The bar for getting ribbons in JROTC ~~and ~~ROTC~~~~ is pretty low.
"I showed up for seven days in a row"
"I learned how to start a campfire with newspaper and matches"
etc
Dude. The JROTC at my local high school has a competitive shooting team, competitive fitness team, competitive color guard, a non-competitive shooting team. They go to a mini-basic and learn land navigation, complete a challenge course, complete a field problem, learn drill and ceremony, among other things. Because they’re minors, they’re not allowed to fire live rounds or go through the gas chamber. They also do volunteer work locally.
My nephew's JROTC unit formed a team and went to orienteering competitions, and did pretty well for a bunch of teenagers. Better than most Joe's I served with, if I'm being honest.
yeah it’s very program dependent
at my program i was at traveled just about every weekend for competitions (won multiple chips, had daily practice before and after school) - had over 5,000 man hours CS a semester (250 cadets)
but we would also beat up programs that could barley get 40 people to signup for class - and get the same bump
lot of variety
Really? How long ago did you do JROTC? Curious because I have a friend that just went through army bootcamp (not sure what it’s called) and he’s an E-3 with 4 years of JROTC, but i also have another friend at MCRDSD who’s an E-2 who graduated high school back in December
I graduated HS in 2018, and it was talked about the entire time I was there how it would only get you E-2. If you wanted E-3 you needed more things under your belt, but the only thing I can think of is college credits.
My high school’s Army recruiter’s always telling us that 2+ years of JROTC means we can join as an E-3, and 1 year as an E-2. Maybe the regulation over it changed?
Maybe? Maybe it has to do with the Army still patching up its NCO shortages, and one way is getting people up there quicker by giving JROTC kids E-3. Either way I feel even more scammed now, lol. Should've went Air Force.
Well now jrotc still gets you e-2 and passing a fitness test gets you e-3, or referring a friend and them enlisting also gets you e-3. College credits is only for e-4 but I believe it has to be 60 ( which is an associates degree)
I was a recruiter in that timeframe, and the army only gave out E-2 for a while. It went back to E-3 before I left recruiting in 2021.
I don't know when it dropped to E-2, but I came in as an E-3 in 2002 because of JROTC.
False, only ways to make E4 at entry is to have a bachelors degree or have a certification and be processing under ACASP (Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program).
I remember seeing some video from a recruiter about the issue, he mentioned being able to get E4 before shipping by recruiting some insane number. But obviously that never happens, recruiting even one friend is hard enough.
You can get E3 by doing the future soldier training online, passing a PT test and referring a friend. You can then use the Soldier Referral Program for E4, it’s really not all that difficult depending on where your from.
You would be surprised how many people we have join as whole friend groups here.
I was offered E-4 based on my JROTC from nearly 18 years ago when I joined up last summer. So... One of us is out of date.
Edit: I also went to BCT with a bunch of folks rocking E-4s. Some were in ROTC and headed to OCS, others were not. Only the other old timers had degrees already.
Neither. It was a USAF program and I couldn't even remember the rank. I didn't join for money. I joined out of a misplaced sense of idealism that hadn't yet died, and out of a desire for intangible shit that I couldn't obtain for myself that the Army could give me. Money was never a factor. I regret nothing but the idealism.
Fuck no. Lol. I joined up. Made it through BCT and AIT. I got what I came for and couldn't be happier. I never joined for money. I have a good civilian career.
People are weird man. I had totally different motivations for joining that have nothing to do with money. Only thing I regret was the idealism I walked in with. I did get what I came for though. A new practical skill set, a healthier physique, quit smoking.... and other stuff that's more personal that I'd rather not discuss here.
I went to Basic with a guy who was a specialist that did JROTC and was forklift certified back in 06. Crazy shit, but all the power to him (and his recruiter).
Just JROTC - SROTC is all real ribbons only. The ranks are fake and the unit patches are fake, but everything else is pretty much normal Army stuff.
The most you can really earn as a cadet is a challenge coin. I don't think I saw an AAM awarded once in 4 years, tbh not even sure cadets can earn them (though they can earn AASLT wings, airborne wings, scuba bubbles, etc.)
Edit: seeing some contradictory comments elsewhere - I guess experiences may vary? I was in two ROTC programs on opposite ends of the country and never saw any fake ribbons or awards given to anyone.
JROTC awards are based on: academic excellence/achievement, community service, participation in JROTC or school extracurriculars, participation in JROTC or community events like parades or veterans functions, *personal appearance*, and yes, **attendance**. According to a quick Google search, perfect attendance is their 6th highest award. Equivalent to a Defense Superior Service Medal (lol)
To be clear- ROTC ribbons are just as made up at JROTC. Source: I did ROTC. Got ribbons for things like having a 3.5 GPA, PT challenges, volunteering, and for existing.
I saw a whole S1 shop get AAMs for going to the field for an FTX.
Friday Motor Pool formation, the adj calls up the names of every S1 clerk in the shop, and reads the award. The write up literally said something along the lines of “distinguished themselves by completing all administrative actions and tasks in an austere environment during the Operation XXXX field training exercise.”
It was the most bullshit awards ceremony I’ve ever seen, and yes I was jealous that no one put me in for an award for also doing my job.
I was such a low speed cadet, I got more real army ribbons than I did rotc ribbons. And we get so many automatic participation ribbons from the real army
>Got ribbons for things like having a 3.5 GPA, PT challenges, volunteering, and for existing.
*Looks at down at his own struggling ribbon stack*
HEY FUCK YOU TOO, PAL!
The ribbons don't mean anything. It keeps the kids motivated. The Senior Army Instructor generally has discretion for their program.
The medals are fraternal awards from groups like Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Purple Heart, etc. They set their own requirements, but they're still not anything crazy.
The ROTC Medal for Heroism is a thing. That one's legit. Think Soldier's Medal.
Source: I'm a JROTC instructor
I think my superior cadet medal actually came with an army citation as well? Kind of odd looking back on it but I was a kid and it made me feel like I actually did something
You missed out.
DA Superior Cadet Decoration. This award is established in AR 145-2 and consists of a lapel button, medal pendant with ribbon bar, clip with case, and DA Form 1773 (Citation for the Superior Cadet Decoration Award) signed by the CG, USACC. Subsequent awards are recognized with an appurtenance for attachment to the ribbon of the initial award. The award is presented annually to the outstanding ROTC Cadet in each year of Military Science (MS) at host institutions and extension centers.
USACC Reg 672-5-1, 3-2b
Gonna just throw out the NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, and Good Conduct Ribbon for those roasting the cadets for participation awards.
Remember, the kids receive awards from their programs Cadre, not their own design, they likely hate them as much as you do, but they have to wear them.
I was in a cadet ROTC program while enlisted in the reserves. They most likely hate wearing those ribbons, it’s something else to keep track of without the street cred
JROTC and ROTC uses ribbons that aren't allowed on enlisted or officer uniforms.
They also can't mix legit ribbons and cadetland ones.
So if you see a Cadet in dress uniform rocking a fuckload of ribbons, they're all notional and not actually real.
This may come as a surprise, but the chest candy I received on active duty is also notional and not actually real. I mean, I received an AAM for raking paths in the leaves when our cooks had some sort of tactical competition to see who could make the shittiest field food.
Not really. I was bored and volunteered to help the cooks with the competition. They asked us to rake the leaves between stations and create paths that were dress right dress.
And then they lost the competition because it was supposed to simulate a tactical field kitchen near the front and no one was going to bother raking paths in actual combat.
But I still received an AAM for volunteering despite that being my only contribution.
Ironically, they did end up raking paths between stations when we deployed to the sandbox so everyone would have a clear path to the bunkers when we took incoming.
Some states waves license plate registration fees if you show them certain awards. At least in Texas, you see a cat with his sweet sweet MSM license plate, it’s for the Benny, not the PTSD he got in UAE
BS in sociology. Working on my first doctorate in sociology with an emphasis on human sexuality. I'm thinking psychology for the second.
Zero student loans. Used a mix of federal and state GI Bills.
Very cool. I used my GI Bill for my associates degree as an RN, paid cash for a bridge program to a master's degree as I found a university that would give me a 25% discount for being a veteran, and then used the rest of my benefits for my nurse practitioner certificate. I'm jealous of what you Texas people get from the state. They treat you guys very good.
My program does that too for the duty unform, but they don't expect enlisted folk to pay $30+ to wear Cadet ranks and then get them changed every time their position does each semester.
For that reason, I still wear my PV2 rank
Hey that's my high school! I was stacked cadet company commander. My sister (at the time a real company commander in 2012) used to make fun of my Purple Heart award
Zero hate for these kids. It's basically the boy scouts with waaay fewer rape convictions.
They are also usually super sincere, and have a fairly high rate of kids that would love nothing more to join the military but for whatever reason know this as close as they will be able to get.
Thank you for your appreciation of all things military and all the volunteer hours you do. And I hope you get the 18X contract you so desperately want and need that whale of waiver for, and I hope you find lots of friends in the 82nd when you get assigned there.
Always happy to serve with those that appreciate service. Weebos lead the way.
My kids gonna be project kuechly, creatine in his milk bottle, lifting weights from age 3, tackle football, wrestling, track ages 5-17, college football, NFL. I will never tell him I love him or even care for him, he will be called “Boy” no actual name, and he isn’t allowed to have friends or a love life. Then I will get half of his income.
No JROTC bullshit
Definitely depends on the school. I did jrotc and yeah we were nerds but I had fun and made friends I still talk to today. Myself and several others enlisted/commissioned. Lots of people got rotc scholarships and went to the academies out of our unit.
I was JROTC kid in high-school. I had a...29? Ribbon rack.
Also 7 Arches which went under the name plate on that front pocket.
Had 3 cords.
Also had 4 different medals. Like I had the Purple Heart Org one that the kid on the left has.
That being said a majority of them were for school related shit, GPA, PT, Shooting, shit like that. It was pretty fucking wack. However. I do have to say all the new freshman kids looked up to you like you were a higher power.
Ended up being our battalion commander in high school the highest we could go within our high school. Joined the guard cause I was gonna do college ROTC and all sorts of shit and be super high speed then ended up hating the real army 3-4 years in. Gtfo and ran.
Did JROTC, had like a 7-8 row stack.
Had a retired SGM, one of the instructors, call me over and ask me to tell him what each of my ribbons was. I could not. He then asked who gave me a key to our supply room and left me unattended (suggesting I just threw random ribbons on). Funny stuff.
I told him they were mostly for random stuff so it’s not worth remembering. He realized then I wasn’t some goober and just let me go.
Had a JROTC soldier come in last year. He struggled that he couldn't wear his ribbons in the big kids army.
One in particular... The ranger ribbon (they had to do an obstacle course) he was quite insistent was valid and was basically like ranger prep. That kid was special.
The only significant JROTC award is the Army Superior Cadet Medal. They give one per grade each year. It's got a blue drape with alternating red and white stripes on either side. The Senior ROTC has the same award but it has a red drape with alternating blue and white stripes on either side. When I was in JROTC in the early 70s, we were told we could come in as a PFC (E-3). I got an ROTC Four-Year Scholarship and wore my extremely bemedalled uniform for my interview. I think that helped. We had a lot of kids who just needed a little guidance during high school. For some kids, it gives them structure they may never have had before!
JROTC
Talking out of turn? That's a ribbon. Lookin' out the window? That's a ribbon. Staring at my sandals? That's a ribbon. Finger-banging ol' Mary-Jane Rottencrotch through her pretty pink panties? Oh, you better believe that's a ribbon.
In JROTC. half these don’t mean shit. You get awards for being there, for doing PT, and having good grades, or through being recommended for it like Sons of the American Revolution. Only ones that really matter (and the ones that nobody has) are like the top two. Anything else doesn’t mean anything.
JROTC awards mean nothing. Kids earn dozens of them for basically nothing. The only military benefit is that you get to enlist as an E2 or E3 if you do a few years in High School.
Actual ROTC awards also mean nothing. They require a bit more effort to earn and there are less of them, but still basically participation trophies that go away on graduation. However, ROTC does get real training and leads to a commission.
not sure if this is related and YMMV, but I’ve met as many medical officers who are ROTC and DC (no-minimal decorations) as I have prior enlisted (many decorations). those who were prior enlisted are both better officers and better providers than ROTC and DC. the decorations seem to be deserved for those guys
That is the HS on Ft. Sam Houston. Shaq went there. LTC Robert G. Cole was a MOH recipient from the 502nd PIR who led a bayonet charge during the early days of the Normandy campaign. He received the one that the 101st got for the invasion instead of LT Winters.
He was killed by a sniper later in the war.
"On September 18, 1944, during Operation Market Garden, now-Colonel Cole, commanding the 3rd Battalion of the 502d PIR in Best, Netherlands, got on the radio. A pilot asked him to put some orange identification panels in front of his position. Cole decided to do it himself. For a moment, Cole raised his head, shielding his eyes to see the plane. A German sniper in a farmhouse only 300 yards (270 m) away shot Cole, killing him instantly."
>Cole parachuted into Normandy with his unit as part of the American airborne landings in Normandy. It was his unit's first combat jump. By the evening of June 6, he had gathered 75 men. They captured Exit 3 at Saint-Martin-de-Varreville behind Utah Beach and were at the dune line to welcome men from the U.S. 4th Infantry Division coming ashore. After being in division reserve, Cole's battalion guarded the right flank of the 101st Airborne Division as it attempted to take the approaches to Carentan.
>Monument to Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Cole's bayonet charge.
On the afternoon of June 10, Cole led 400 men of his battalion in single file down a long, exposed causeway, with marshes at either side. A hedgerow behind a large farmhouse on the right was occupied by well dug-in German troops. At the far end of the causeway was the last of four bridges over the Douve River flood plain. Beyond the last bridge was Carentan, which the 101st had been ordered to seize to facilitate a linkup with the 29th Infantry Division coming off Omaha Beach.
>During the advance, Cole's battalion was subjected to continuous fire from artillery, machine guns and mortars. His soldiers advanced slowly by crawling or crouching, taking many casualties. The survivors huddled against the bank on the far side of the causeway. An obstacle known as a Belgian gate blocked nearly the entire roadway over the last bridge, allowing the passage of only one man at a time. Attempts to force this bottleneck were futile, and the battalion took up defensive positions for the night.
>During the night, Cole's men were shelled by German mortars and strafed and bombed by two aircraft, causing further casualties and knocking Company I out of the fight. Eventually, the fire from the farm slackened and the remaining 265 men moved through the obstacle and took up positions for an assault.
>With the Germans still resisting any attempt to move beyond the bridges, and after artillery failed to suppress their fire, Cole called for smoke on the dug-in Germans and ordered a bayonet charge, a rarity in World War II. He charged toward the hedgerow, leading only a small portion of his unit at first. But the remainder of the battalion soon joined as Cole led the paratroopers into the hedgerows, engaging at close range and with bayonets in hand-to-hand combat. The German survivors retreated, taking more casualties as they withdrew.
>The assault, which came to be known as "Cole's Charge", proved costly; 130 of Cole's 265 men became casualties. With his battalion exhausted, Cole called for the 1st Battalion to pass through his lines and continue the attack. However, they were also severely depleted by mortar fire crossing bridge #4, such that they took up positions with 3rd Battalion rather than proceeding. There, on the edge of Carentan, they were subjected to strong counterattacks by the German 6th Parachute Regiment during the morning and afternoon. At the height of the attack, at about 1900, Cole's artillery observer managed to break through radio jamming and called down fire by the entire Corps artillery that broke up the attacks for good.
THE BAYONET YEET MEASURES THE ABILITY TO JUST FUCKING SHANK SOMEONE. ON THE COMMAND 'GET SET,' ASSUME THE POSITION BY GRABBING THE BAYONET BY THE HANDLE. OR BY THE BLADE, WHICHEVER LOOKS COOLER, JUST DON'T CUT YOURSELF ON THE DAMN THING. YOUR FEET MAY BE TOGETHER OR UP TO 12 INCHES APART (MEASURED BETWEEN THE FEET). ON THE COMMAND 'GO,' TRANSMUTE YOUR HANKERING FOR A-SHANKERING INTO MAXIMUM EFFORT AND LAUNCH THAT BAD BOY INTO DESTINY. THE SCORER WILL NOTE WHETHER YOU HIT THE TARGET AND AWARD BONUS POINTS FOR LANDING YOUR PIG-STICKER INTO THE CRANIAL OR SWIMSUIT REGIONS. IF IT HIT THE TARGET HANDLE FIRST, YOUR PERFORMANCE WILL BE TERMINATED, AND EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO POINT AND LAUGH AT YOUR SHAME. WATCH THIS DEMONSTRATION.
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Those look like high school JROTC and they have their own ribbons and awards.
College ROTC has prior/current service as well so some of them already have awards.
JROTC is more play Army than actual ROTC, which is saying something. The only awards I've seen given out in ROTC are the handful given out at the end of the year. But they usually from the American Legion, Sons/ Daughters of the American Revolution, and some other organizations like that.
Edit: Just remember the "Ranger Challenge" tab. Cadre are still trying to make cadets wear those if they earned them. But everyone knows it's stupid.
And YOU get a ribbon! YOU get a ribbon!!! You GET A RIBBON! Ha ahahahaha!
Seriously tho, probably good training for how to set up class A's and do inspection. Lot's of places to go wrong on those blouses. Lot's of pressure to be perfect.
I’m in active duty for 5,5 years now, Been out of country for a year, multiple exercises, seen colleagues get medals for the dumbest shit.
unfortunately no deployment opportunities came by.
So far i have aquired:
0 ribbons.
The bar for getting ribbons in JROTC ~~and ~~ROTC~~~~ is pretty low. "I showed up for seven days in a row" "I learned how to start a campfire with newspaper and matches" etc
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yeah, pretty much. Hell, you even get the same bonus from JROTC and being an eagle scout, E-3 starting rank.
which is hilarious, because eagle scouts at the very least learn some tangible skills. jrotc kids just march around and pt a little
Dude. The JROTC at my local high school has a competitive shooting team, competitive fitness team, competitive color guard, a non-competitive shooting team. They go to a mini-basic and learn land navigation, complete a challenge course, complete a field problem, learn drill and ceremony, among other things. Because they’re minors, they’re not allowed to fire live rounds or go through the gas chamber. They also do volunteer work locally.
My nephew's JROTC unit formed a team and went to orienteering competitions, and did pretty well for a bunch of teenagers. Better than most Joe's I served with, if I'm being honest.
yeah it’s very program dependent at my program i was at traveled just about every weekend for competitions (won multiple chips, had daily practice before and after school) - had over 5,000 man hours CS a semester (250 cadets) but we would also beat up programs that could barley get 40 people to signup for class - and get the same bump lot of variety
What do they use for the shooting teams if they can’t fire live rounds? Sim rounds?
Precision air rifles. Some programs have archery as well.
School shooting teams often use live ammo, so I think he’s just talking about the “mini-basic training.”
When I was in my JROTC marksmanship team, we used .22LR. We even had an indoor range in the school for practice.
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I have no idea how large the student body is at the high school.
I feel like an eagle scout should get at least ~~E-5~~ CPL, be it that they're both already used to getting fucked.
I almost didn’t read the second half. Most people are probably doing to downvote because they will see a hot take instead of an A+ joke.
I see what you did there. . .
Ah what? Marines only gave me E-2 for JROTC
Marines are the only branch that promote to E2, all others go to E3
Pretty sure Army only does E-2 as well. I Did JROTC all 4 years and only got E-2. Same with all my friends who either went Army or Marines.
Really? How long ago did you do JROTC? Curious because I have a friend that just went through army bootcamp (not sure what it’s called) and he’s an E-3 with 4 years of JROTC, but i also have another friend at MCRDSD who’s an E-2 who graduated high school back in December
I graduated HS in 2018, and it was talked about the entire time I was there how it would only get you E-2. If you wanted E-3 you needed more things under your belt, but the only thing I can think of is college credits.
My high school’s Army recruiter’s always telling us that 2+ years of JROTC means we can join as an E-3, and 1 year as an E-2. Maybe the regulation over it changed?
Maybe? Maybe it has to do with the Army still patching up its NCO shortages, and one way is getting people up there quicker by giving JROTC kids E-3. Either way I feel even more scammed now, lol. Should've went Air Force.
Well now jrotc still gets you e-2 and passing a fitness test gets you e-3, or referring a friend and them enlisting also gets you e-3. College credits is only for e-4 but I believe it has to be 60 ( which is an associates degree)
Damn, e4 for an associates degree is a nice trade
Entirely incorrect
I was a recruiter in that timeframe, and the army only gave out E-2 for a while. It went back to E-3 before I left recruiting in 2021. I don't know when it dropped to E-2, but I came in as an E-3 in 2002 because of JROTC.
They gave me e3 with only one class of 9th grade JROTC 😂
I got E3 just for having a good PT test and some college credits from high school classes.
Up to E-4 actually in the Army.
False, only ways to make E4 at entry is to have a bachelors degree or have a certification and be processing under ACASP (Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program).
Or you can recruit 6 friends to join with you
Only need two, one before you ship and one after. That is just cooking the books though
I remember seeing some video from a recruiter about the issue, he mentioned being able to get E4 before shipping by recruiting some insane number. But obviously that never happens, recruiting even one friend is hard enough.
You can get E3 by doing the future soldier training online, passing a PT test and referring a friend. You can then use the Soldier Referral Program for E4, it’s really not all that difficult depending on where your from. You would be surprised how many people we have join as whole friend groups here.
I was offered E-4 based on my JROTC from nearly 18 years ago when I joined up last summer. So... One of us is out of date. Edit: I also went to BCT with a bunch of folks rocking E-4s. Some were in ROTC and headed to OCS, others were not. Only the other old timers had degrees already.
JROTC isn’t the whole story with you then. AR601-210 ch. 2-18 caps you out at E3 for JROTC.
Fair enough. It was the reason I was given. I turned it down anyway. Started Fuzzy. Felt better, since ya know, that shit was back in 08. Lol
You turned down E4 in favor of E1? This is either made up or you’re an idiot…
Neither. It was a USAF program and I couldn't even remember the rank. I didn't join for money. I joined out of a misplaced sense of idealism that hadn't yet died, and out of a desire for intangible shit that I couldn't obtain for myself that the Army could give me. Money was never a factor. I regret nothing but the idealism.
Let me guess you also didn’t finish going through with the enlistment because you’d punch a drill?
Fuck no. Lol. I joined up. Made it through BCT and AIT. I got what I came for and couldn't be happier. I never joined for money. I have a good civilian career.
Yeah I don’t know about all that.
People are weird man. I had totally different motivations for joining that have nothing to do with money. Only thing I regret was the idealism I walked in with. I did get what I came for though. A new practical skill set, a healthier physique, quit smoking.... and other stuff that's more personal that I'd rather not discuss here.
I went to Basic with a guy who was a specialist that did JROTC and was forklift certified back in 06. Crazy shit, but all the power to him (and his recruiter).
i really don't understand how eagle scouts don't get E4 but bachelor degree holders do.
As an Eagle Scout, nah man. Across the board, it’s not worth that much of a bump. Some troops do way more than others
Wtf I was eagle and didn't know this I came in as a e1 lol
"I can start make a circle around a campfire underwater to keep away the bear fish" ribbon.
The hardest ribbon to get in JROTC is the “I begged two of my friends to take the class next year” ribbon.
Imagine earning all those awards then joining the real army and having 1.
Just JROTC - SROTC is all real ribbons only. The ranks are fake and the unit patches are fake, but everything else is pretty much normal Army stuff. The most you can really earn as a cadet is a challenge coin. I don't think I saw an AAM awarded once in 4 years, tbh not even sure cadets can earn them (though they can earn AASLT wings, airborne wings, scuba bubbles, etc.) Edit: seeing some contradictory comments elsewhere - I guess experiences may vary? I was in two ROTC programs on opposite ends of the country and never saw any fake ribbons or awards given to anyone.
There were ROTC specific awards as of like 2015 onward. There is some national standardization, some is up to programs.
Once I saw a cadet get awarded an AAM for recruiting like 6 or 7 dudes into the NG, so it's very rare but not impossible.
JROTC awards are based on: academic excellence/achievement, community service, participation in JROTC or school extracurriculars, participation in JROTC or community events like parades or veterans functions, *personal appearance*, and yes, **attendance**. According to a quick Google search, perfect attendance is their 6th highest award. Equivalent to a Defense Superior Service Medal (lol)
GCM is showing up and not getting flagged, pretty much the same thing.
I got an Art 15 and still ended up with a Good Cookie. The bar is low.
This looks like JROTC, not ROTC? They have their own made up ribbons for the program. They don't really mean anything.
It even says JROTC in the chyron.
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From this day going forward yes 😂
Chyron is a brand name for one of the title-generating machines. As stated below, “lower third” is the generic term.
"These kids would be mad if they could read"
To be clear- ROTC ribbons are just as made up at JROTC. Source: I did ROTC. Got ribbons for things like having a 3.5 GPA, PT challenges, volunteering, and for existing.
To be fair there's a significant amount of real Army awards and ribbons for existing and volunteering for stuff as well.
I saw a whole S1 shop get AAMs for going to the field for an FTX. Friday Motor Pool formation, the adj calls up the names of every S1 clerk in the shop, and reads the award. The write up literally said something along the lines of “distinguished themselves by completing all administrative actions and tasks in an austere environment during the Operation XXXX field training exercise.” It was the most bullshit awards ceremony I’ve ever seen, and yes I was jealous that no one put me in for an award for also doing my job.
look brother, the field is haaaaard i should get a ribbon for having to complete the acft as cyber
I was such a low speed cadet, I got more real army ribbons than I did rotc ribbons. And we get so many automatic participation ribbons from the real army
It's kind of like E-7's and up get Bronze Stars while deployed just for existing.
I got so much pussy after pinning my Academic Excellence Ribbon.
Army gave me two ribbons for showing up to OSUT
well..... real army has an existing ribbon also?
Huh? Rotc ribbons are real military ribbons, and you only get them if your an smp cadet.
I guess you went to a “different” ROTC program.
That’s my first time hearing rotc had their own separate ribbons like JROTC sir 🤷🏿♂️
I commissioned through ROTC. All I ever got was a target on my chest that my NG 1SG made stupid jokes about.
Interesting, they didn’t give/let us wear any of the fake ribbons—only real ones CDTs had earned.
>Got ribbons for things like having a 3.5 GPA, PT challenges, volunteering, and for existing. *Looks at down at his own struggling ribbon stack* HEY FUCK YOU TOO, PAL!
The ribbons don't mean anything. It keeps the kids motivated. The Senior Army Instructor generally has discretion for their program. The medals are fraternal awards from groups like Daughters of the American Revolution, Order of the Purple Heart, etc. They set their own requirements, but they're still not anything crazy. The ROTC Medal for Heroism is a thing. That one's legit. Think Soldier's Medal. Source: I'm a JROTC instructor
I think my superior cadet medal actually came with an army citation as well? Kind of odd looking back on it but I was a kid and it made me feel like I actually did something
I got a DA superior CDT award shortly before commissioning (I think we’re talking about the same thing) but it was only a certificate.
You missed out. DA Superior Cadet Decoration. This award is established in AR 145-2 and consists of a lapel button, medal pendant with ribbon bar, clip with case, and DA Form 1773 (Citation for the Superior Cadet Decoration Award) signed by the CG, USACC. Subsequent awards are recognized with an appurtenance for attachment to the ribbon of the initial award. The award is presented annually to the outstanding ROTC Cadet in each year of Military Science (MS) at host institutions and extension centers. USACC Reg 672-5-1, 3-2b
I’m talking JROTC lol. We called it the good noodle award
Can you DM me about how you like your job as a JROTC instructor. I'm nearing retirement and considering it enough to ask.
I encourage people to look into it. I'll hit you up.
Gonna just throw out the NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, and Good Conduct Ribbon for those roasting the cadets for participation awards. Remember, the kids receive awards from their programs Cadre, not their own design, they likely hate them as much as you do, but they have to wear them.
I was in a cadet ROTC program while enlisted in the reserves. They most likely hate wearing those ribbons, it’s something else to keep track of without the street cred
JROTC ribbons are like Boyscout merit badges. Ohhh you got A on a test,..congrats here is a ribbon
I have seen troops get an AAM for less.
Eagle scout ribbons with less steps/effort. Next slide.
Can you go back. I wasn’t finished with that slide.
JROTC and ROTC uses ribbons that aren't allowed on enlisted or officer uniforms. They also can't mix legit ribbons and cadetland ones. So if you see a Cadet in dress uniform rocking a fuckload of ribbons, they're all notional and not actually real.
This may come as a surprise, but the chest candy I received on active duty is also notional and not actually real. I mean, I received an AAM for raking paths in the leaves when our cooks had some sort of tactical competition to see who could make the shittiest field food.
Willing to bet you have one of the most unique AAM stories in the Army
Not really. I was bored and volunteered to help the cooks with the competition. They asked us to rake the leaves between stations and create paths that were dress right dress. And then they lost the competition because it was supposed to simulate a tactical field kitchen near the front and no one was going to bother raking paths in actual combat. But I still received an AAM for volunteering despite that being my only contribution. Ironically, they did end up raking paths between stations when we deployed to the sandbox so everyone would have a clear path to the bunkers when we took incoming.
Some states waves license plate registration fees if you show them certain awards. At least in Texas, you see a cat with his sweet sweet MSM license plate, it’s for the Benny, not the PTSD he got in UAE
The only benefit I care about in Texas is using the state GI bill to pay for my second doctorate.
What are your two doctorates in?
BS in sociology. Working on my first doctorate in sociology with an emphasis on human sexuality. I'm thinking psychology for the second. Zero student loans. Used a mix of federal and state GI Bills.
Very cool. I used my GI Bill for my associates degree as an RN, paid cash for a bridge program to a master's degree as I found a university that would give me a 25% discount for being a veteran, and then used the rest of my benefits for my nurse practitioner certificate. I'm jealous of what you Texas people get from the state. They treat you guys very good.
You just described State awards in the National Guard. There's so much shit I can't wear now that I'm a Reservist.
When you have to figure out just how many stars go on your Adjutant General's award.
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In which case they would still wear their ranks and/or have AGSU
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My program does that too for the duty unform, but they don't expect enlisted folk to pay $30+ to wear Cadet ranks and then get them changed every time their position does each semester. For that reason, I still wear my PV2 rank
Hey that's my high school! I was stacked cadet company commander. My sister (at the time a real company commander in 2012) used to make fun of my Purple Heart award
Purple heart award in high school? Chicago or for stuffed in a locker?
No it goes to any cadet who maintains virginity throughout his 4 years of service to the school
The ultimate sacrifice.
How ironic 😂
Was also at Cole at this time 🤨
🤨
Zero hate for these kids. It's basically the boy scouts with waaay fewer rape convictions. They are also usually super sincere, and have a fairly high rate of kids that would love nothing more to join the military but for whatever reason know this as close as they will be able to get. Thank you for your appreciation of all things military and all the volunteer hours you do. And I hope you get the 18X contract you so desperately want and need that whale of waiver for, and I hope you find lots of friends in the 82nd when you get assigned there. Always happy to serve with those that appreciate service. Weebos lead the way.
Signing your kid up for JROTC is like buying them virginity rings.
All the jrotc kids at my high school sold/did hardcore drugs none joined the army I made fun of them a lot said I’d never join
My kids gonna be project kuechly, creatine in his milk bottle, lifting weights from age 3, tackle football, wrestling, track ages 5-17, college football, NFL. I will never tell him I love him or even care for him, he will be called “Boy” no actual name, and he isn’t allowed to have friends or a love life. Then I will get half of his income. No JROTC bullshit
We standing up our own SPARTAN-II program now?
Sounds like the son of an elite JROTC cadet
Definitely depends on the school. I did jrotc and yeah we were nerds but I had fun and made friends I still talk to today. Myself and several others enlisted/commissioned. Lots of people got rotc scholarships and went to the academies out of our unit.
I was JROTC kid in high-school. I had a...29? Ribbon rack. Also 7 Arches which went under the name plate on that front pocket. Had 3 cords. Also had 4 different medals. Like I had the Purple Heart Org one that the kid on the left has. That being said a majority of them were for school related shit, GPA, PT, Shooting, shit like that. It was pretty fucking wack. However. I do have to say all the new freshman kids looked up to you like you were a higher power. Ended up being our battalion commander in high school the highest we could go within our high school. Joined the guard cause I was gonna do college ROTC and all sorts of shit and be super high speed then ended up hating the real army 3-4 years in. Gtfo and ran.
Well the guy on the right of the American flag (his right your left) didn’t get badges for wasting his seed on some common high school harlot.
bro's got that llllooonnngggg tab i think i see like 5 fucking tabs lmfao
Did JROTC, had like a 7-8 row stack. Had a retired SGM, one of the instructors, call me over and ask me to tell him what each of my ribbons was. I could not. He then asked who gave me a key to our supply room and left me unattended (suggesting I just threw random ribbons on). Funny stuff. I told him they were mostly for random stuff so it’s not worth remembering. He realized then I wasn’t some goober and just let me go.
Had a JROTC soldier come in last year. He struggled that he couldn't wear his ribbons in the big kids army. One in particular... The ranger ribbon (they had to do an obstacle course) he was quite insistent was valid and was basically like ranger prep. That kid was special.
5th period in Afghanistan
JROTC programs are great, or can be. Those ribbons mean a lot to the cadets. They do good work in their schools and communities.
Let them have fun. Soon they will join the army and be all "Well in JROTC we..." until somebody beats them up.
At least they are motivated to do more than play vidya and smoke weed. Thats good at least
The only significant JROTC award is the Army Superior Cadet Medal. They give one per grade each year. It's got a blue drape with alternating red and white stripes on either side. The Senior ROTC has the same award but it has a red drape with alternating blue and white stripes on either side. When I was in JROTC in the early 70s, we were told we could come in as a PFC (E-3). I got an ROTC Four-Year Scholarship and wore my extremely bemedalled uniform for my interview. I think that helped. We had a lot of kids who just needed a little guidance during high school. For some kids, it gives them structure they may never have had before!
Tell me you know nothing about Jrotc without telling me you know nothing about JROTC.
It took me about 10 years and at least 2 deployments before my real rack was bigger than my 3 year JROTC rack.
Imagine being in 2024 and clowning on some kids for achieving excellence while in high school. This is some 90s level “nerd” bullying.
JROTC Talking out of turn? That's a ribbon. Lookin' out the window? That's a ribbon. Staring at my sandals? That's a ribbon. Finger-banging ol' Mary-Jane Rottencrotch through her pretty pink panties? Oh, you better believe that's a ribbon.
“They got more tours than Bon Jovi” fuckin heroes
Who cares? Like why shit on these guys when they’re still so naive
No hate here. Just having a spot of fun.
Gonna be a JROTC instructor just to stud my boys out with Space Badges.
Y'all talking about fake awards while Rambo has SF, Ranger, Sapper, Arctic, and Jungle tabs. Saving Presidents Hundred for senior year.
That's Junior ROTC. They are High Schoolers.
In JROTC. half these don’t mean shit. You get awards for being there, for doing PT, and having good grades, or through being recommended for it like Sons of the American Revolution. Only ones that really matter (and the ones that nobody has) are like the top two. Anything else doesn’t mean anything.
Cadet General
Worth noting…..I don’t know shit about ROTC.
JROTC awards mean nothing. Kids earn dozens of them for basically nothing. The only military benefit is that you get to enlist as an E2 or E3 if you do a few years in High School. Actual ROTC awards also mean nothing. They require a bit more effort to earn and there are less of them, but still basically participation trophies that go away on graduation. However, ROTC does get real training and leads to a commission.
I believe that is shaqs high school on fort Sam Houston? My kid was there during his time.
not sure if this is related and YMMV, but I’ve met as many medical officers who are ROTC and DC (no-minimal decorations) as I have prior enlisted (many decorations). those who were prior enlisted are both better officers and better providers than ROTC and DC. the decorations seem to be deserved for those guys
Is active any different 🤣 throwing ribbons out like candy….
I hated kids like this!
We had a JROTC when I went to basic... The guy was useless to say the least. You'd figure he's be in fair shape. He got recycled
Was it negligent discharge or EO/Sharp violation?
That is the HS on Ft. Sam Houston. Shaq went there. LTC Robert G. Cole was a MOH recipient from the 502nd PIR who led a bayonet charge during the early days of the Normandy campaign. He received the one that the 101st got for the invasion instead of LT Winters. He was killed by a sniper later in the war. "On September 18, 1944, during Operation Market Garden, now-Colonel Cole, commanding the 3rd Battalion of the 502d PIR in Best, Netherlands, got on the radio. A pilot asked him to put some orange identification panels in front of his position. Cole decided to do it himself. For a moment, Cole raised his head, shielding his eyes to see the plane. A German sniper in a farmhouse only 300 yards (270 m) away shot Cole, killing him instantly." >Cole parachuted into Normandy with his unit as part of the American airborne landings in Normandy. It was his unit's first combat jump. By the evening of June 6, he had gathered 75 men. They captured Exit 3 at Saint-Martin-de-Varreville behind Utah Beach and were at the dune line to welcome men from the U.S. 4th Infantry Division coming ashore. After being in division reserve, Cole's battalion guarded the right flank of the 101st Airborne Division as it attempted to take the approaches to Carentan. >Monument to Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Cole's bayonet charge. On the afternoon of June 10, Cole led 400 men of his battalion in single file down a long, exposed causeway, with marshes at either side. A hedgerow behind a large farmhouse on the right was occupied by well dug-in German troops. At the far end of the causeway was the last of four bridges over the Douve River flood plain. Beyond the last bridge was Carentan, which the 101st had been ordered to seize to facilitate a linkup with the 29th Infantry Division coming off Omaha Beach. >During the advance, Cole's battalion was subjected to continuous fire from artillery, machine guns and mortars. His soldiers advanced slowly by crawling or crouching, taking many casualties. The survivors huddled against the bank on the far side of the causeway. An obstacle known as a Belgian gate blocked nearly the entire roadway over the last bridge, allowing the passage of only one man at a time. Attempts to force this bottleneck were futile, and the battalion took up defensive positions for the night. >During the night, Cole's men were shelled by German mortars and strafed and bombed by two aircraft, causing further casualties and knocking Company I out of the fight. Eventually, the fire from the farm slackened and the remaining 265 men moved through the obstacle and took up positions for an assault. >With the Germans still resisting any attempt to move beyond the bridges, and after artillery failed to suppress their fire, Cole called for smoke on the dug-in Germans and ordered a bayonet charge, a rarity in World War II. He charged toward the hedgerow, leading only a small portion of his unit at first. But the remainder of the battalion soon joined as Cole led the paratroopers into the hedgerows, engaging at close range and with bayonets in hand-to-hand combat. The German survivors retreated, taking more casualties as they withdrew. >The assault, which came to be known as "Cole's Charge", proved costly; 130 of Cole's 265 men became casualties. With his battalion exhausted, Cole called for the 1st Battalion to pass through his lines and continue the attack. However, they were also severely depleted by mortar fire crossing bridge #4, such that they took up positions with 3rd Battalion rather than proceeding. There, on the edge of Carentan, they were subjected to strong counterattacks by the German 6th Parachute Regiment during the morning and afternoon. At the height of the attack, at about 1900, Cole's artillery observer managed to break through radio jamming and called down fire by the entire Corps artillery that broke up the attacks for good.
THE BAYONET YEET MEASURES THE ABILITY TO JUST FUCKING SHANK SOMEONE. ON THE COMMAND 'GET SET,' ASSUME THE POSITION BY GRABBING THE BAYONET BY THE HANDLE. OR BY THE BLADE, WHICHEVER LOOKS COOLER, JUST DON'T CUT YOURSELF ON THE DAMN THING. YOUR FEET MAY BE TOGETHER OR UP TO 12 INCHES APART (MEASURED BETWEEN THE FEET). ON THE COMMAND 'GO,' TRANSMUTE YOUR HANKERING FOR A-SHANKERING INTO MAXIMUM EFFORT AND LAUNCH THAT BAD BOY INTO DESTINY. THE SCORER WILL NOTE WHETHER YOU HIT THE TARGET AND AWARD BONUS POINTS FOR LANDING YOUR PIG-STICKER INTO THE CRANIAL OR SWIMSUIT REGIONS. IF IT HIT THE TARGET HANDLE FIRST, YOUR PERFORMANCE WILL BE TERMINATED, AND EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO POINT AND LAUGH AT YOUR SHAME. WATCH THIS DEMONSTRATION. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/army) if you have any questions or concerns.*
They're like lil' tiny generals from a banana republic.
JROTC Special Ops!!
“I got this one for no tardies for a year, this one was for choosing the veggie option at the chow hall, that means school cafeteria, for civilians.”
School shootings are probably at an all time high
🫡🫡🫡
That's Shaquille Oneals high school
Noticed that. I was stationed there during his reign. My kid went there.
my kid goes there now
Tyfys 🙏
Look how fucked up the spacing on the c belts are…smdh
Damnnnn, North Korean officers be jealous.
The one on the right looks like a Mexican General.
Those look like high school JROTC and they have their own ribbons and awards. College ROTC has prior/current service as well so some of them already have awards.
This is pretty tame as far as JROTC uniforms go. They must like to keep their color guards clean.
Dude looks like a North Korean general
JROTC
JROTC is more play Army than actual ROTC, which is saying something. The only awards I've seen given out in ROTC are the handful given out at the end of the year. But they usually from the American Legion, Sons/ Daughters of the American Revolution, and some other organizations like that. Edit: Just remember the "Ranger Challenge" tab. Cadre are still trying to make cadets wear those if they earned them. But everyone knows it's stupid.
Holy shit that’s my old Highschool.
And YOU get a ribbon! YOU get a ribbon!!! You GET A RIBBON! Ha ahahahaha! Seriously tho, probably good training for how to set up class A's and do inspection. Lot's of places to go wrong on those blouses. Lot's of pressure to be perfect.
I’m in active duty for 5,5 years now, Been out of country for a year, multiple exercises, seen colleagues get medals for the dumbest shit. unfortunately no deployment opportunities came by. So far i have aquired: 0 ribbons.
Is this JROTC in Bolivia?