George C. Marshall JROTC Leadership Symposium

The United States Army Cadet Command, the George C. Marshall Foundation and College Options co-host the annual George C. Marshall JROTC Leadership Symposium, held in 2009 at George Mason University in conjunction with the annual Academic Bowl.  High school students from around the United States attend. 

Using the theme “The Application of the George C. Marshall Principles to My JROTC Unit, School, Community and Life," the Symposium focuses on enhancing the JROTC citizenship mission and addressing key topics based on the principles of leadership, integrity, selfless service and character embraced by General Marshall.  In addition the symposium gives cadets the opportunity to exchange information and establish liaison for future mentorship and leadership opportunities.

The symposium is a blend of plenary sessions and roundtable discussions culminating in student presentations on the key topical subjects as stated in the symposium theme.

The United States Army’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or JROTC, is designed to teach high school students the value of citizenship, leadership, service to the community, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment, while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork, and self discipline. Its focus is reflected in its mission statement, “To motivate young people to be better citizens.” It prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. The program is a stimulus for promoting graduation from high school, and it provides instruction and rewarding opportunities that will benefit the student, community and nation.

The Army JROTC program was created by Congress in 1916 as part of the National Defense Act and expanded under the ROTC Revitalization Act of 1964.  Approximately 270,000 cadets are enrolled in JROTC in 1,645 high schools in the United States, Germany, Italy, Korea, Panama, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and Guam.  The program accomplishes its mission through a curriculum which specifically addresses the importance of remaining drug free and graduating from high school. Among the subjects taught are leadership, citizenship, effective communications, physical fitness, substance abuse prevention, goal setting, team member skills and American military history as it relates to our culture and our future.