JROTC Inside Edition

As ECCE, OSCPA, and JROTC continue to collaborate to create the best high school experiences and expand opportunities that enhance postsecondary success, I am requesting access to any past or current Service Learning Decks. I believe several of these projects may meet the criteria for “Team-Based challenges,” and we will review them to determine how both approaches can be integrated to better serve students. Please kindly upload any available Service Learning Projects into this designated folder by Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

Team-based challenges provide students with valuable opportunities to build collaboration, communication, and leadership skills while strengthening our school communities. By working together toward shared goals, students learn to listen, problem-solve, and support one another, gaining real-world skills that mirror college, career, and military pathways. These activities boost engagement, promote healthy competition, and help students recognize the unique strengths each team member brings. Documenting these experiences in Schoolinks will highlight our JROTC cadets and potentially benefit them in their postsecondary endeavors. Here is a link for more detailed information regarding Team Based Challenges.

Our department is already contributing significantly in these areas, and we want to solidify, elevate, and support this work for the benefit of students. ECCE shared that as a district our students have a healthy amount of Career Awareness opportunities. They would like to move across the continuum to Career Exploration and Career Development.

Educationally Yours,

Dr. Tyese Sims

As we enter the Thanksgiving Holiday break, I want to thank you all for the hard work you are doing to change lives. In this country, we have so much to be thankful for, that others may not have. Please remember to take the time to enjoy family, friends and always remember those that cannot be with their families due to deployments.

As we celebrate, I ask that you do so smartly and safely. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. DO NOT RIDE WITH ANYONE THAT DOES.

Here are a couple of event changes that you should be tracking.

• The next JROTC national event is the 2026 JROTC Robotics Championship during 24-27 JAN 26 at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH. A FRAGO was published on Tuesday, 18 NOV 25.
• The new dates for the JROTC National Raider Challenge Competition are 16-19 APR 26 at Fort Knox, KY.
• The JROTC National Drone Championship has been moved from March 2025 to May 2026 in the Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, GA. More to follow on details in an OPORD

Respectfully Submitted,

LTC Zimmerle

We have completed fourteen weeks of schools! The second quarter ends on December 19th. We are moving right along but there is still much work to be done in support of our cadets.

One big milestone is the Illinois Tuition Waiver (ISTW) event which will be held at UIC on 22NOV. Over 75 cadets signed up to participate in this amazing event as of the time of this publication. There are not many opportunities that I can think of where students are able to earn one year of free tuition with additional opportunities to earn book vouchers and additional monthly stipends. Let's take full advantage of the additional opportunity that the UIC ROTC Cadre has given our cadets as well as other schools districts across the city. We are truly thankful for the registration extension.

The Saturday ISTW will be the last event prior to the Thanksgiving holiday break. We have logged many hours. Please take the time to relax and refresh over the course of the break. Thank you for all that you do!

Respectfully Submitted,

MAJ Striverson

This is the last and final push! Let's encourage our student to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!

Please remind your cadets that they are attempting to gain entry into a state Army ROTC program. Grooming standards even apply in a physical fitness environment. The first impression is usually a lasting one.

Requirements:

• Completed Physical Fitness Test
• Physical Fitness clothing if Fitness test
in not completed before the event
• Copy of current HS Transcript
• Copy of ACT/SAT Test, if taken
• A Resume/Personal Bio
• Dress Code is Professional/Business
Casual. There will be an area to
change if needed after the fitness test

Chicago Stand Downs are held every summer and winter and is organized by a committee of VA staff, local nonprofits and area agencies. The committee is led by Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.

"For 30 years, we've come together to aid our Chicago Veterans with the Winter and Summer Stand Downs," said Donald Donahue, Hines VA social worker and Stand Down chairman. "Our goal is to help Veterans get the resources they need to get through the winter and beyond."

Welcome to the family SFC Garcia (Lake View), MAJ Giwa (Lake View), 1SG Rositas (Taft), SFC Dicristofano (TBD) and SFC Johnson (Lincoln Park).

Here are the official results from Sports Challenge! Congratulations to everyone to everyone that rose up early on a cold Saturday morning to compete and an extra congratulations to our victors!

Overall

1. CMA-B 🏅🏅🏅

2. Lincoln Park

3. Lindblom

A special thank you to our hosts, Instructors, HQ personnel, and City Corps staff for making this event a success! And another special thank you to the Instructors who ran the Instructor 400-Meter Challenge and still made it into work the following day! 💪🦵

I'm starting to think they can't be beat!!!💪💪💪

OCCS Data Highlight📊

Does Early College contribute significantly to ECCC?

The ECCC attainment rate for graduate students has been steadily increasing over time, with it being at an all time high this school year with 56.27% of graduates earning ECCC! The figure shows what the ECCC rates would have been without early college courses. Early college courses have had a significant contribution to the ECCC numbers. Without EC courses, the ECCC attainment rate would have been 46.48% this year (shown by the green line). This means that a significant number of students attain ECCC solely due to EC courses. Within EC, absence of dual credit courses would have a significantly bigger impact on ECCC rates (49.44 % this year) as compared to the rates in the absence of dual enrollment courses (54.5% this year).

DID YOU KNOW??? The Early College and Career Credentials represent opportunities that allow students to demonstrate college and career readiness while in high school, positioning students to get a head start on their career and save time and money on postsecondary options. ECCC can be attained in one of the following ways:

1. A passing grade in an early college course

2. A passing score on an AP exam

3. A passing score on an IB exam

4. Six credits from JROTC course

5. The Seal of Biliteracy

6. A qualified career certification

7. An internship of 60 hours or more

We are just one month away from National Wreaths Across America Day! On Saturday, December 13, communities across the country will come together to Remember, Honor, and Teach across 5,500+ participating locations.

As a past volunteer, you’ve seen firsthand the power of our mission. You’ve stood among the rows of headstones, spoken the names of our nation’s heroes, and felt the weight of their sacrifice.

Today, we invite you to make an even greater impact by sponsoring a veteran’s wreath. Your sponsorship will ensure that a veteran’s name is spoken, their story is remembered, and their legacy continues to inspire future generations to understand the value of freedom.

Sponsor Wreaths

Additionally, if you haven't already, you can sign up to volunteer again this year here.

The 3rd BDE Drone Competition is approved and open for registration in REC Foundation. So far, the following schools registered: Camdenton (4), Hillcrest (3), Nixa (3), SRTC (4), and KC East (2).

The deadline for BDE teams to register is 22 JAN 26. Since it is an invitational event, coaches need to email the team registration numbers they want to enter the competition. Here is the link to the event: https://recfevents.org/#/admin/events/31

Mission: Marine Leadership Academy (MLA) will host an “Aerial Drone Competition” on Saturday, 13 December 2025 from 0800 to 1400 at The Marine Leadership Academy, 1920 N Hamlin Ave Chicago IL 60647. In order to promote the STEM skills like piloting, coding, and engineering among the other JROTC programs.

Registration fee: $75.00 per school.

Three categories: Speed course, obstacle course, coding course.

Concession stand: Bring cash- Pizza, chips, soda, water, etc...

Registration link: https://forms.gle/XxSr6CXMQh9gfiaT9

Hello from Annapolis, Maryland, home of the United States Naval Academy (USNA)!

The USNA Parents Club of Northern Illinois is hosting a U.S. Naval Academy Information Day for interested students on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 2 PM in Downers Grove.

The program will feature current Midshipmen (home for the holiday), your USNA Admissions Counselor (LT Tom Halliday) and local Blue and Gold Officers. This event will provide an overview of USNA, the admissions process, and highlight the student experience from current Midshipmen. This event is open to prospective students, parents, and family members.

Please feel free to share this email with your students.

Information Session and Midshipmen Meet & Greet

American Legion Post #80 (4000 Saratoga Ave. Downers Grove, IL 60515)

2 PM - 4 PM. (Check-in starts at 1:30 PM)

RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0Ro4cFjYW-FXjX8YibHp1WNmJxVKzIme8tj_yIlHCgQHzFQ/viewform?fce_id=94e6262a-ba75-4a03-a546-67957a4f0b54

Who Can Apply?

You’re eligible to apply for an Army ROTC scholarship:

• High School: After completion of your junior year

• College: At any participating school

High School Applicants

Start Your Application:

1. Create an account and log in to the [Scholarship Application Portal].

2. Locate and contact the Recruiting Operations Officer at the school you plan to attend. Most have prior service and understand the process.

Important Dates:

• Round 01: Due October 13, 2025 → Review: Oct 20–24, 2025

• Round 02: Due January 19, 2026 → Review: Jan 26–30, 2026

• Round 03: Due March 16, 2026 → Review: Mar 23–27, 2026

💡 Applications must be started by March 4, 2026 to be eligible for review for the 2025–2026 school year.

Your ROTC Scholarship Obligation

• Accepting the ROTC scholarship carries a future Army service obligation of 8 years (active duty and/or Army Reserve or National Guard).

• Some students may serve part-time while pursuing a civilian career.

• Scholarship recipients may exit the program after freshman year without obligation.

Requirements to Join:

To be eligible for an ROTC scholarship, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Be 17–30 in your year of commissioning

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent

• Maintain a 2.50 unweighted GPA (high school applicants)

• Have taken the SAT or ACT

• Pass the Army Fitness Test (AFT)

• Meet physical weight and height standards

• Agree to accept a commission in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard

USMA Admissions Timeline

Junior Year of High School

• Feb. 15 - USMA application opens, including SLE application
• March 15 - SLE application priority review deadline
• April 15 - SLE application final deadline
• Spring Semester - Begin training for Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)
• Spring Semester - Begin working on the Candidate Checklist
• Spring Semester - Check nomination deadlines for Congressperson and Senators

Find your Congressional Representative or Senator.

Summer Break

• First Week in June - SLE Session I
• Second Week in June - SLE Session II
• After July 1 - Begin the medical exam process

Explore what SLE has to offer.

Senior Year of High School

• Fall - Apply for nominations
• Fall - Take Candidate Fitness Assessment
• January 31 - Candidate Checklist deadline
• July 1-April 1 - Complete medical exam

Steps for

Admission

You can begin the application process as early as your Junior year in high school and we encourage the earlier the better! These steps will provide all the information you need to know about our application requirements and our admissions process.

• 1. Confirm Eligibility
• 2. Preliminary Application
• 3. Apply for Nomination
• 4. College Entrance Exams
• 5. Transcript
• 6. Medical Examination
• 7. Candidate Fitness Assessment
• 8. Interview
• 9. Admission Selection Process & Deadlines

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the United States Naval Academy if you meet the following criteria:

• A United States Citizen by 1 July of the year of entry
• At least 17 years of age and must not have passed 23rd birthday on 1 July of the year of entry
• Unmarried
• Not pregnant and no dependents
• Have a valid Social Security Number (If you do not have a Social Security number you can apply for a card here https://www.ssa.gov)

If you are in high school but are not old enough to apply, you can register with USNA to receive information about our Summer Programs.

Admissions Cycle

Staying on Track

The United States Air Force Academy admissions cycle helps students manage their applications efficiently. The process consists of pre-candidate and candidate phases. To get a general picture of important dates in the Academy’s annual admissions cycle, see below.

March 3–December 31

The Pre-candidate Questionnaire (PCQ) opens March 3 of a student’s junior year. This is the first step in the application process. The deadline to submit a PCQ is December 31 of the student’s senior year.

July 15–January 31

Upon completion of the Pre-candidate Questionnaire, all pre-candidates will receive correspondence with guidance and next steps for the application process. U.S. Air Force Academy uses rolling deadlines whereby specific deadlines are posted on each applicant’s portal. All items must be completed by the deadline posted.

December 1–January 15

Summer Seminar applications open for rising seniors on December 1. The last day to start a new application is January 10. The Summer Seminar deadline is January 15 with no extensions or late applications accepted.

January

College Admissions Tests (ACT and SAT) must be taken by this time for the results to arrive at the Admissions Office by mid-February for current applicants. Test scores must be official and sent from the respective testing authority (ACT and College Board).

February–April

Applications are reviewed and the majority of appointments are offered during this time.

April

Most candidates who completed an application will know their admissions status by this time. All notifications will be made through a student’s application portal.

May 1

National College Decision Day

June

U.S. Air Force Academy class enters. Summer Seminar sessions take place.

Admission Requirements

The Coast Guard Academy is ranked among the nation’s elite undergraduate colleges. This is reflected in our highly selective admission process, which annually admits about 300 cadets from thousands of applicants.

Unlike the other federal service academies, the Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination.

Deadlines

• Early Action: 15 October
• Regular Admission (U.S. citizens): 15 January
• International Admission: See https://www.uscga.edu/admission-and-tuition

Required/supplemental forms and standardized test scores will be accepted for 14 days after the deadlines above.

To be considered for admission you must submit a complete application by the deadline.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the Coast Guard Academy if you are:

• A U.S. citizen of sound moral character
• Unmarried with no dependents or financial debt
• 17-22 years of age on last Monday in June
• A high school graduate or GED recipient (or will be prior to entry)

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may want to consider applying to be an International Cadet.

Online Application

The initial application data allows us to start a file on you.

Essays

Essays are available online as part of the online application.

Required Forms

Forms are available online as you complete the online application.

• High school transcript(s)
• Math instructor letter of recommendation
• English instructor letter of recommendation
• High school counselor letter of recommendation
• Physical Fitness Examination Form (PFE)

Medical Exam

Though not required for review of your application, a qualifying DoDMERB Medical Exam must be on file before an appointment to the Academy can be offered.

Supplemental Information

• Résumé (optional)
• Standardized test scores (required)
• Up to two extra letters of recommendation (optional)
• Commanding Officer recommendation (if currently serving in the military)
• College transcripts (if you are or were in college)

SAT/ACT

Submit as follows:

• Self-report by uploading your score reports in the Personal Statements section of the online application (required)
• Via your high school transcript (optional)
• Via your Guidance Office (optional)
• Through the College Board or ACT (recommended)

To send your scores from the testing agency, contact College Board or ACT, or list the Academy code when you take the test. Our SAT code is 5807 and our ACT code is 0600. Please visit the College Board or ACT websites to register.

Application Downloadable Forms and Documents

• Application Handbook
• PFE Scoring Form
• PFE Scoring Table
• PFE Manual – Please check back
• College Transcript Request

Interview

Admissions may request to interview applicants and prospective applicants in order to best meet your needs and the Academy’s enrollment goals. If so, a representative of Admissions will contact you. If selected for an interview, participation is required. The format of the interview – online, by phone, or face-to-face – will be based on the mutual consent of all parties, with health and safety the paramount concern.

There are select schools that have yet to submit an Opening Enrollment and/or a Unit Report. Please rectify this immdiately.

MAJ Michael Striverson - Deputy Director of Military Instruction

MAJ Lancelot Lashley - Logistics Manager

CSM Ricardo Medina - Instructional Specialist

SFC Loretta Cunningham - Instructional Specialist

MSG Cleris Heggs - Hiring Manager

Kurt Jackson - Operations Manager

Shaward Singleton - Sr. Inventory Management Clerk

Marcus Thomas - Inventory Management Clerk

Website: https://www.chicagojrotc.com/
Location: 145 S. Campbell Chicago, IL 60612
Instagram: CPSJROTC

Twitter: @CPSJROTC