The Bruin Battalion is celebrating over 10 years in Forest Park High School and in Prince William County Public Schools developing global learners, dynamic leaders, and motivated young citizens. Join us this year as we conduct events throughout the school year to recognize our unit history.

The Army JROTC program originated as part of the National Defense Act of 1916. The principle of maintaining national programs of military training for citizens attending school was validated during Congressional hearings preceding passage of the ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964. The very first program was established at Saint John's High School in Washington, DC one hundred years ago. The Forest Park High School's JROTC program was established in 2011. The program is rated as an Honor Unit with Distinction for over 5 years. This is the highest rating possible of an Army JROTC program.

The JROTC Program mission philosophy is "To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens." The JROTC Program is a service to our nation that provides cadets the motivation and skills to remain drug free, graduate from high school, and become successful citizens. The Program works to instill in students in secondary educational institutions the Army's Core Values of citizenship, service to the community and the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. Our JROTC program assists in the total development of the high school student so that the cadet can take his/her place as a responsible citizen. Upon graduation, our mission is to assist FPHS Cadets to qualify for and obtain acceptance to schools of higher learning, appointments to Service Academies, scholarships (ROTC and non-ROTC), or enlistment in the Armed Forces or employment.

The purpose of Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), is to teach high school students leadership, the value of citizenship, responsibility, a sense of accomplishment, while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork, and self-discipline. Participation in the program will involve a combination of practical and fundamental leadership skills training in which cadets will learn how to lead, follow and work as a member of a team. Using an updated digital curriculum platform, cadets study history, human behavior, leadership, citizenship, communication skills, physical conditioning, first aid, and geography/map reading with the goals of building strong moral character, discipline, responsibility, and confidence. Cadets also support their community by planning and implementing community service-learning projects or participating in them. Cadet participation also is demonstrated in two other areas: 1) JROTC competitive teams (FPHS can have up to four or five competitive teams that compete in local meets or in National competitions. 2) Cadets experience hands on leadership training through their cadet chain of command. Cadets plan and conduct all training and activities, and attend JROTC summer camp, JCLC (JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge) for a week at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, or Virginia Tech University for STEM exposure and leadership training.

Contact: Email Jacqueline Bullock at [email protected] or call 703-583-3200