Program History and Info
The Hillgrove Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) was established in 2009 and commissioned in 2010. Initially a part of NJROTC Area-12, we migrated to Area-9 in 2024 with our headquarters and Area Manager (Dr. Matt Jordan) located in Smyrna, GA. Hillgrove quickly established itself as one of the top units in the state and nation, holding numerous Orienteering, Drone, Rifle, and Academic State Championship titles. Hillgrove has also been designated a “DISTINGUISHED UNIT” for 12 consecutive years (2015-2026); an honor reserved for only the top performing NJROTC units nationally. Our annual cadet enrollment is approximately 100 cadets.
Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a citizenship development program. The NJROTC program was authorized by the JROTC Vitalization Act of 1964. The mission of the NJROTC program is “to instill in students the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” The NJROTC curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by community service activities, academic, drill, marksmanship, orienteering, and drone competitions, visits to industry and college campuses, and numerous other activities and trips. We follow and instill the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment and feel that active cadets will see the greatest benefits in personal growth, leadership development, and the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Quite simply, our goals are teach and actively engage our cadets in academics, citizenship, service, and competition, all while preparing them to be the best versions of themselves as they prepare for life after high school, wherever that may be.
There are costs associated with field trips, competition teams, and other activities within our program, however, all required uniforms and learning materials are supplied at no cost to the cadet. NJROTC is an elective class (CTAE) and part of the cadet's daily school schedule. NJROTC is NOT a military recruiting program and cadets have no military obligation to serve from participating in the NJROTC program. Cadets are required to maintain grooming standards (i.e. haircuts for gentleman, etc.) and wear their NJROTC uniform (usually weekly) during the school year. Should a cadet desire to pursue a military career, they can receive up to a 2-step enlisted pay increase (approx. $4K/yr) or access to military scholarships if interested in pursuing a commission as a military officer. Qualified cadets are eligible to apply for ROTC scholarships or appointments to military academies, including scholarships only available to NJROTC cadets. Here at Hillgrove we hope to "Better prepare our students for whatever their chosen career path is after high school."
NJROTC/PE/Health Credit: The Cobb County School District allows 3 credits in NJROTC to satisfy the Health/BPE high school graduation requirement. Students will earn four credits for three NJROTC classes (3 NJROTC credits, plus Health/BPE). THIS MEANS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE HEALTH/BPE IF YOU TAKE NJROTC. In many cases, this allows the schedule space needed, particularly for freshman, to be able to participate in the NJROTC program. While it is desired to have cadets enrolled both semesters each year, in some circumstances, based on academic requirements, cadets may participate fully in the program by being enrolled in only one semester. While there are many opportunities for extra-curricular team activities in NJROTC, these are optional. Cadets are graded on work completed in class and service requirements provided through the program. This simply means that ANY STUDENT at Hillgrove can easily participate in any other program, sport, or club activity while at Hillgrove, while simultaneously being an amazing cadet. In fact, those who do participate in other school sports, groups, and activities are typically our best cadets and students at Hillgrove. You too can do it all!
Please reach out to program instructors if you have any questions relating to our program. We are all here for the same purpose, STUDENT SUCCESS. We look forward to you becoming a part of our team!
Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a citizenship development program. The NJROTC program was authorized by the JROTC Vitalization Act of 1964. The mission of the NJROTC program is “to instill in students the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” The NJROTC curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by community service activities, academic, drill, marksmanship, orienteering, and drone competitions, visits to industry and college campuses, and numerous other activities and trips. We follow and instill the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment and feel that active cadets will see the greatest benefits in personal growth, leadership development, and the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Quite simply, our goals are teach and actively engage our cadets in academics, citizenship, service, and competition, all while preparing them to be the best versions of themselves as they prepare for life after high school, wherever that may be.
There are costs associated with field trips, competition teams, and other activities within our program, however, all required uniforms and learning materials are supplied at no cost to the cadet. NJROTC is an elective class (CTAE) and part of the cadet's daily school schedule. NJROTC is NOT a military recruiting program and cadets have no military obligation to serve from participating in the NJROTC program. Cadets are required to maintain grooming standards (i.e. haircuts for gentleman, etc.) and wear their NJROTC uniform (usually weekly) during the school year. Should a cadet desire to pursue a military career, they can receive up to a 2-step enlisted pay increase (approx. $4K/yr) or access to military scholarships if interested in pursuing a commission as a military officer. Qualified cadets are eligible to apply for ROTC scholarships or appointments to military academies, including scholarships only available to NJROTC cadets. Here at Hillgrove we hope to "Better prepare our students for whatever their chosen career path is after high school."
NJROTC/PE/Health Credit: The Cobb County School District allows 3 credits in NJROTC to satisfy the Health/BPE high school graduation requirement. Students will earn four credits for three NJROTC classes (3 NJROTC credits, plus Health/BPE). THIS MEANS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE HEALTH/BPE IF YOU TAKE NJROTC. In many cases, this allows the schedule space needed, particularly for freshman, to be able to participate in the NJROTC program. While it is desired to have cadets enrolled both semesters each year, in some circumstances, based on academic requirements, cadets may participate fully in the program by being enrolled in only one semester. While there are many opportunities for extra-curricular team activities in NJROTC, these are optional. Cadets are graded on work completed in class and service requirements provided through the program. This simply means that ANY STUDENT at Hillgrove can easily participate in any other program, sport, or club activity while at Hillgrove, while simultaneously being an amazing cadet. In fact, those who do participate in other school sports, groups, and activities are typically our best cadets and students at Hillgrove. You too can do it all!
Please reach out to program instructors if you have any questions relating to our program. We are all here for the same purpose, STUDENT SUCCESS. We look forward to you becoming a part of our team!
