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 As you begin to read this fact sheet, I want to make a few important introductory points. First of all, we do not compare ourselves to other programs. We tell cadets not to compare themselves with each other because each person is unique, and our program is also unique. To be blunt, the JROTC program does great things, but it does’t advertise as well as it should. In a changing and highly competitive environment, we must step up and say what a great program JROTC is for the student, family, Community, and Nation.
Publicity would work wonders for the program. The fact is that many students, especially middle school students aren’t aware of our program or what it’s about. The Plano East Panther Battalion’s motto is Knowledge + Leadership = Power, but we’re not providing the kids with the knowledge they need to make an informed decision about whether or not to join the program.
We need parents and students to understand that there is NO military service requirement for being in JROTC. The mission of JROTC is to motivate young people to be better citizens, but we also have a huge message about success. Whatever it is cadets aspire to, we want them to be successful, so we try to provide as many tools as possible to help them accomplish their goals.
One of our major topics is motivation. We can offer as much help as is humanly possible, but if the cadet does not have the motivation and the drive, it’s all for naught. That’s why we stress it so much. You can’t accomplish anything without motivation, whether for yourself or someone relying on you. There’s one slight problem; you can’t teach motivation, however the parents and teachers can model it for the student. I’ve heard it said that teachers tell you what you need to know, instructors show you and model what you need to do, and we are Army Instructors.
 We show our students what they need to do to be successful in any situation. Motivation, leadership, teamwork, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, responsibility, personal courage, commitment, conviction, confidence, self-discipline, and we provide them with role models and tools to help them on their way to success; counseling, mentoring, and guidance. We also provide them the knowledge they need to be successful in this modern world, to be financially responsible, to understand the values this country was founded on, and to communicate effectively.
We also advocate success in all areas of life, including physical health and wellness. To support that message we offer teams {Academics, Color Guard, Marksmanship, Drill Team, Orienteering, and Physical Training}, which are perhaps the cadets’ favorite activities. This gives them a chance to do something fun outside the classroom and to participate in competitions. Teams are a uniquely different experience than what we do in the classroom. They provide a little something extra, like the icing on the cake. (More information can be found on Teams Page .)
We also stress to our cadets the importance of giving back to the community {Blood Drives, Canned Food Drives, Elder Care (Senior Senior Prom), Veterans Care, Soldiers Sponsership, Park Clean up, and so on…}. As much as we help the cadets, they are also a great help to us. They are our greatest advertisement. Many cadets join for the “military stuff,” but they stay for the other stuff. Any cadet that thoroughly enjoys the program is the equivalent of a walking billboard, and the cadets can help us advertise and emphasize those points of JROTC that would be most appealing to young people. Ask any cadet what he/she enjoys most about the program or what he/she has gotten out of it, and that’s what we emphasize on any Panther Battalion posters, flyers, or pamphlets.
Ultimately, we are the Center of Excellence for Citizenship, in a values-based program that goes above and beyond just getting kids on the path to college; we put them on the path to success for America’s future.
Panther Battalion Motto, "Knowledge + Leadership = Power"
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