jrotc presentation of colors

What does jrotc color guard do?

By: Author Color With Leo

The JROTC color guard is an important part of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. The color guard presents the national, state, and school colors at various events and ceremonies. This demonstrates discipline, teamwork, and respect for the flag and what it represents. Let’s take a closer look at what the JROTC color guard does.

Presentation of the Colors

The main responsibility of the JROTC color guard is to properly present the colors at events. This includes marching in formation to precisely unfold, exhibit, and retire the flags. Common events where the color guard presents the colors include:

• School assemblies
• Sporting events
• Community events
• Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies
• Retirement ceremonies
• Change of command ceremonies
• Dining in/dining out events
• Military balls and formal events

The color guard marches in, presents the colors, leads the Pledge of Allegiance or national anthem, and marches out. The solemnity and precision demonstrate respect for the flag.

Training and Practice

Being part of the color guard requires extensive training and practice. Cadets must learn intricate marching maneuvers, facing movements, flag handling, and timing/commands. Practice sessions develop teamwork and discipline among squad members. Some key skills include:

• Marching in formation – Marching in step as a synchronized unit
• Facing movements – Precise pivots, turns, and facing changes
• Flag handling – Proper techniques for unfolding, exhibiting, dipping, and retiring each flag
• Commands and timing – Performing each sequence precisely on command
• Rifle/saber maneuvers – If armed color guard, proper handling of rifles/sabers

Cadets practice these drills regularly to perform flawlessly at events. The color guard often serves as the “face” of the JROTC program, so performance reflects on the entire unit.

Uniform and Appearance

Color guard members must maintain a high standard of uniform wear and personal appearance. Key uniform components include:

• Service dress uniforms – Pressed and proper fitting
• Helmet/covers – Shined and securely fitting
• White gloves – Clean and in good condition
• Spats/leggings – Properly fitted and snug
• Footwear – Shined black shoes/boots
• Insignia and ribbons – Proper placement and shiny

In addition to neat uniforms, cadets must exhibit military bearing with good posture, organized hair, and crisp movements. This projects professionalism and military orderliness.

Types of Color Guards

JROTC color guards can take several forms, based on the number of members and equipment carried. Common types include:

The armed color guard adds an extra layer of complexity with rifle/saber maneuvers. Exhibition guards have more members and integrate acrobatic flag spins, tosses, and exchanges for demonstrations.

Selection Process

Cadets undergo a competitive selection process to join the color guard. Requirements may include:

• Teacher/instructor recommendations
• Color guard application
• Marching and drill evaluations
• Uniform inspection
• Past academic and disciplinary records

The selection process aims to identify the most qualified cadets who demonstrate leadership, discipline, skill, teamwork, and commitment. Selected members represent the best of the JROTC program.

Duties and Responsibilities

In addition to marching and presenting the colors, JROTC color guard members have other duties and responsibilities. These include:

• Attending all practices and training sessions
• Memorizing and executing commands/routines
• Caring for uniforms and equipment
• Polishing helmets, buckles, shoes, and weapons
• Storing flags properly when not in use
• Staying for required event durations
• Assisting with setting up/taking down equipment
• Maintaining academic and disciplinary standards

Members who do not fulfill duties may be dismissed from the team. Belonging to the color guard requires commitment, effort, and responsibility.

Benefits of Color Guard

Serving on the JROTC color guard provides many benefits to cadets. Some of the key benefits include:

• Leadership skills – Opportunity to hold leadership ranks and direct the team
• Confidence – Performing builds self-confidence and poise
• Military bearing – Develops professional demeanor and conduct
• Teamwork – Fosters camaraderie and collaboration skills
• Attention to detail – Enhances focus through perfection of minute details
• Public presentation – Provides experience in public performances
• Sense of service – Instills pride in ceremonial contributions

In addition to benefitting cadets, the color guard also builds goodwill and support for the JROTC program.

Advanced Leadership Roles

As color guard members gain experience, they may progress into leadership roles with additional duties. Common leadership roles include:

Taking on leadership roles allows experienced cadets to further develop their skills and train newer members.

In summary, the JROTC color guard serves a highly specialized and important role. Presenting the colors with precision and professionalism demonstrates respect for the nation and its symbols. The intensive training promotes excellence, teamwork, discipline, and leadership capabilities. Cadets take great pride in representing their school and the JROTC program at ceremonial events. The color guard’s dedication and performance sets an outstanding example of citizenship and service.

Honor, Courage and Commitment

Color guard.

Color SGT./Color Guard. The PHHS Color Sgt. is selected from the top performing Junior Class Cadets and directed to take charge of the Unit Colors and all Color Guard Activities. The NJROTC Color Guards are expected to present the Colors (National Ensign and Unit Flag) proudly and with precision in parades, ceremonies, and at sporting events. Color Guard members are normally drawn from, and also participate on, the drill team. They are an elite unit and as such are expected to set the highest standards for the unit in terms of sharpness, discipline, grooming, performance, and conduct. Instructions for presenting the Colors are contained in SECNAVINST 5060.22 and the Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual.

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LHS JROTC Presentation of Colors at Court Opening Ceremony

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Portland Public Schools board narrowly OKs path for JROTC programs

The policy revision explicitly allows district high schools to start Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps programs if they want them. There was confusion on whether the policy was needed and if it makes it easier or harder to establish these groups.

High schools in Portland Public Schools now have a path to start JROTC programs as part of their career technical education offerings — if school administrators want them.

The U.S. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces. Participating students learn the JROTC curriculum , including lessons in leadership, health and wellness, physical fitness, first aid and geography. Cadets then participate in co-curricular activities to demonstrate what they’ve learned, such as exhibition military drill competitions and air rifle competitions.

JROTC programs are established in high schools and some middle schools across the country, as well as U.S. military bases around the world. The program is described online as “one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world.”

There are only five programs in Oregon at high schools in Madras, Lebanon, Salem, Oregon City and Troutdale.

The Portland Public school board Tuesday evening voted 4-3 to change the district’s military careers policy in an attempt to outline a clearer pathway to establish JROTC programs.

Board members Michelle DePass, Andrew Scott and Patte Sullivan voted against the change. Student representative Frankie Silverstein also voiced her opposition on behalf of the district’s student council and other peers.

Portland’s new policy allows schools to offer JROTC but does not require it.

The district’s military policy, originally adopted in 2001, already said the district will not prohibit a teacher, counselor or administrator from providing information to a student about career and educational opportunities in the military or from referring them to a recruitment office.

Schools will provide necessary records and recommendations to military offices and institutions to facilitate scholarship, appointments or enlistment for military services, according to the policy. And now, with the approved revision this week, the policy expressly allows a high school principal to establish a JRTOC program in consultation with the superintendent.

District officials said JROTC programs would still have to adhere to the requirements that guide the creation of any other career tech program .

Proponents of the policy change — particularly school board Vice-Chair Herman Greene, who sponsored it — have said over the past several weeks that offering more career tech programs will help keep kids in school, and they want students to know all their options.

FILE: Portland Public Schools Vice-Chair Herman Greene helped a policy change that provides a pathway to JROTC programs.

Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB

Not every student will graduate high school and move on to college. Some will go directly into the workforce, learn a trade or join the military. Greene and other supporters see this as a way to help educate students on their choices.

“We must vote yes, because, as a public school system, we have an obligation to prepare our students for all possible career paths, not just the ones that we like or deem valuable,” Greene said in his prepared comments Tuesday night. “And when they decide that they are interested in pursuing something, we should be there to support their decisions.”

Greene said the proposal stemmed from a letter from an anonymous student.

“A student came to me out of concern that if they shared what they really wanted, the counselor at their school would withhold scholarship opportunities for them because they completely disagreed with their position,” he told the board. “[The student] talked to this counselor, and said, ‘This is what they wanted,’ and the counselor had told them, ‘Well, it’s OK. But you don’t have to do that. You can do this, and you can do that.’”

But there was confusion among board members about precisely what they were being asked to do, and whether it was needed.

Board member Scott said that coming into the meeting, he was under the impression that the district actively did not allow JROTC programs in local schools and that’s why they were approving the policy change.

However, during board discussions it became clear that isn’t the case. There’s nothing stopping schools from establishing these programs now, said board member Eddie Wang, and, in fact, putting the new revisions into motion could actually make it much harder to establish a JROTC program.

Wang pointed out that, according to the proposal, any JROTC programs will have to be established in a way that aligns with PPS’s “academic standards, policies and administrative directives.” But the district has an administrative directive restricting military recruitment in Portland schools — something many people argue JRTOC does.

In that line of thinking, Wang argued the new policy could be used to actively prevent JROTC programs.

Scott recommended the proposal go back to the board’s policy committee to sort out the confusion. There were also unanswered questions about the program’s fiscal impact on the district and claims that JROTC programs do not allow some students, including immigrants, to participate. The board ultimately decided to move ahead with the regular vote.

Of the public comment collected and presented in Tuesday night’s board documents, only one person voiced support for the policy — former marine and state Rep. James Hieb, R-Canby.

The remaining 16 or so who submitted comments from roughly the last month, as well as a handful who testified in person Tuesday, were strongly opposed.

Veterans for Peace, About Face, War Resisters League-Portland, some PPS students and individual veterans were among the opposition.

They argue the JROTC is military training and recruitment and that it encourages students to see the world and history “through the lens of war and violence.” Other critics also raised concerns that these efforts often target students of color and that JROTC programs in Portland schools would likely target low-income schools.

Some argued having JROTC programs in the district violates PPS’ commitment to be trauma-informed , meaning they take into account how adverse experiences affect kids, and that it goes against the community’s values.

Further, they argued that military jobs are not like other careers. Opponents listed possible violence, death, PTSD and suicide seen in combat or when soldiers return as reasons why serving in the military differs from other potential jobs.

Portland resident Sylvia McGauley submitted testimony about her experience teaching for several years at Reynolds High School, which houses the JROTC program in Troutdale. She argued that JROTC staff, who apply through the Army , are often underqualified to teach in a public school setting and the programs introduce added expenses the district can’t afford.

Additionally, McGauley said, investigations by both the Military Times and New York Times found JROTC personnel have been convicted of sexual harassment and abuse of students at disproportionately higher rates than other school staff.

Read the adopted policy change and public testimony here .

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