Go Army? By Diane LeBas

Inquiry Question Why do Trenton Central High School Students Join Jr. ROTC? (Jr. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)? Why do Trenton Central High School Students Join Jr. ROTC? (Jr. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)? Do Students Imagine a Future in the Army? Do Students Imagine a Future in the Army? What Benefits Are They Looking For? What Benefits Are They Looking For?

Background Demographics 75% of Trentonians are members of racial minority groups. 75% of Trentonians are members of racial minority groups. Median household income of $31,074 is about 30% below the national average. Median household income of $31,074 is about 30% below the national average. Violent crime rate=2.95x national average Violent crime rate=2.95x national average 60% of Trentonians graduate from high school; 80% nationwide. 60% of Trentonians graduate from high school; 80% nationwide. 52% of 11th graders pass language arts HSPA ( ) 52% of 11th graders pass language arts HSPA ( ) 32% of 11th graders pass math HSPA 32% of 11th graders pass math HSPA

Jr. ROTC at Trenton High An elective, four year academic course An elective, four year academic course Interpersonal skills Interpersonal skills Conflict resolution Conflict resolution Study skills Study skills Leadership skills Leadership skills U.S. history U.S. history U.S. civics U.S. civics U.S. military system U.S. military system

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

Methods Interview Sergeant Daniel Morgan Interview Sergeant Daniel Morgan Look at recruitment brochures Look at recruitment brochures Check Jr. ROTC objectives Check Jr. ROTC objectives Develop list of possible motives for joining Develop list of possible motives for joining Develop and administer survey of Jr. ROTC members Develop and administer survey of Jr. ROTC members N=44 (all members of minority groups) N=44 (all members of minority groups) Tabulate and analyze data Tabulate and analyze data

Possible Reasons for Joining Jr. ROTC To prepare to enter the military To prepare to enter the military To gain higher pay in the military To gain higher pay in the military To gain self-discipline To gain self-discipline To gain mental toughness To gain mental toughness To gain physical strength To gain physical strength To serve country/patriotism To serve country/patriotism To gain a college scholarship To gain a college scholarship To join a “family-like” group To join a “family-like” group

Findings: Most Cited 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: 80% I like the Sergeant who leads the program: 80%

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

Discussion: Why do Trenton High School students join Jr. ROTC? Why do Trenton High School students join Jr. ROTC? Two-thirds are not preparing to enter the military Two-thirds are not preparing to enter the military Trenton High School students do not reflect typical enlistees in terms of geography, income, or race Trenton High School students do not reflect typical enlistees in terms of geography, income, or race

Typical enlistees Come from rural areas Come from rural areas Come from middle-class areas Come from middle-class areas Come from average, not poor, households Come from average, not poor, households Are not members of minority groups Are not members of minority groups

Students Want to Be Good Citizens 88% agreed they joined to become good citizens. 88% agreed they joined to become good citizens. This is Jr. ROTC’s goal. This is Jr. ROTC’s goal. Represents a search for positive values Represents a search for positive values “I want to change my attitude and become a better person.” “I want to change my attitude and become a better person.”

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

Students Want Scholarships 84% joined to get college scholarships. 84% joined to get college scholarships. 27% of TCHS students plan to attend a four year college, according to the DOE Report Card, % of TCHS students plan to attend a four year college, according to the DOE Report Card, Trenton High SAT scores are low Trenton High SAT scores are low ROTC scholarships require active service ROTC scholarships require active service

Students Want to Be Physically Strong and Mentally Tough 84% seek physical improvement 84% seek physical improvement 82% mental toughness 82% mental toughness Seeking image of Army recruit Seeking image of Army recruit Qualities useful in violent neighborhoods Qualities useful in violent neighborhoods

Students Seek Better Jobs 80% joined to get a better job 80% joined to get a better job Sergeant Morgan believes employers value Jr. ROTC experience and hire members first Sergeant Morgan believes employers value Jr. ROTC experience and hire members first

Conclusions and Implications Students do not join to prepare to enlist Students do not join to prepare to enlist Students seek short-term material benefits Students seek short-term material benefits Students seek a distinct community within the school with positive social values Students seek a distinct community within the school with positive social values Students may be seeking an alternative to a perceived negative environment Students may be seeking an alternative to a perceived negative environment Uniforms may allow students to differentiate themselves from the rest of the student body Uniforms may allow students to differentiate themselves from the rest of the student body

Useful Extensions Compare Jr. ROTC members’ perceptions with non-members perceptions Compare Jr. ROTC members’ perceptions with non-members perceptions Track what Jr. ROTC graduates do after high school Track what Jr. ROTC graduates do after high school