Paul M. Dorman High School

Army JROTC Department

1050 Cavalier Way

Roebuck, South Carolina, 29376

17 August 2015

MEMORANDUM FOR: ALL CADETS, PARENTS, and GUARDIANS

SUBJECT: JROTC Standards of Conduct and Classroom Procedures

1. JROTC CADET HONOR CODE OF CONDUCT: The Dorman JROTC program is an integral part of the DHS academic and social curriculum and is widely respected by faculty, students, parents and the District Six community. Cadets are held to high standards of ethical and moral behavior. All Cadets are expected to abide by an Honor Code of Conduct. Violations of the Code of Conduct may be cause for dismissal from the JROTC program. Violations will be adjudicated by the Instructor and School officials. Our Honor Code of Conduct can be summed up as follows: “A JROTC Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal nor tolerate those who do.” It is the minimum standard of behavior. Cadet behavior is expected to be exemplary throughout the school day and in every location—classroom to lunch room. Leaders always display character, commitment, honor and integrity…and that’s what JROTC instructors try to instill in Cadets.

2. JROTC CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES: Cadets are required to practice military courtesies during class periods, special team practices, and all official JROTC business.

a. Cadet-to-Cadre Communication. Cadets will not interrupt any discussion between adults until acknowledged. When waiting for acknowledgement by an instructor, wait at the “at ease” position. These guidelines apply at all times. When talking to or describing Cadets or Cadre, proper military titles should be used. In all actions, terms of courtesy should be used, such as Please and Thank You.

b. Cadet-to-Cadet Communication. When carrying out duties with other Cadets during JROTC activities, Cadets will use proper military courtesies. If waiting to speak to a senior ranking Cadet, Cadets should wait at the “at ease” position until acknowledged. These guidelines apply at all JROTC activities and anytime JROTC business is being conducted.

c. Ceremonies/Assemblies. JROTC teaches citizenship and fully supports patriotism. When attending patriotic ceremonies and assemblies, Cadets are expected to conduct themselves properly and set an example for those around them. This includes executing proper courtesies, respect, and attention to the patriotic activity. It means no talking, horse-playing, or other disrespectful or disruptive behaviors. Cadets are expected to stand properly and to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in their classes, and are expected to know and demonstrate all other similar courtesies, such as standing during the National Anthem, bowing heads during prayers or invocations, etc.

3. CLASSROOM POLICY: The following policies and procedures are established to maintain good order and discipline in the classroom in order to facilitate learning and minimize distractions. The JROTC classroom policy document supplements the rules found in the Student Handbook.

a. General conduct. All Cadets will be treated with dignity and respect as discussed in the Student Handbook. Violators will be dealt with in accordance with (IAW) school disciplinary procedures.

(1) Possession or use of alcohol or drugs in the classroom is a severe offense. Violators will be dealt with swiftly and severely IAW school disciplinary procedures.

(2) Students will raise their hand and be acknowledge (called upon) before they speak in class…no blurting out. Profanity will not be tolerated in the classroom. Talking (other than normal class participation) or other noises which are disruptive to the class will not be tolerated.

(3) No food, drink, or gum is permitted in the classroom or in formation unless specifically permitted by the instructor.

(4) When not in military uniform, all Cadets will adhere to the student dress code as stated in the Student Handbook.

(5) Cadets will sit erect at their desks or table at all times unless instructed to do otherwise by the instructor. Head down, leaning on elbows, sleeping, etc. is not allowed and may result in disciplinary or administrative action. Cadets are expected to fully participate in all JROTC instructional activities.

(6) Cadets are not allowed in Cadre offices/bathroom, the Arms Room, and the Supply Room without specific permission from the instructor. Cadre desks are considered off-limits at all times! Cadets may enter Cadre offices only by permission and only when the Cadre is present. Only designated Cadets will be allowed to go into the Arms Room and Supply Room for assigned duties (memo will be posted).

b. Attendance. Refer to the DHS Student Planner (Handbook), pages 18-20 for specific guidance on absences and tardiness. This will be strictly enforced in the JROTC classroom. When the bell sounds, the door will be immediately closed. Cadets who arrive after the door is closed are tardy unless they have proper documentation from teachers or administrators with them. In accordance with School policy, Cadets who are more than five (5) minutes tardy without proper documentation will receive disciplinary action (instructor led or administrative referral).

c. Classroom procedures. Cadets should enter the classroom, turn off all electronic devices, place their materials on their desk, properly store their backpacks and stand behind their designated seat until given the command to “take seats.” Cadet leaders will supervise this process and it should become routine after a few days.

(1) Classroom materials. LET workbooks, notebooks, writing instruments and the Student Planner (Handbook) will be removed from the backpack and placed on the table in front of the student’s seat BEFORE the backpack is secured in its designated location. Other reference materials (study guides, military publications, etc.) may be placed on the desk as directed by the instructor. (2) Backpacks and purses. Backpacks will be placed in a designated area at the beginning of every class. The location will be determined by the Cadet leadership. Purses should be secured inside the backpack and then properly stored during instructional time. When leaving the classroom for extended periods of time (such as physical training), Cadets should secure their valuables (cell phones, laptops, wallets, jewelry, etc.). These items should be secured in a car, locker or other location.

(3) Personal electronic devices (PEDs). The possession and use of electronic devices at DHS is covered in the Student Planner. It is a violation of the District Six policy to use any recording devices (including cell phones) to record teachers or students while in school. Students have previously been suspended for such violations. Although PEDs are helpful when conducting classroom research, they are also the greatest distraction for students in the classroom. Therefore, PEDs will be strictly governed in the JROTC classroom. All PEDs (pagers, cell phones, iPhones, iPads, Blackberries, PDAs, Nooks, etc.) WILL BE TURNED OFF AND PROPERLY SECURED inside a Cadet’s backpack before it is stored. If a Cadet’s device creates an audible distraction in the classroom during instruction (buzzing, ringing, playing tunes), whether intentional or not, the Cadet will receive disciplinary action from the instructor. For JROTC purposes, personal electronic devices are not permitted at any formation or at any gathering of multiple JROTC classes, including weekly PT sessions. Use of PEDs will be specifically directed by the Instructor. Storing your cellphone anywhere on your person during class time is a violation of this policy and will result disciplinary action by the instructor.

4. CONTINUATION IN THE JROTC PROGRAM. Because of the Army directed Code of Conduct for Cadets, continuation in JROTC is a privilege and not a right. Continuation in the program requires approval from the Senior Army Instructor. All Instructors may recommend a Cadet for continuation or discontinuation based on demonstrated conduct and behavior. Cadets must demonstrate leadership potential and motivation in order to be granted instructor approval. The following examples of poor leadership actions describe some of the actions that can result in disapproval to continue in JROTC:

a. Failure to wear uniform on required days; failure to wear uniform properly.

b. Failure to dress out/participate in Physical Training.

c. Improper classroom behavior.

d. Disruptive or uncooperative behavior with cadet leadership.

e. Demonstration of lack of motivation or respect for JROTC program (unmotivated, uncooperative, poor uniform wear, improper actions in public).

C.Ray Pettit Jr.

C. Ray Pettit, Jr.

Colonel, US Army (Retired)

Director/Senior Army Instructor

Dorman High School Army JROTC