The NJROTC program:

• Promotes Patriotism
• Develops informed and responsible citizens
• Develops respect for constructed authority
• Develops a high degree of personal honor, self-reliance, individual discipline and leadership
• Promotes an understanding of the basic elements and need for national security
• Provides information on the military services as a possible career
• Promotes community service
• Develops leadership potential
• Provides an alternative to gangs
• Promotes high school completion
• Provides incentive to live healthy and drug free

Student enrollment eligibility requirements are:

• Be enrolled in and attending a regular course of instruction in a grade 9 through 12 at the school hosting the unit.
• Be physically qualified to participate fully in the physical education program of the host school.
• Be selected by the NJROTC instructor with the approval of the school principal or his/her representative.
• Maintain acceptable standards of academic achievement and an academic standing that warrants at least normal progression leading to graduation.
• Maintain acceptable standards of conduct.
• Comply with specified personal grooming standards. 

Common sense and good judgment apply to the attainment of these standards. 

Standards will not be relaxed so as to reflect disgrace on the naval service.

Under the secondary school open enrollment policy and when desired by the principal of the host school, students in grades 9-12 who are otherwise ineligible for regular NJROTC enrollment may enroll as special NJROTC cadets.

Special NJROTC cadets may participate in school approved NJROTC activities, be called naval cadets, wear the uniform, participate as cadet officers, and go on field trips and orientation visits to military installations. 

Special NJROTC students may not, however, be counted with that number required to maintain an NJROTC unit. 

Any special equipment or additional staff that may be needed to instruct special NJROTC students is provided by the school.

Benefits include:

• Approximately 60 percent of the NJROTC cadets graduating seniors continue to higher education.
• NJROTC provides the opportunity for secondary school students to learn the basic elements and need for national security and their personal obligations as Americans.
  The program enhances the image of the military in the eyes of the community by providing a chance for success to the nation's youth.
• While the training is along military lines, it is conducted so as to encourage initiative and individuality to develop natural gifts, to teach self-control, develop personal character, responsibility and qualities of integrity, loyalty, and dedication.
• Cadets derive self-esteem from belonging to NJROTC.
• NJROTC cadets are better behaved, have higher attendance, are role models for the avoidance of substance abuse, have higher self-esteem, develop positive life skills, graduate at a higher rate, and are an excellent source of service accessions.
• The values, principles, and self-discipline taught in NJROTC promotes positive, productive behaviors and provides a support structure that is critical in helping cadets avoid the use of drugs.
• The NJROTC program is motivational in encouraging cadets to graduate from high school.
• Cadets presenting evidence of successful completion of at least 3 years of NJROTC are entitled to advanced promotion to pay grade E-3 upon initial enlistment in an active or reserve component of the Navy or Air Force and pay grade E-2 in the Army or Marine Corps.
• Cadets accepted for enlistment, who provide evidence of successful completion of 2 years of a NJROTC program are entitled to be enlisted in pay grade E-2 in the Navy.
• Senior Naval Science Instructor is authorized to nominate a maximum of three eligible cadets each year to compete for U.S. Naval Academy appointments.
• Administrators of host schools that are designated as Distinguished Units with Academic Honors may nominate three eligible NJROTC cadets as candidates for appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy in addition to the three nominations above to the U.S. Naval Academy.

The wide variety of subjects includes the following:

• CITIZENSHIP -- Instill values and responsibilities of good citizenship.
• NAVAL ORIENTATION -- A basic introduction to the Navy -- its customs, traditions, and way of life.
• NAVAL OPERATIONS/ORGANIZATION -- Familiarizes the student with national strategy and naval forces, daily military operations, training, exercises, drills, and shipboard organization.
• NAVAL HISTORY -- History of the United States Navy from the colonial period to the present.
• NAVIGATION -- An introduction to piloting and celestial navigation.
• SEAMANSHIP -- An introduction to the general subjects of seamanship that include anchoring and mooring, ship handling, small boats, weather, ship construction, and steering and propulsion systems.
• LEADERSHIP -- An ongoing study of the principles and practical application of leadership with emphasis on providing opportunities for students to exercise and develop their own leadership abilities.
• NAUTICAL ASTRONOMY -- A study of astronomy and its application to celestial navigation.
• ELECTRONICS -- An introduction to electronics as the basis for shipboard radar, sonar, communications, and guidance systems.
• OCEANOGRAPHY -- Provides information on the collection and dissemination of hydrographic and navigational data of the world's ocean systems.
• DRILLS, COMMANDS, AND CEREMONIES -- Includes individual, squad, platoon, and company close order drill; rotation of command; physical fitness; personnel inspections; and parade in company review.

NJROTC instructors may be:

1. Retired Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard commissioned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel, E-6 through O-6, who have served a minimum of 20 years of active duty.
2. The Head of the Department of Naval Science at a school hosting an NJROTC program is called the Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI). The SNSI is the commissioned officer or Warrant Officer (with degree) employed by the school. 
3. Enlisted personnel or warrant officers and LDOs without degrees employed by the school in the NJROTC program are called Naval Science Instructors (NSI).
4. Warrant Officers or LDOs with a baccalaureate degree may also apply to the school for employment as an NSI. Either the SNSI or NSI must have retired from the United States Navy. 
5. The minimum education requirement for SNSIs is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.