R O T C G U I D E
THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE WORLD WARS
October 2000
BACKGROUND
The first World War spawned the organization that grew into the Military
Order of the World Wars (MOWW). This association developed, as its main objectives, nine
precepts set forth in the Preamble and a dedication to continue to serve our great nation.
The same war also dispelled forever the concept that the corps of officers of the Armed
Services of the United States could be sustained by the military academies and augmented
by military universities such as Virginia Military Institute, the Citadel, and
agricultural and military colleges. The solution that evolved was the Reserve Officers
Training Corps (ROTC) established in civilian universities.
HISTORY
The ROTC program consists of two elements: the Senior ROTC (University) program and the Junior ROTC (High School) program. Historically the ROTC began in 1862 when Congress passed the Morrill Act. This act provided grants of land for educational institutions which would include among other things, military science as a branch of learning. A subsequent act in 1888, provided assistance to universities, colleges, and high schools in the form of land grants, buildings, assignment of officers and non-commissioned officers and the loan of necessary equipment to conduct the program.
Suspended in 1918, the ROTC program was reestablished in the universities in 1920 and for all intents and purposes, actually began in high schools in 1919, in accordance with the National Defense Act of 1916. The first JROTC was initiated by Army First Lieutenant Edger R. Steevers. After the ROTC Revitalization Act of 1964 was passed by the Congress, JROTC units were established by all branches of the services. In 1974 females were authorized to participate.
Economic pressures threatened the program in 1989. The MOWW National ROTC Chairman went to "General Quarters" with his committee and the extensive lobbying which followed was instrumental in maintaining the program. Early in the 1990s The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell, re-emphasized the concept of the JROTC and the program expanded. A new variation, the JROTC Career Academy, was introduced to develop the program within inner cities to provide an alternative for students in conjunction with vocational training. This program is jointly sponsored by the Departments of Defense and Education. It provides an effective deterrent from gang membership and unlawful behavior.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of MOWW's involvement with ROTC is to ensure the encouragement and support of all ROTC Units by Chapters of the MOWW, and secondly to assist the service ROTC commands in establishing and maintaining ROTC throughout the United States, its territories, and overseas units.The Military Order of the World Wars is vitally concerned in the well-being of ROTC due to its major importance as a developer of good citizenship and as a continuing source of officers to the Armed Forces. It is critical to a well balanced force to draw officers from varied sources.
This ROTC Guide provides general guidance to develop an effective program at the chapter level, informs of policies established at the national level, and provides ideas to stimulate the most effective support of ROTC by MOWW.
CONCEPT
As in most matters relating to the Military Order, the Chapter is the
prime mover and exercises primary control. The Headquarters sets the general policy and
provides support and oversight to the Chapters as required.
ORGANIZATION
The Commander-in-Chief, assisted by the Headquarters Staff, is responsible for the program. The CINC appoints a National Chairman of the ROTC Committee who, with the committee, manages the program under the oversight of a Vice- CINC and a GSO. Ideally the committee is organized in such a manner that each member is assigned regional responsibility and direct liaison with region and chapter commanders. Each chapter commander should appoint a chapter ROTC chairperson who has responsibility to efficiently manage the program. Chapters may also appoint ROTC committees.
IMPLEMENTATION
It is recommended that each chapter establish an outline schedule for ROTC responsibilities, see Annex B for a sample. The first step is to establish liaison with each senior ROTC/JROTC instructor. There is no substitute for personal contact! This visit should be the occasion to discuss how the chapter will support ROTC and to solicit the desires and needs of the unit. The next step is to invite the senior instructor to a chapter meeting to become acquainted with the companions. An invitation to become a member is appropriate at this time but should not appear as a condition of support. Step three is to invite cadets to meetings. This can be done one or two at a time or to invite a large number to a single meeting dedicated to ROTC. Inviting ROTC color guards to participate at your meetings is another good way to establish rapport between companions and cadets. The scope of chapter support is only limited by the desire of the companions to participate. They provide a source of vast and varied experience in all aspects of military life and can contribute as guest speakers in areas of their expertise: drill instruction, etiquette, marksmanship, leadership, military customs, and ethics to name a few. Suggested lessons are contained in the High School Prep program. Once the liaison has been established and the support agreed upon, it should be formalized by a letter defining the support and criteria for awards.
HIGH SCHOOL PREP
The High School Prep (HSP) program was developed to accomplish several
goals:
* build character and responsibility in America's youth,
* create goodwill betweenMOWW and the Junior and Senior ROTC instructors,
* promote frequent visitations
to schools by MOWW members, and to create goodwill with the school
administration between both MOWW and JROTC.
By understanding the curriculum, HSP will become an invaluable aid in creating a friendship with the JROTC instructors and the school administrators. The HSP program may be taught as a complete course or its single lessons may be taught alone. If taught as a complete course, HSP complements JROTC in high schools, however, it may also be taught in schools without JROTC. Several major cities are incorporating the program into 8th grade summer schools to prepare the students for high school. Regardless of its title HSP also is valuable at the college ROTC level. The HSP curriculum was designed to never become obsolete.
AWARDS *
The Military Order has a series of individual awards authorized for presentation to ROTC Cadets. These Medals of Merit are distinctive and are accompanied by a ribbon bar, an engraved citation, and a presentation folder. The criteria for eligibility for these individual awards are excellence in military skills, academics, and/or leadership:
For Senior ROTC: See Handbook Appendix C, 8,a *
For Junior ROTC: See Handbook Appendix C, 8,b *
(* - Also listed on the National Web site. Handbook, Appendix C)
These criteria were selected to stimulate the cadets to give their best effort and to
permit the display of the award for 1 to 3 years, giving prestige to the recipient and
incentive to other cadets. This is the preferred individual award; however, the chapters
may provide additional awards. If financially constrained, a ribbon bar may be presented
in lieu of a medal.
It is important to present a less expensive award rather than none at all. The importance of this individual recognition cannot be over emphasized. Chapters may make other individual awards at their discretion. Such awards include plaques, swords, ribbon bars, and trophies; or in the case of college seniors upon serving on active duty, a membership in the MOWW . Certificates of merit to be used in lieu of a medal are available from the National Headquarters. Certificates should be signed by the chapter commander and may carry the chapter seal over a cut of the large MOWW ribbon. See Appendix C for more examples.
Unit awards for presentation are in two categories, Annual and Perpetual:
An Annual Award is one that honors an individual and is presented to a single ROTC Unit for display. An example is a plaque, engraved to describe its purpose, which is retained by the unit and each year the new recipient's name is inscribed. The recipient may be presented a certificate as tangible evidence of achievement.
A Perpetual award is one that is presented to the winner of a competition between two or more ROTC Units. The competition may be for drill competition, marksmanship, community projects, or other events. The trophy is retained by the winner until the following competition when it is moved to the next winning unit. Certificates for the winning unit are kept by the winning unit and a ribbon streamer is provided for the unit flag.
Chapters have much latitude and are encouraged to establish annual or perpetual awards. The annexes to this ROTC Guide describe projects of other chapters and give some ideas to improve the chapter's ROTC program.
Presentation of an award is an important consideration. It should accomplish two essential elements. It should enhance the prestige of the recipients among their contemporaries, and the presentation should enhance the image of the Military Order in the school and the community.
The awards must be distinguished and in good taste. The certificates must be inscribed and suitable for proud display by the recipient and the school. Locally produced certificates are perhaps less expensive, but unless they are of a quality suitable for framing, they will probably end up in a drawer.
Presentation ceremonies held at the school are the appropriate occasion for the presentation of chapter awards. The presentation should be made at an appropriate ceremony by a companion of the Order if possible. Uniforms enhance the occasion as do photographs.
FINANCING
There are a number of ways in which a chapter can fund its programs. Fundamentally the source comes from the companions of the chapter because of their willingness to support the program.
Prorating the chapter share of membership dues received from National Headquarters provides a basic and predictable income, however, it generally is insufficient.
Fund raising activities such as raffles, sales of merchandise, or beverages are popular. Pledges of contributions to a program can be solicited on a monthly basis as an add on to chapter meetings.
Sponsorship of an award by a companion which entails paying for the award and making the presentation. This can be a memorial award, a personal award, or a group award.
Establishing a fund or endowment is a long-range investment that can produce interest to finance awards while preserving the principle. Member contributions, estate contributions, and corporate contributions can be an income source. Such a fund may eventually become self sustaining.
Prepare a budget to cover all expenses and submit it for approval. Budget for materials, awards, administration, meals for chapter guests, and any other expenses. Monitor the disbursements as you go and the finance officer will bless you.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Any involvement that is worth supporting is worth the effort to make the public aware of that effort. ROTC in particular is a program that can benefit from public awareness. Its real benefits as compared to its perceived results are often quite different. There is a tremendous resistance in some quarters to ROTC especially in high schools. The High School Prep program, at Intro. 3, 4, 10, and 11, contains excellent material regarding the benefits of ROTC that may be included in news releases.
An event deserving of public interest is a news worthy item, and a release should be prepared. It will be best received if it is personally delivered and explained rather than dropped in the mail. Invite the media to attend the event and be sure that they are treated with exceptional courtesy. If media personnel do not attend, then provide your own coverage complete with pictures and individual names. Include the Officer Review and your own chapter bulletin/newsletter in the release which will gain Brown Cup points.
When you invite cadets to your meetings either as guests or participants, file a news release.
THE ROTC/JROTC REPORT
The ROTC/JROTC competition represents one of the primary efforts of MOWW. Every chapter is expected to support ROTC and is encouraged to submit an annual report. It has two purposes: First it records the year's ROTC activities, and second it reports the program to those who are charged with management of the overall national effort. This information is vital to the MOWW leaders when they must explain the program to national leaders or when they apply for grant monies to further the youth leadership program. Winning an award is an achievement that reflects on all who participated. It allows a chapter to compare their program with others in a similar category. Every chapter should have a program and should submit the report. The "ROTC Annual Report and Awards" criteria are explained in the Military Order of the World Wars Handbook, Appendix C.
Preparation should start with the first document produced and systematically continue from event to event while setting aside copies of documents, photographs, letters, certificates, releases, receipts, etc. The final form need only to be filled out and the supporting evidence then attached in simple scrapbook form.
The ROTC Annual Reports should be submitted to the national chairperson of the ROTC Committee whose address is listed in the National Directory no later than 15 June each year.
The First place winners in each category will receive a National ROTC
Recognition Award at the national convention each year. Second and Third place winners in
each category will receive a National Citation. A successful program, however, is
its own reward. Winning this Award is just icing on the cake.
Establishing JROTC Units
JROTC has proven to be a positive factor to any school. It provides successful students who are assets to the school and ultimately result in more successful and productive adults. The mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to be better Americans. It is not a recruitment program and recruitment should never be suggested to students. The cadets have no obligation for military service.
To ensure that each JROTC unit functions properly as an asset to the host school and a benefit to the students, the school must meet certain basic requirements. Great credit is given, via the various awards, for MOWW chapters that assist in the development of new JROTC units or assist a unit to rise from probationary status to that of normal status. Probationary status usually results from a JROTC unit falling below 100 cadets or in the case of a small school 1/10 of the school population.
Application. To establish a JROTC Unit, a school must apply to the branch of service desired. A service representative will then inspect the school to evaluate its capacity to support the program. Applications are approved by the host Military Department based on available funding, ability to support a unit, and fair and equitable distribution.
Maintaining. Once a school establishes a unit, it is inspected by region headquarters. In order to retain a program, each school must comply with contract requirements which include:
1. Meeting statutory requirements.
2. Maintaining the standards and criteria for establishment.
3. Complying with pertinent service regulations.
4. Supporting the JROTC program to a degree that will merit a rating of satisfactory on formal inspections.
Staffing. Each JROTC Unit is authorized two instructors, one officer and one NCO. Additional instructors may be authorized if the size of the unit so requires.
Space. To establish and maintain a JROTC Unit, the following
facilities, space and accommodations must be provided by the school administration: 1.)
class rooms, 2.) secure storage area for simulated color guard rifles, deactivated rifles,
and high theft items, 3.) office space, 4.) telephone availability, and 5.) access to a
suitable drill area. Space requirements are detailed in the military/school standard
contract.
Enrollment. A minimum of 100 students or 10% of the student body is required
to maintain a JR0TC Unit. Units falling below the above criteria are placed on probation
and then disestablished if they do not meet minimum requirements within one year. The High
School Prep program has proven invaluable in assisting units on probation to achieve
minimum requirements and thus remain on active status, see paragraph 4, Intro. 3 of High
School Prep.
SCHEDULE FOR CHAPTER CHAIRMAN, ROTC COMMITTEE
SEP-OCT:
Review the National Handbook (especially Appendix C), the ROTC Guide,
Chapter and Region By-Laws, and other local guidance.
Select chapter ROTC committee members.
Call on senior ROTC instructors at each high school/college and discuss program objectives
for the current year.
Prepare the ROTC budget information and order pertinent materials.
Coordinate ROTC budget information with chapter commander and finance officer.
JAN-FEB:
Order medals from National Headquarters
Formalize the program with a letter to each senior JROTC/ROTC instructor. Include
available awards; presentations; and other services; to include specific dates, times and
details.
Coordinate with senior instructors the requirements for cadets/non cadets to attend Youth
Leadership Conferences and Forums.
MAR-APR:
Arrange for speakers, lecturers and support as required.
Establish schedule for Award Ceremonies to include presenters and photographic coverage.
Prepare all awards, National and Chapter (Certificates, plaques, medals. ribbons, etc.)
MAY-JUN:
Gather all materials, letters, photographs articles and copies relating
to the program.
Prepare and submit ROTC Report to the Commander. (Refer to Handbook, Appendix C)
Up-date the chapter SOP.
SAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL CHAPTER PROGRAMS
1. Memorial Awards
a. The award is a plaque with the MOWW insignia centered on a wooden base with a brass plate inscribed as follows:
" Lieutenant Harry P. Morris U. S. Navy Memorial Award"
Presented To Outstanding Cadet
Water T. Door
Shelton High School
Naval Junior ROTC
Or present a Certificate of Merit (in lieu of a medal) similarly inscribed.
b. Criteria for award requires a senior cadet who will continue in service to the Country and who must be of outstanding character, with exemplary qualities of military skill, academic excellence, and demonstrated leadership ability.
c. Memorial Awards are sponsored by a member who wishes to honor a memorial member. An award may also be sponsored by a companion who has an affiliation to the school and wishes to sponsor the award in his own name.
d. The cost of the award is defrayed by the sponsor.
2. Chapter Drill Team/Color Guard Award
a. This award is a trophy which is a perpetual award for the winner of a competition between units supported by the chapter. The trophy is held by the winning unit for the year following the contest. It is accompanied by a certificate listing the names of all members of the winning team and a ribbon streamer for the unit flag.
b. The criteria for the award is the unit that has the highest scores in a formal graded competition.
c. The chapter supports the award by contributions of the members.
3. Competitions A similar program can be established for other
competitions such as marksmanship (pistol or rifle), athletic contests, or other
appropriate competitions.
4. ROTC Banquet
a. Each year the chapter's May or June meeting may be dedicated to the ROTC. The chapter may invite previously honored cadets to the meeting and select a speaker to discuss issues of concern to young students.
b. Cost for the cadets is funded by a "Take a Cadet to Dinner Program" whereby a member sponsors a cadet, acts as the host and sits with the cadet. This is a wonderful program for establishing rapport with the ROTC units and their cadets.
5. Community Service Programs
a. The chapter can establish projects for community service, such as Plant a Tree, community-cleanup day, or other needed services for their community. This can be an annual award for a single unit or a perpetual award for two or more units.
b. A trophy or plaque with appropriate inscription and including names of the participants or winners should be provided.
c. The criteria for the award should be clearly defined.
d. The cost of the award would be nominal and funded by contributions of a member or the chapter.
6. Scholarship Awards
a. The chapter can provide a cash award for a scholarship. The amount can be determined locally but should be sufficient to assist the recipient, $300 in the case of one chapter.
b. The amount is made by contributions from members. It could also be supported by a special fund to which members make a regular deposit.
c. The criteria is for a student who is deserving and who may do well academically. Need might be considered as a factor.
SEMINARS
The chapter, during a liaison visit to a JROTC/ROTC unit, might offer to provide a seminar on ethics. Three or four companions with varied experience might volunteer to participate. Each one could present a short talk on ethics, both in the military and civilian arena. The presentation might be followed by questions which hopefully will lead to a lively discussion.
Experience suggests one to two hours as the optimum time for the seminar including questions and discussion. The High School Prep program should be reviewed for ideas during development of the presentations. It is best to get students involved in the presentation, rather than conduct just a lecture. Be sure to stay on time during seminars. It is counter-productive to be stopped in the middle of the most important part of the seminar by the bell and have the students rush off to the next class.
Seminars will be greatly enhanced with the use of visual aids such as films, photographs, maps, etc. The films suggested in the High School Prep program at the end of Intro. 3 have proved to be highly successful, but the most important learning comes primarily from personal participation. By following the Five Step Speaking Process covered in Lesson 3 a. of the High School Prep Program, a speaker will save worry, time, and effort and produce a dynamite presentation.
Example of a Special Fund - James Henry van Pien Trust
The James Henry von Pien Trust was established on 7 January 1988 when the chapter staff accepted a gift from Colonel James Henry van Pien, a past commander of the San Antonio Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, subject to the following conditions:
a. The fund shall be invested in securities issued or insured by the United States Government or an instrumentality thereof.
b. No withdrawal of principle shall be made from the trust for any purpose whatsoever except as provided in paragraph e, below.
c. The earnings from this fund shall be used by the San Antonio Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars solely and exclusively for the following purposes:
(1) To recognize outstanding cadets who are members of senior or junior units of the Reserve Officers Training Corps of the Armed Forces of the United States at schools within a 50 mile radius of San Antonio by the presentation of Military Order of the World Wars medals; and
(2) To further the patriotic education of outstanding high school students of the San Antonio Area as defined in subparagraph c (1), above, by underwriting the tuition, travel expenses, room and board for attendance at Youth Leadership Conferences held nationally.
d. The trust shall be administered by trustees who shall serve for one year terms coincident with the Chapters' fiscal year and who shall be the Immediate Past Commander of the Chapter, the current Commander, and the Senior Vice Commander.
e. In the event of the dissolution of the San Antonio Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars the funds in the trust shall devolve to the Texas Lions Camp, Kerrville, Texas. (Or any other 501,C,3 Foundation)
f. Additional contributions to the trust are permitted under such rules as the trustees, with the approval of the Chapter Staff, shall deem appropriate.
Since the establishment of the James Henry van Pien Trust was contingent
upon acceptance of the foregoing conditions, this section of the By-Laws is not amenable
to future amendment, revocation, or remission.
CDR Alan Mandigo, Chairman
ROTC Committee
The Military Order of the World Wars
10/01/2000