JROTC

C/Major Hernandez is currently the Battalion Commander of the Panther Battalion at Duncanville High School. She has maintained high academic standards as she has remained steady throughout the top 3% of her class with a 3.8 GPA. She has been recognized by the state for her accomplishments in the All-State Choir, by the superintendent for her district achievement in varsity tennis, and she has continued to excel as a leader as the Battalion Commander for the Panther Battalion. She is also a part of the Duncanville Student Council Organization as a Community Service Committee Chair and as the honorary National Honor Society Vice President.

After high school she hopes to attend the United States Naval Academy to pursue a major in General Science to become an officer and serve her time as a Midshipman in the United States Navy.

C/CPT Villa is the Executive Officer for the Panther Battalion. She is currently a senior in the Class of 2023. Cadet Villa exemplifies high academic prestige, ranking in the top 1% of her class while maintaining a 4.66 GPA. Cadet Villa has displayed exceptional leadership skills and has distinguished herself by serving as a member of the National Honors Society, Student Council, HOSA, Captain of the Varsity Tennis Team, Secretary of Y-Achievers, Secretary of Panthers Impact, and a youth leader for her community’s religious group. Despite her rigorous academic and extracurricular schedule, she manages to give back to her community, with over 100 hours of community service.

Upon graduation, Cadet Villa plans to attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, where she will major in biology in the pre-medicine route. Then she will pursue medical school and aspires to become an emergency physician.

C/CSM Lane is the current Battalion Sergeant Major of the Panther Battalion at Duncanville High School. He is President of the Alpha Rho Kudos of Dallas Chapter and is a delegate of the Southwest region. He is part of the golf team, baseball team, and is trying for the track & field team. He has held a steady B average throughout high school while running businesses outside of school. He loves to protect and serve others whenever and however he can.

Upon graduation he plans to serve in the United States Marine Corps.

• JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Each JROTC program is linked to the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines.
• The Army JROTC is our focus because it provides a 4-year tiered sequence of courses emphasizing citizenship and leadership. The program’s mission statement is: To motivate young people to be better citizens.

• The program is a full credit elective class for every semester a person takes it.
• JROTC combines interesting classroom instruction with school and community service opportunities. Students participate in extracurricular activities, social activities and have the chance to be in leadership positions.

• The material covered in the program varies throughout the year, with short segments of leadership training, basics of citizenship and other topics related to the U.S. Army.
• The Army JROTC curriculum also covers topics such as U.S. Military History, first aid, human relations, etiquette, good techniques for oral communication, drill and ceremony, military map reading, personal hygiene, marksmanship, orienteering, and staff functions and procedures.

No, there is no obligation to join the military. In fact, most cadets do not join the military, but for those who are interested in pursuing a career in the military, Army JROTC is a real benefit.

There are two instructors, a Senior Army Instructor (SAI) and an Army Instructor (AI). The SAI is an officer, and the AIs are non-commissioned officers (enlisted). All are retired from active military service.

No, JROTC is not a required course at DHS.

There is no cost to enter the program. The course materials, uniforms, supplies, and equipment are paid for by the district. There are some things that a cadet might have to pay for, such as a field trip, issued equipment that is lost or damaged, or special equipment for a particular team.

Yes. All leadership positions are available to everyone equally.

To join JROTC, select the program during course requests for the following year. The program is open to rising 9th-12th graders.

• In addition to earning high school credit, students that enlist in the military after taking JROTC for at least three years are bumped up two pay grades and ranks.
• Many colleges give advance standing and credit for completion of the JROTC program if a student enrolls in college ROTC.
• JROTC instructors have been very successful in helping interested high school students obtain college ROTC scholarships and service academy appointments.

Yes. After earning a uniform in the beginning of their first year, cadets are required to wear the Army JROTC uniform on designated days (Wednesdays and Thursdays). The uniform is provided by the campus and is custom-fitted to each cadet. The uniform consists of a jacket, a pair of trousers, shirt, shoes, black socks, black belt, and buckle. Cadets earn their rank and awards to put on their uniforms.

Yes. JROTC students are involved in everything from varsity sports to band, chorus, student government, and other clubs. Students can spend as much or as little time as they want to with JROTC. The program offers several teams (Rifle team, Drill team, Exhibition team and Color Guard) that cadets can join in addition to the normal JROTC class activities. The program also offers field trips, summer camps, and other group-sponsored activities. These offers are not mandatory for cadets to participate in and students are encouraged to participate in other activities.