I am a retired US Marine Corps infantry officer who transitioned to teaching as a second career in 2005. I have traveled to over twenty countries conducting contingency, combat, and humanitarian operations. I am the Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI), CT state certified teacher, who co-teaches the Navy JROTC program at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, CT. JROTC programs are focused on character and leadership development and life planning. JROTC programs are federally funded and are a year long academic elective which a student can take for 1,2,3 or 4 years should they choose to do so. Our primary focus is on social and civic learning which compliments a number of the core subject areas. Our students have averaged over 3000 community service hours for the last decade. We are evolving the JROTC program next year into the IB CP: International Baccalaureate Career-related program (for those student-cadets interested) where we are focusing on pathways to service (government, public safety, and humanitarian) related careers. My father was a Marine and my mother was a high school teacher so I have followed in their footsteps.
Note: there are many misconceptions (a military recruiting mechanism, obligatory military service, etc.) about the Junior ROTC programs so if you have any questions please feel free to ask.