Go Army?Go Army?

By Diane LeBasBy Diane LeBas

Inquiry QuestionInquiry Question

Why do Trenton Central High School Why do Trenton Central High School Students Join Jr. ROTC? (Jr. Reserve Students Join Jr. ROTC? (Jr. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)?Officers’ Training Corps)?

Do Students Imagine a Future in the Do Students Imagine a Future in the Army? Army?

What Benefits Are They Looking For?What Benefits Are They Looking For?

Background DemographicsBackground Demographics

75% of Trentonians are members of racial 75% of Trentonians are members of racial minority groups.minority groups.

Median household income of $31,074 is Median household income of $31,074 is about 30% below the national average.about 30% below the national average.

Violent crime rate=2.95x national averageViolent crime rate=2.95x national average 60% of Trentonians graduate from high 60% of Trentonians graduate from high

school; 80% nationwide.school; 80% nationwide. 52% of 11th graders pass language arts 52% of 11th graders pass language arts

HSPA (2003-04)HSPA (2003-04) 32% of 11th graders pass math HSPA32% of 11th graders pass math HSPA

Jr. ROTC at Trenton HighJr. ROTC at Trenton High

An elective, four year academic course An elective, four year academic course Interpersonal skillsInterpersonal skills Conflict resolutionConflict resolution Study skillsStudy skills Leadership skillsLeadership skills U.S. historyU.S. history U.S. civicsU.S. civics U.S. military systemU.S. military system

Mission of Jr. ROTCMission of Jr. ROTCfrom Army’s Jr. ROTC site from Army’s Jr. ROTC site

MethodsMethods

Interview Sergeant Daniel MorganInterview Sergeant Daniel Morgan Look at recruitment brochuresLook at recruitment brochures Check Jr. ROTC objectivesCheck Jr. ROTC objectives Develop list of possible motives for Develop list of possible motives for

joiningjoining Develop and administer survey of Jr. Develop and administer survey of Jr.

ROTC membersROTC members N=44 (all members of minority groups)N=44 (all members of minority groups) Tabulate and analyze dataTabulate and analyze data

Possible Reasons for JoiningPossible Reasons for JoiningJr. ROTCJr. ROTC

To prepare to enter the militaryTo prepare to enter the military To gain higher pay in the militaryTo gain higher pay in the military To gain self-disciplineTo gain self-discipline To gain mental toughnessTo gain mental toughness To gain physical strength To gain physical strength To serve country/patriotismTo serve country/patriotism To gain a college scholarshipTo gain a college scholarship To join a “family-like” groupTo join a “family-like” group

Findings: Most Cited Findings: Most Cited Reasons for Joining Jr. ROTC Reasons for Joining Jr. ROTC

I want to be a good citizen: 88% I want to be a good citizen: 88% I want a college scholarship: 84%I want a college scholarship: 84% I want to become physically stronger: 84%I want to become physically stronger: 84% I want to be mentally tougher: 82%I want to be mentally tougher: 82% I can get a better job after graduation: 80%I can get a better job after graduation: 80% I like the Sergeant who leads the program: I like the Sergeant who leads the program:

80%80%

Additional FindingsAdditional Findings

I want to enter the military: 29%I want to enter the military: 29%

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Discussion:Discussion:

Why do Trenton High School students Why do Trenton High School students join Jr. ROTC?join Jr. ROTC?

Two-thirds are not preparing to enter Two-thirds are not preparing to enter the militarythe military

Trenton High School students do not Trenton High School students do not reflect typical enlistees in terms of reflect typical enlistees in terms of geography, income, or racegeography, income, or race

Typical enlisteesTypical enlistees

Come from rural areasCome from rural areas Come from middle-class areasCome from middle-class areas Come from average, not poor, Come from average, not poor,

householdshouseholds Are not members of minority groupsAre not members of minority groups

Students Want to Be Good Students Want to Be Good CitizensCitizens

88% agreed they joined to become 88% agreed they joined to become good citizens.good citizens.

This is Jr. ROTC’s goal.This is Jr. ROTC’s goal. Represents a search for positive Represents a search for positive

valuesvalues ““I want to change my attitude and I want to change my attitude and

become a better person.” become a better person.”

Mission of Jr. ROTCMission of Jr. ROTCfrom Army’s Jr. ROTC site from Army’s Jr. ROTC site

Students Want ScholarshipsStudents Want Scholarships

84% joined to get college 84% joined to get college scholarships.scholarships.

27% of TCHS students plan to attend 27% of TCHS students plan to attend a four year college, according to the a four year college, according to the DOE Report Card, 2003-2004DOE Report Card, 2003-2004

Trenton High SAT scores are lowTrenton High SAT scores are low ROTC scholarships require active ROTC scholarships require active

serviceservice

Students Want to Be Students Want to Be Physically Strong and Physically Strong and

Mentally ToughMentally Tough 84% seek physical improvement 84% seek physical improvement 82% mental toughness82% mental toughness Seeking image of Army recruitSeeking image of Army recruit Qualities useful in violent Qualities useful in violent

neighborhoodsneighborhoods

Students Seek Better Jobs Students Seek Better Jobs

80% joined to get a better job 80% joined to get a better job Sergeant Morgan believes employers Sergeant Morgan believes employers

value Jr. ROTC experience and hire value Jr. ROTC experience and hire members firstmembers first

Conclusions and Conclusions and ImplicationsImplications

Students do not join to prepare to enlistStudents do not join to prepare to enlist Students seek short-term material benefitsStudents seek short-term material benefits Students seek a distinct community within Students seek a distinct community within

the school with positive social valuesthe school with positive social values Students may be seeking an alternative to Students may be seeking an alternative to

a perceived negative environmenta perceived negative environment Uniforms may allow students to Uniforms may allow students to

differentiate themselves from the rest of differentiate themselves from the rest of the student bodythe student body

Useful ExtensionsUseful Extensions

Compare Jr. ROTC members’ Compare Jr. ROTC members’ perceptions with non-members perceptions with non-members perceptionsperceptions

Track what Jr. ROTC graduates do Track what Jr. ROTC graduates do after high schoolafter high school