the assignment. After work is graded it will be returned and will be placed in your Cadet portfolio that is maintained in the classroom.
Edmodo and/or Google Classroom: Cadets will be required to establish an account and to use the online collaboration tool regularly. Assignments, course materials and some assessments will be posted to the Edmodo/Classroom by block (Company) and grade level. Parents will have read access to their Cadet’s Edmodo account.
Late work/ Makeup Work: Students will be given an opportunity to recover any class and/or homework assignment for full credit with a specified timeframe. Work not submitted within the specified timeframe will receive a zero (0) and cannot be made up. Work assignments are posted so students know what work is due and on what day. Students should be able to demonstrate mastery of the concepts, skills, and/or content in order to receive a passing grade either through completing the work or through a variety of assessment practices (test, project, essay, etc...)
Remediation: If you do not do well on an assignment, you will be given the opportunity to re-do the work according to standard. The instructor staff is always ready to give additional help if you ask for it. This remediation policy applies only to WORK TURNED IN ON TIME!
JROTC Curriculum & OHS Graduation Requirements: Each semester of JROTC satisfies one elective requirement for graduation. Two semesters of JROTC satisfies the core graduation requirement for Health/Wellness. In certain circumstances, additional semesters of JROTC can also satisfy the graduation requirement for Personal Finance, Physical Education and U.S. Government.
Participation:Class attendance contributes significantly to academic success. Students who attend classes regularly tend to earn higher grades and have higher passing rates in courses. If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for all missed work and for contacting the instructor promptly.
Participation is expected in a few after school activities throughout the year. These activities include the OHS September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, Ooltewah-Collegedale Christmas Parade, the Annual Military Ball and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Armed Forces Day Parade.
Community Service activities are an integral part of JROTC. There will be multiple opportunities for Cadets to support the Hamilton County area with volunteer activities. Commitment on your part to further the OHS JROTC community service tradition is the key to success.
Extra Credit: Occasionally there will be opportunities to earn extra credit. Do not depend on
this to pass the class. Wear the uniform properly, do your daily work on time, participate in physical training and you will have no problem passing the class.
Parent Conferences: Instructors are available before and after school and during planning periods for parent conferences. This being said, we do understand work schedules and I will accommodate parents' schedules.
Timely Departure after a JROTC Activity: Cadets have a specific responsibility to depart after school activities in a timely manner; key is that respective parents/guardians are available to pick up their Cadet at the appointed time. Violation of this places the Cadet at risk of not participating in future activities.
Dis-enrollment from JROTC: Students may be dis-enrolled from JROTC if they:
a. Withdraw from school
b. Demonstrate ineptitude for leadership training indicated by a general lack of adaptability
c. Fail to keep an acceptable standard of academic achievement, conduct, appearance, or attendance
d. Exhibit undesirable character traits such as lying, cheating or stealing, unauthorized possession of illegal drugs or substances, or exhibit an indifference to and lack of interest in citizenship and leadership training.
Grooming Standards & Wearing of Uniform:
Required standards are discussed in complete detail in the OHS Battalion Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
A Typical JROTC Class Week: A typical week in a JROTC class will consist of an academic, leadership laboratory and physical training component.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: These days will be used to cover the academic core elements of the JROTC curriculum. Assessments will normally be given during this timeframe.
Wednesday and Friday:Physical Training and leadership skills.
Lesson Outline by Academic Week:
1st/2nd Quarters: Theme: Foundations for Success
Weeks 1-18:
Week 1: Welcome to the Owl Battalion
a. Personal Data Sheet, Computer Access Form (In Class)
b. Privacy Act Statement, Cadet Health Questionnaire (Take Home Assignments)
c. Syllabus, Class Rules, Supply requirements (Take Home Assignment)
d. Army JROTC U1C1L1
Week 2: Goal Setting (Cadet Textbook – Chapter 10, pg. 340-344)
a. Graduation Requirements (Four Year Plan Work Sheet)
b. Goal Setting Exercises (In Class Handouts)
c. QBOL Stepping Stones to Success U3C1L5 (Cadet Workbook – pg. 129-134)
Week 3: Goal Setting (Focus on Literacy and Critical Thinking)
a. Walter Williams' "Is College Worth It?" (Take Home Assignment)
b. "Is It Still Worth Going to College?"
c. “What’s Your Goal in Life?”
d. Class Reunion Assignment (In Class Handout)
Week 4-5: Self-Awareness The Winning Colors System (Cadet Textbook, Chapter One)
a. Winning Colors (Cadet Workbook pg. 97, 101)
b. Success Profiler\Personal Skills Map (In Class)
c. Personal Growth Plan (Cadet Workbook, pg. 118)
d. Personal Ad (pg. 112, Cadet Workbook)
e. Appreciating Diversity through Winning Colors (Cadet Workbook, pg. 113-114)
f. QBOL Stepping Stones to Success (Cadet Workbook – pg. 129-134)
Week 6: The Decision Making Process (Cadet Textbook pg. 333-339)
a. The "F-I-N-D-S" System (In Class Handout, pg. 254 Cadet Workbook)
b. Problem Solving (Problem Solving Matrix Assignment)
c. Career Planning Assignment (Rubric Assignment)
d. 9th Grade Action Plan (Rubric Assignment)
e. QBOL Stepping Stones to Success (Cadet Workbook – pg. 129-134)
Week 7: Brain Based Learning (Cadet Text, Chapter 2, 28-52)
a. Brain Structure and Function (Brain Summary; Cadet Workbook, pg. 139,
145,147, 148)
b. Brain Rules
c. Brain Rules Videos
d. How to become a Brain Friendly Learner