Welcome to NJROTC

Welcome to Charlotte High School's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Unit.  NJROTC has been a part of the CHS curriculum since 1973.  Charlotte County Public Schools Lemon Bay and Port Charlotte High School have sister NJROTC units.  The purpose of JROTC is "to instill in students in secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. 

We have physical training on Mondays and Fridays, classroom instruction on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and a uniform inspection day on Thursdays.  

Cadets learn the value of being good citizens both in school and out of school.  We expect our cadets to adhere to all school rules and to set the example in every class.  

Classroom Instruction Topics:

NS1 (first year cadets)

Introduction to the Navy and NJROTC

Citizenship and American Government

Wellness, Fitness, and First Aid

Geography and Survival Skills

NS2 (second year cadets)

Maritime History

Leadership

Nautical Sciences

NS3 (third year cadets)

Naval Knowledge

Leadership

Naval Skills

NS4 (fourth year cadets)

Leadership and Ethics

Physical Fitness:

We test a cadet's physical fitness every quarter in a graded event known as the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) based on the Navy PRT. The physical training we conduct should help them improve their scores and motivate them towards living an active and healthy lifestyle.  While failing the PRT will not mean they fail the class, the cadet should demonstrate effort towards passing the PRT.  Cadets will be provided a pair of Navy issue PT shorts, a Navy issue PT shirt to wear on Monday and a CHS NJROTC PT shirt to wear on Friday.

The PRT consists of three events; 2 minutes of curl-ups (sit-ups), 2 minutes of push-ups, and a one mile run.  For a 15 year old male cadet; he will pass with 47 curl-ups, 30 push-ups and a run time of 8:45.  For a 15 year old female cadet, she will pass with 31 curl-ups, 14 push-ups, and a run time of 11:20. All cadets should strive to do as well as they can.  They can earn ribbons based on their score.  

Uniform Days:

Every cadet will be issued a Navy Service Uniform to wear for uniform days. The cadet is expected to keep it clean and inspection ready.  We also provide oxford shoes that they will need to polish. The inspector will test their knowledge and bearing in addition to the uniform on inspection days.  

Grading:

Classroom citizenship, academics, and testing is worth 33% of the quarter grade, the Physical Readiness Test and physical fitness participation is worth 33%, and uniform inspection and wear is worth 34% of the grade in my NJROTC class.  Cadets must participate in each event.  Cadets unable to participate in physical fitness must have a note from their parents stating that they are to be excused.  

Supply List for NJROTC:

Water Bottle with name clearly marked on the outside for physical training days.

Running shoes in good condition for physical training.*

Activity fee of $30 for all cadets. Checks may be made out to "CHS NJROTC", receipts will be provided.

*CHS can provide athletic shoes for students in need, contact me and I will get them squared away.

Lesson Plans:

Students needing a text book to assist them in completing the homework based on the classroom lesson may sign out a textbook from the class.  

About Major Rankin:

I started working at CHS in 2019 as the Senior Naval Science Instructor.  

I entered the Marine Corps in 1997.  My military occupational specialty was Adjutant which is the only job I know of that requires the ownership of a sword and has their very own march, the "Adjutant's Call".  I joined the Marine Corps because I wanted to serve, but what kept me in was the people, I love Marines.  I actually enjoyed moving every couple of years and had the good fortune of living in Virginia, North Carolina, California, Belgium, Louisiana, Georgia, and Rhode Island.  During my military career, I deployed four times.  My advice to anyone interested in the Marine Corps is to go for it.  People who join the Marine Corps join to be Marines, for us, that is the incentive. The hardest part about the Marine Corps is the first couple months...after that, any day you don't get yelled at is a pretty good day.  My favorite assignment was Executive Officer of the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI; a billet I had no interest in and it turned out to be the most rewarding tour of my life.  The Midshipman and Cadet Candidates in the NAPS Battalion are who motivated me to pursue this "retirement" career with NJROTC.  I am delighted to be here at CHS.

In my spare time; I enjoy long distance bike touring, CrossFit, and the beautiful SWFL weather during snowbird season.

Go Navy! Go Bears! Go NAPS! Go Tarpons!