The mission of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC) is to develop character and leadership in students by instilling the values of citizenship, service to our nation, personal responsibility, and a strong sense of accomplishment. This program empowers cadets to grow as disciplined, motivated, and community-minded individuals, prepared to lead and succeed in all aspects of life.
Major General Sidney S. McMath USMC, the former Governor of Arkansas, and Congressman Wilbur D. Mills recognized the merits of the Marine Corps Junior ROTC program and took steps to secure a unit for Catholic High School. Father George W. Tribou, then principal of Catholic High School, succeeded in 1967 in obtaining approval of the Commandant of The Marine Corps and Secretary of the Navy for a unit at Catholic High School. General Clifford B. Drake USMC officially presented the unit colors on November 27, 1967 during Charter Day ceremonies at Catholic High School. CHS was the third unit commissioned in the United States.
In 2025, CHS MCJROTC continues its mission of developing well-rounded leaders equipped with the tools to excel in all areas of life. The most important pillar of the program is community service. Cadets also learn and grow with success through a diverse range of specialized teams. The Drill, Color Guard, and Marksmanship teams sharpen focus and discipline. Raider and Physical Fitness (PF) teams challenge cadets to push themselves through physical endurance and teamwork. Our Robotics, Cyber, Drone, and nationally ranked Academics team challenge cadets intellectually and prepare them for the increasing demands of the modern world.
Teams:A Marine Corps JROTC unit’s Color Guard is often a very active representative of the unit at pubic events. Whether it’s presenting the American Flag at high school basketball or football games, National Honor Society events, or school board meetings, the MCJROTC Color Guard stands ready to serve its host school. In the community, MCJROTC Color Guards perform at parades, ceremonies, and sporting events. All MCJROTC cadets are encouraged to compete and train for color guard, as they represent the most focused and dedicated cadets.
Marine Corps Junior ROTC Cadets across the nation dedicate countless hours to the close-order drill. It is written into the MCJROTC curriculum as a means of instilling discipline and esprit de corps, and continues to be one of the finest methods for developing confidence and leadership abilities of Cadets. All MCJROTC cadets are encouraged to compete and train for drill, as they represent the most focused and dedicated cadets.
Units compete at local, state, regional and national Drill Team competitions throughout the year. While fostering a friendly and entertaining environment, these competitions provide MCJROTC Cadets an opportunity to showcase their hours of dedication and tremendous marching skills. Marine Corps JROTC units continue to enjoy success at the annual National High School Drill Team Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The MCJROTC Raider program is a physical fitness and team-building extracurricular activity within the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC). It’s designed to push cadets physically and mentally through intense challenges, often focused on strength, endurance, teamwork, and leadership under pressure. Som
e competitions include land navigation, knot tying, or first-aid challenges, depending on the event organizers. Some of the challenges they train for include:
I. Obstacle courses (walls, ropes and crawling)
II. Ruck runs (long-distance runs with weighted backpacks)
III. Team relays (sprints, carrying litters/dummies, etc.)
IV. Rope bridge construction and crossing
V. Physical fitness tests (push-ups, sit-ups, planks, etc.)
The MCJROTC Robotics team is overseen by Paul Lincicom
e ’03, who also serves as the head of the CHS Robotics Program. In MCJROTC Robotics, cadets and students design, build, modify, and program robots in JROTC invitational events and blended V5RC competitions. Cadet-lead teams compete throughout the VEX V5 Robotics Competition season intending to attend the VEX Robotics World Championship and/or the JROTC National Championship. Skills such as building, programming, engineering, and short and long-term planning are built here.
Academic TeamThe Academics Team competes nationally in tests designed to be the toughest in the field of math, science, reading, grammar, economics, and ROTC knowledge. the MCJROTC program has competed at the highest level in Washington, D.C. since 2023. There are many benefits of participating on the Academic Team including:
The Drone Team launched in Spring of 2025 as part of the Aerospace I – III and is coached by (Ret) Colonel Johnson. The team competes in an aerial drone competition hosted by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation whose global mission is to equip educators with programs that inspire student engagement in science, technology, engineering, math and computer science while preparing them for future careers. In competition, students take on a variety of challenges – including Teamwork, Autonomous Flight, Piloting, and Communications – building skills that combine technical precision with strategic collaboration.
Marksmanship is an integral part of the MCJROTC curriculum. With an emphasis on safety, the MCJROTC Marksmanship curriculum allows cadets to develop pride and a sense of accomplishment as they become more proficient with their marksmanship skills. Cadets will shoot the Daisy 853CM, an air rifle specifically designed exclusively for MCJROTC. Cadets will qualify and compete using the Three-Position Air Rifle Shooting standards. Three-Position Air Rifle Shooting is the most popular and fastest growing form of shooting sports competition for youth of high school age or younger.
Two different Three-Position Air Rifle events are available. Precision Air Rifle is modeled after Olympic-style shooting and allows the use of specialized target rifles and equipment. Sporter Air Rifle is designed for new competitors or those who desire to compete with a minimum of equipment and expense. In both types of shooting, competitors fire at targets at a distance of 10 meters in three
different positions, prone, standing and kneeling. Sporter and precision air rifle classes may also be combined into one “open” class. Three-Position Air Rifle provides young competitors with competitive shooting sports opportunities that can be offered on a wide variety of easily accessible or easily constructed ranges, with equipment that is commonly available at affordable costs.
Marine Corps JROTC Units are afforded the opportunity to participate in marksmanship competitions sponsored by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).
Cyber Security – also known as CyberPatriot – is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association (AFA). Its mission is to inspire high school students to pursue careers in cybersecurity and other STEM fields that are vital to our nation’s future.
At the center of Cy
berPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, a unique challenge that transforms high school and middle school students into I
T professionals for a day. Each team is tasked with managing the network of a small business, identifying vulnerabilities, and securing systems—all while ensuring essential services remain online. Throughout the competition
, students work with virtual operating system images, applying real-world cybersecurity skills to strengthen defenses. Teams first compete at the state and regional levels, with the top performers advancing to the prestigious National Finals Competition in Washington, D.C. Finalists earn national recognition, scholarship opportunities, and the chance to showcase their talents on the biggest stage in youth cybersecurity.
Growing up with an older brother that went to Catholic High, I knew I wanted to be a part of what he always referred to as “The Brotherhood.” I love that I’m able to explore so many of my interests, from joining Broadcast Journalism and JROTC my freshman year to becoming president of the drama club as a junior. As I get ready for college in two short years, I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given at Catholic High that will help me stand out in the application process.
