The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a program you can join in high school that focuses on building character, teaching leadership skills, and promoting good citizenship. It’s offered at many high schools across the country.
Like the U.S. military, JROTC uses a rank structure to help cadets learn leadership and advance within the program. Understanding these JROTC ranks is key to understanding how the program works.
This article will walk you through the rank structures for the Army, Navy (NJROTC), Air Force (AFJROTC), and even the Space Force (SFJROTC) programs.
What are JROTC ranks?
JROTC uses a rank structure similar to the one used by its corresponding military branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, or Space Force). Each branch has enlisted positions and officer positions.
As a cadet, you’ll move through the ranks based on your dedication, performance, and leadership skills.
Understanding the rank structure can help cadets and parents set goals and make the most of the program.
Army JROTC Ranks
Like the U.S. Army, JROTC has a hierarchy of ranks, from the lowest enlisted cadet to the highest-ranking cadet officer. Cadets earn promotions to higher ranks based on their performance, leadership skills, and time in the program.
Enlisted Ranks
These are the entry-level ranks in the JROTC program:
- Cadet Private (C/PVT)
- Cadet Private First Class (C/PFC)
- Cadet Corporal (C/CPL)
Non-Commissioned Officer Ranks
Cadet NCOs have demonstrated leadership potential and are given increased responsibilities within their units:
- Cadet Sergeant (C/SGT)
- Cadet Staff Sergeant (C/SSG)
- Cadet Sergeant First Class (C/SFC)
- Cadet Master Sergeant (C/MSG)
- Cadet First Sergeant (C/1SG)
- Cadet Sergeant Major (C/SGM)
- Cadet Command Sergeant Major (C/CSM)
Officer Ranks
Cadet officers are typically in leadership positions within the battalion. They’re responsible for planning, organizing, and executing events and training exercises.
- Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2LT)
- Cadet First Lieutenant (C/1LT)
- Cadet Captain (C/CPT)
- Cadet Major (C/MAJ)
- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel (C/LTC)
- Cadet Colonel (C/COL)
Navy JROTC Ranks (NJROTC)
Like other JROTC programs, the Navy JROTC has its own set of ranks, mirroring those in the U.S. Navy itself. Here’s a breakdown:
Enlisted Ranks
- Cadet Seaman Recruit (C/SR)
- Cadet Seaman Apprentice (C/SA)
- Cadet Seaman (C/SN)
Petty Officer Ranks
- Cadet Petty Officer Third Class (C/PO3)
- Cadet Petty Officer Second Class (C/PO2)
- Cadet Petty Officer First Class (C/PO1)
Cadet Chief Petty Officer Ranks
- Cadet Chief Petty Officer (C/CPO)
- Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer (C/SCPO)
- Cadet Master Chief Petty Officer (C/MCPO)
Officer Ranks
- Cadet Ensign (C/ENS)
- Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade (C/LTJG)
- Cadet Lieutenant (C/LT)
- Cadet Lieutenant Commander (C/LCDR)
- Cadet Commander (C/CDR)
Air Force JROTC Ranks (AFJROTC)
The Air Force JROTC program uses a rank system modeled after the active-duty Air Force. Cadets progress through these ranks based on their performance, leadership skills, and time in the program.
Enlisted Ranks
These are the entry-level ranks in the AFJROTC program:
- Cadet Airman Basic (C/AB)
- Cadet Airman (C/Amn)
- Cadet Airman First Class (C/A1C)
Non-Commissioned Officer Ranks
NCOs are cadets who have demonstrated leadership potential and have taken on increased responsibilities:
- Cadet Senior Airman (C/SrA)
- Cadet Staff Sergeant (C/SSgt)
- Cadet Technical Sergeant (C/TSgt)
- Cadet Master Sergeant (C/MSgt)
- Cadet Senior Master Sergeant (C/SMSgt)
- Cadet Chief Master Sergeant (C/CMSgt)
Officer Ranks
Officer ranks are held by cadets in leadership positions, and the ranks are the same as those used in other branches of JROTC:
- Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2LT)
- Cadet First Lieutenant (C/1LT)
- Cadet Captain (C/CPT)
- Cadet Major (C/MAJ)
- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel (C/LTC)
- Cadet Colonel (C/COL)
Space Force JROTC Ranks (SFJROTC)
The Space Force JROTC program is still pretty new, so you might not know much about it.
Here’s a quick rundown of the rank structure:
- Enlisted Ranks:
- Cadet Specialist 1 (C/SPC1)
- Cadet Specialist 2 (C/SPC2)
- Cadet Specialist 3 (C/SPC3)
- Cadet Specialist 4 (C/SPC4)
- Non-Commissioned Officer Ranks:
- Cadet Staff Sergeant (C/SSgt)
- Cadet Technical Sergeant (C/TSGT)
- Cadet Master Sergeant (C/MSGT)
- Cadet Senior Sergeant (C/SMSgt)
- Cadet Chief Master Sergeant (C/CMSGT)
- Officer Ranks: (Same as other branches)
- Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2LT)
- Cadet First Lieutenant (C/1LT)
- Cadet Captain (C/CPT)
- Cadet Major (C/MAJ)
- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel (C/LTC)
- Cadet Colonel (C/COL)
Why understanding JROTC ranks matters
It’s important for cadets and their parents to understand how rank works in JROTC. Knowing the structure helps cadets set goals for moving up in the program.
Each rank comes with its own set of responsibilities and expectations. As cadets advance, they take on more duties.
But remember, JROTC isn’t just about ranks. It’s also about building leadership skills and developing a sense of teamwork.
Closing Thoughts
From Army to Marine Corps to Navy and Air Force, the JROTC rank structures offer a path for growth and achievement. JROTC provides a valuable foundation for leadership and good citizenship, and cadets should strive for advancement while embracing the core values of their particular branch of the military.