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Sonora High School

A place of excellence in education.

JROTC

Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)

Our Mission
“To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens”

Our Vision
To provide a quality citizenship, character, service, and leadership development program.

Our Values

  • Apply critical thinking techniques
  • Build capacity for lifelong learning
  • Contribute as a responsible citizen in school, community, and world
  • Take ownership of actions and choices
  • Respect self and others

Our Goals

  1. Lead ethically and effectively in diverse environments
  2. Graduate prepared for higher education or career pathways
  3. Promote physical and emotional wellness through informed choices
  4. Recognize service through military and community organizations

A large group of people in uniform salute, flags in the background.Program Description

Who it serves:  All students grades 9 - 12 are welcome to join. JROTC is NOT a military obligation. JROTC is NOT a direct military recruiting program. Those who aspire to serve in the military, after completing high school, may receive advanced rank and pay. 

 

What students can expect:  Team Building, Leadership, Problem Solving, Physical Fitness & Conditioning, Community Service, Extra-Curricular Activities, Competitions, Military style Drill & Ceremony, Military Customs & Courtesies, Social Etiquette, Formal Military Ball with several other JROTC programs. You will learn and train together as a team with 9 - 12th graders in the same classroom environment. Expect to maintain, prepare and wear the JROTC uniform twice a month (every other Thursday). Earn rank and awards through performance based assessments.  Uniforms &  alterations are paid for by US Army Cadet Command, NOT the parents or students. Cadets are expected to accept responsibilities for  dry cleaning  and accountability of their uniforms.

 

What makes it unique:  Instructors are retired U.S. Army Veterans, with over 40 years of diverse active duty assignments. All Instructors must possess Cleared Designated Subject California State Teacher Credentials, cleared vetting through Child Care National Agency Checks and Inquires (CNACI) and the curriculum is nationally accredited by the education organization Cognia/AdvancED..  This is not a military Boot Camp, but a well rounded program where the cadets develop and earn the opportunities to  lead fellow cadets and the program.  JROTC counts as a PE credit and Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway for graduation. ***Upon completion of two to three years of JROTC a cadet can enter the military with advanced rank and pay grade of E-2 to E-3 (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force). 

 

Program Highlights

  1. Participate in Community Service events and Service Learning Projects, make a difference, and earn Community Service hours.
  2. Color Guard Team, Armed Drill and Unarmed Drill Teams
  3. Raider Team - physical fitness competitions
  4. JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl (JLAB) - travel to Washington DC to compete
  5. JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) - 3 day / 2 night camp at Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, Orange, CA

 

A marching band performs on a football field at dusk, holding flags and instruments.

Welcome from our JROTC Coordinator
 

A man with short, light brown hair smiles at the camera.U.S Army Retired, Master Sergeant (MSG) Fritz Saalmann, a SoCal native who graduated from California High School in Whittier before his enlisted 20 year career in the U.S. Army. Sergeant Saalmann has held a wide variety of assignments and tours of duty during his military service career.

Sergeant Saalmann has served as an Aircraft Repairman, Special Forces Engineer, Drill Sergeant, Operations & Intelligence Instructor. MSG Saalmann has served in Alaska, Africa, Europe and Asia with several stateside assignments in Kentucky, Texas, North Carolina, and Washington. While on Drill Sergeant duty he had the opportunity to lead ROTC & JROTC cadets and become a Certified Cadet Instructor which initiated his affiliation with the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

Upon retirement from his active duty career, MSG Saalmann returned back to SoCal and began his second career as a High School Army JROTC Instructor. Sergeant Saalmann continues his dedicated mission & service "to motivate young people to be better citizens" here at Sonora since 2004. Hooah!!! 

U.S. Army Master Sergeant (Retired) Fritz Saalmann

Phone: (562) 266-2101
Email: fsaalmann@fjuhsd.org