Ranks and Promotion

Cadet Rank Structure.

The rank structure used in Marine Corps JROTC is mirrored after the officer and enlisted ranks in the U. S. Marine Corps.  Rank is a privilege, earned through dedicated effort, and awarded according to the needs of the unit.  The following ranks (with corresponding billets) are utilized, for a Company size Marine Corps JROTC unit.

1.      Cadet Major – Cadet Commanding Officer

2.      Cadet Captain – Cadet Executive Officer, Operations Officer (S-3)

3.      Cadet First Lieutenant – S-1 Administrative Officer, S-4 Logistics Officer, Class Commanders, Drill Team Commander and Air Rifle Captain

4.      Cadet Second Lieutenant – Platoon commanders, Public Affairs Officer (S-2), Information Technologies (IT) Officer (S-6), staff deputies (S-1A, S-3A, S-4A)

5.      Cadet First Sergeant – Cadet Company First Sergeant

6.      Cadet Gunnery Sergeant – Cadet Company Gunnery Sergeant, Cadet Platoon Sergeant, Operations (S-3) Chief, Public Affair (S-2) Chief

7.      Cadet Staff Sergeant – Cadet Company Supply Sergeant, Cadet Company Guide, Information Management Chief,

8.      Cadet Sergeant – Cadet Squad Leader, Cadet Company Clerk 

9.      Cadet Corporal – Cadet Fire Team Leader

10.  Cadet Lance Corporal – Any qualified Cadet may be promoted to this rank.

11.   Cadet Private First Class – Any qualified Cadet may be promoted to this rank.

Cadet Promotions

1.   Promotions are an honor and a privilege.  Those cadets receiving promotions must possess the prerequisite abilities and skills.  Primary authority for promotions rests with the Senior Marine Instructor.  Cadets returning from the previous school year will normally be promoted to a higher rank, providing their last quarter conduct and grades meet the criteria below.

a.       Promotions are based on demonstrated leadership ability, academic, and disciplinary excellence.  The minimum standards for any promotion is to have a current grade point average (GPA) of “2.0”, and to have passed the Youth Physical Fitness Test (YPFT) in the current grading period.

b.      Cadets being considered for promotion to Cadet Corporal or Cadet Sergeant must possess a current GPA of “2.0” or higher.  For promotion to Cadet Staff Sergeant or higher, the cadet must have a current GPA of “2.5” or higher. All cadet officers and staff noncommissioned officers are required to maintain a minimum GPA of “2.5” to retain their rank.

c.       Cadet Officers and staff noncommissioned officers that do not meet the minimum GPA of “2.5” will be placed in a probationary status for the following semester.  The cadet will have one grading period to meet the standard for rank retention or be considered for reduction.  Cadets failing to maintain a GPA of “2.0” may not hold a rank higher than Cadet Private.

d.      Cadets failing to perform their duties in an efficient manner will be considered for reduction.

e.       Requests for waivers to the above promotion criteria will be submitted to the Senior Military Instructor.

2.   Cadets may be promoted to commissioned officer ranks during their senior or junior year; staff noncommissioned officer ranks during their junior year; and noncommissioned officer ranks during their sophomore year.  Cadets in the ninth grade will normally serve in the ranks of Cadet Private through Cadet Lance Corporal.

3.   Reappointment:

a.  Cadets who departed for disciplinary reasons or were withdrawn in lieu of disciplinary action, and accepted for reenrollment will be appointed Cadet Privates, regardless of rank previously held.

b.   Cadets who departed for other reasons and accepted for reenrollment may be appointed to a grade one rank lower than that previously held if absence from the program was a period of one school year or less.  Periods greater than one school year will normally result in a returning rank of Cadet Private.