GENERAL INFORMATION
The U.S. Army JROTC at Hephzibah High School is a cooperative program between the Richmond County Board of Education and the Department of the Army. The Program of Instruction provides military training which will benefit the student, the community, and the nation.
Selecting JROTC as an elective course of study and participation will not in any way require the student to become a member of the military service nor will they be required to join any service for participation in JROTC.
JROTC affords each student an additional program of study that has been integrated into the school's curriculm. The JROTC program and curricula is scrutinized by professional educators and therefore, upon completion, JROTC carries full credit for graduation and 1/2 Carnegie unit of credit will be given for each semester sucessfully completed. The JROTC program augments and complements the overall curriculm of the school. It not only teaches academic subjects, but also works toward the development of the WHOLE individual. The course teaches discipline, leadership, respect for constituted authority as well as the positive principles of team work, and attention to detail.
Upon entering the program, the JROTC student will be issued a complete uniform at no cost. The only requirement is that the uniform be kept clean and pressed to ensure the individual creates a good appearance.
JROTC offers numerous opportunities for scholarships. To select and participate in JROTC does not require and special qualifications, the student needs to only try. During the academic year, JROTC conducts field trips to several locations in the state of Georgia and South Carolina. These trips are kept to a minimum or no cost to the student.
The Richmond County Superintendent of Schools applied for an Army JROTC Unit for Hephzibah High School in September 1973. The unit was authorized to be formed by General Order Number 4, dated 27 July 1974. The unit was started on 6 August 1974. At the beginning of the school year 1974, 117 students were enrolled in the program. Beginning with school year 1975, freshmen were allowed to enroll in the program.