George C. Marshall JROTC Leadership Symposium

The United States Army Cadet Command and the George C. Marshall Foundation teamed up to host the second George C. Marshall JROTC Leadership Symposium October 11-15, 2006 in Lexington, Virginia. Utilizing the campus of the Washington and Lee University and the post of the Virginia Military Institute, the symposium hosted more than 200 high school seniors, chaperones and cadre from JROTC units in the United States and Department of Defense Schools world wide.

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.

Using the theme “The Application of the George C. Marshall Principles to My JROTC Unit, School, Community and Life”, the 2006 Symposium will focus on the goal of enhancing the JROTC citizenship mission and addressing key topics based on the principles of leadership, integrity, selfless service and character as emphasized by General George C. Marshall. In addition the symposium will give the cadets the opportunity to exchange information and establish liaison for future mentorship and leadership opportunities.

The symposium blends plenary sessions and facilitated roundtable discussions, culminating in student presentations on the key subjects as stated by the symposium theme.

For further information concerning the JROTC Leadership Symposium and related or upcoming events, contact the Foundation Vice President for Programs COL (Ret) Robert James at (540) 463-7103, ext 127 or email at jamesrb@marshallfoundation.org.