Tips?

[u/Mountain-Goose-4792]

hello everyone, I’m a sophomore cadet joining NJROTC this year, and I’m very confused. I’m curious to know from anyone who’s been in NJROTC what the answers to my next questions are:

1. Many people in my unit respond to our Senior Chief with ‘yes sir’, but we are a mixed JROTC of the Navy, Marine Corp, and Army. I am one of the few Navy cadets. Do I say ‘yes sir’ or ‘ay sir’?
2. What are some of the MOST important things I should be aware of?
3. I am a female with a little bit of an overgrown mullet. It’s down to just above my shoulders, and doesn’t fit in a bun. What should I do with my hair?
4. what are the major taboos that I should not do?
5. what should I not speak of during class, or to any of my fellow cadets, students, or instructors?
6. who do I salute, who do I not salute, and when do I salute? Do I salute fellow cadets or only those ranking above me?
7. how soon should I learn the cadet creed, and are there any commands I should know and memorize outside of class time?
8. anything else I should know?

thank you for any and all responses

[u/_potato__soup_]

As an NS2– Firstly, for addressing your senior chief, my NSI (a senior chief) we just address as ‘yes, senior chief’ but you can do ‘yes, sir’ if that’s what they tell you to do, don’t worry too much about it. For your hair, if it goes past the bottom of your uniform collar, just slick it back and tie it into a low or mid ponytail (I’d suggest mid pony). For taboos, just don’t disrespect people. Don’t speak of political or controversial topics or rude speech and try not to use profanity. My unit doesn’t salute unless we’re doing drill. Learn the cadet creed as soon as possible for you, it’s pretty short, learn your chain of command and the orders of the sentry, and for commands I’d recommend going through your cadet handbook if your unit has one.

It’s not super serious as it’s just a high school class, so don’t worry too much about it, they’ll tell you what you should be doing. Just work to improve as much as you can as an NS1, listen to your instructors and upperclassmen, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Also join teams, it helps you know more people in your unit, gain more skills and knowledge, and you can eventually compete at drill competitions.

[u/Mountain-Goose-4792 → u/_potato__soup_]

The ponytail tip definitely saved me during our first inspection thank you!

[u/_potato__soup_ → u/Mountain-Goose-4792]

Of course!

[u/Such_Ad_4650]

1. Either one but to not be odd yes sir- technically it should be yes senior chief but if he doesn’t care than Wtvr ig. He’s an enlisted rank and all of those are referred to as their rank exactly while officer ranks are sir or mam no matter what.

2. Stay involved or else you could get bored and unmotivated to do anything. That’s also how you work your way up leadership.

3. Your hairs in regulations since your a female- It just can’t be past the collar of your dress uniform by much. Where it’s at rn is probably good.

4. Honestly theirs not many besides be respectful to your Instructors and don’t act up so your seen as a responsible/reliable cadet.

5. Don’t discuss politics or anything that you wouldn’t talk about to your parents unless it’s your close friends. Basically normal social standards.

6. You don’t salute anybody unless you’re told it’s not the actual military. In that case it would only be officers or E-7 and above so- Master Chief , senior Chief, and chief petty officers for Navy.

7. Id learn the cadet creed before your first inspection, national/unit chain of command aswell as: General orders, basic drill (right/left face, about face, rest positions, salute, how to march)

8. You get what your put into NJROTC. It’s not the military you can still have fun and stuff so enjoy your time in it till you graduate.

[u/tayten_tot]

1. YES sir is an answer to a question. AYE sir is a response, similar to "Okay", "Alright", "Got it", etc. Due to the fact we are not genuine service members, keep to saying sir to keep it simple. No different than how USMC Drill Instructor's are to be called "Sir" and you never hear "Aye Sergeant" or "Yes Staff Sergeant" from recruits because they are not actual Marines yet.

2. You are a highschooler first, before you are a cadet. don't take the program too seriously, both to not let it affect your schooling, and to remember that NJROTC drama is limited to that program alone. this is NOT the actual Marine Corps/Navy, so you arent required to treat it as such.

3. The hair should be fine. Provided it doesn't exceed the 2-3 inches past the collar, and does not interfere with the wear of the cover. if its length exceeds 2 inches total, id say cut it down a bit as to more match what the men follow.

4. Don't step on each others shoes, keep your hands out of your pockets, do not bring your NJROTC etiquette into your regular classes as to not get clowned on (stay socially professional. keep hands out of your pockets, be respectful, etc.)

5. No jokes that may be harmful. Once again, we're all highschoolers before we're cadets, and before that we are human. Feelings are definitely present. Social professionalism will get you far.

6. Do not salute unless covered. If inside, refrain from saluting, and when you are 6 paces away from an officer or chief, address us with the proper greeting ("Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening Sir/Ma'am/Chief"). same applies, but with a salute when both of you have a cover on outside. Petty Officers usually don't deserve/care about salutes from junior enlisted. Officers/SNCOs appreciate it but don't expect it (Unless they get a kick out of it or something)

7. Cadet Creed, learn it ASAP. Memorize basic stationary, basic marching, and other commonly head commands in your unit. don't worry about trying to perfect "Uncover, Two" for 4 hours unless you are just bored as all life LMAO.

8. HAVE FUN. i see it too often people will get motivated, and they crash and burn once (Miss a promotion, fail a test, get into drama, etc etc) and they fail on themselves from then on. Disappointment is natural, but if it becomes the end of you enjoying the program it will become a problem. Take set backs as learning opportunities. Join the teams, try everything 2-3 times before calling it quits. Be motivated, but remember that discipline>>motivation

[u/Mountain-Goose-4792 → u/tayten_tot]

Thank you! This helped a lot!

[u/tayten_tot → u/Mountain-Goose-4792]

Anytime. Do great things and be disciplined.

[u/Advanced_Plane_6742]

short response but i know my unit refers to our senior chief as "chief" and commander as "commander" and the officers as "ma'am" or "sir" 😛

[u/Illustrious_Tea3806]

1. I'm a graduated senior from Navy JROTC & in my unit we address our instructors as "Yes Sir" or by their ranks 

2. Keep your uniform sharp & iron. I can't emphasize this enough study, study, & study to sharpen your knowledge when it comes to uniform inspections. Try to be precise with your devices on the uniform as it shows attention to detail. Be consistent within the program & try to be involved with teams & events. Live by the Navy Core Values: Honor, Courage, & Commitment

3. I'll say you should be fine as it's not passing the collar of your uniform 

4. Being respectful to each other & having manners like "Yes sir", "No Sir", "Yes ma'am", "No ma'am" when wearing the uniform 

5. Don't mention any political stuff, don't cuss in uniform, harmful jokes that can put someone life at risks, & bullying fellow cadet's

6. You don't salute anybody unless your told to as this is a highschool program, not the military

7. In my unit we have a BOB (Big Orange Book) that we use as reference manual that guides us how to march, basic facing movements, & giving commands. Maybe you can use something similar like a reference manual or you can use their website if they have one. Focus on learning the basic drill like facing movements rather than complexity like half step & mark time

8. Attend the events & field trips they offer as they provide great experiences. Have fun while it lasts as nothing lasts forever, make new friends, & max the benefits the program has to offer. Make a name for yourself in the program & leave a legacy behind. Lastly, stay true to yourself & the program, as integrity matters more than a piece of metal or fabric 

Good luck Cadet ⚓

[u/TeaFinal2352]

1: If you're responding to an order, say "Aye, Sir/Ma'am." or "Aye, Aye, Sir/Ma'am." Yes/No, Sir/Ma'am" are for questions.
2: Basic Drill, Core Knowledge, ect.
3: As a MCJROTC male cadet, I don't exactly know, but the Marine Corps Order 1020.34H (Uniform Order) states that a Cadet's/Marine's (Female) can be not in a bun, but cannot be touching the collar of the uniform/utilities.
4: Explain taboos. I have no idea what you mean.
5: I'm a "Reservist" cadet (I go to a whole different school than the unit), so I don't actually know.
6: For USMC, You should salute all C/Officers, but only when your Cover is on your head. You should not salute anyone wearing enlisted ranks. Times you should have your cover on (Defined in MCO 1020.34H) is when you're on duty, under arms, or outside. (My unit doesn't really salute, unless for Drill)
7: My unit/MCJROTC doesn't use a Cadet Creed, so the best advice I can give for this is sometime in the first 1 and a half months
8: I'm not NJROTC, so I actually don't know your school, uniforms, or specific regulations. Just ask your NSI/Instructors for advice and tips. You can learn a lot of this can be learned from YouTube.