The Viking Battalion is celebrating over 27 years in Woodbridge Senior High School and in Prince William County Public Schools developing global learners, dynamic leaders, and motivated young citizens. Join us this year as we conduct events throughout the school year to recognize our unit history.
The History of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC):
The Army JROTC program originated as part of the National Defense Act of 1916. The principle of maintaining national programs of military training for citizens attending school was validated during Congressional hearings preceding passage of the ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964. The very first program was established at Saint John's High School in Washington, DC one hundred years ago. The Woodbridge Senior High School's JROTC program was established in 1993 by LTC (Ret.) Franklyn Matthews and SGM (Ret.) Joe Neely. The program is rated as an Honor Unit with Distinction for over 16 years. This is the highest rating of a JROTC Army program possible.
The Mission:
The JROTC Program mission philosophy is "To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens." The JROTC Program is a service to our nation that provides cadets the motivation and skills to remain drug free, graduate from high school, and become successful citizens. The Program works to instill in students in secondary educational institutions the Army's Core Values of citizenship, service to the community and the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. Our JROTC program assists in the total development of the high school student so that the cadet can take his/her place as a responsible citizen. Upon graduation, our mission is to assist WSHS Cadets to qualify for and obtain acceptances to schools of higher learning, appointments to Service Academies, scholarships (ROTC and non ROTC) enlistment in the Armed Forces or employment.
The Objectives:
Participation in the program will involve a combination of practical and fundamental leadership skill training in which cadets will learn how to follow and work as a member of a team. Using an updated digital curriculum platform cadets study history, human behavior, leadership, citizenship, communication skills, physical conditioning, first aid, and geography/map reading with the goals of building strong moral character, discipline, responsibility and confidence. Cadets also support their community by planning and implementing community service leaning projects or participating in them. Cadet participation also is demonstrated in two other areas: 1) JROTC competitive teams (WSHS can have up to four or five competitive teams that compete in local meets or in National competitions. 2) Cadets hands on leadership training through their cadet chain of command (cadets plan and conduct all training and activities) and attendance to summer camp/JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge for a week at Fort A. P. Hill, Virginia, or attend Virginia Tech for STEM exposure as well as leadership training.