The Effect of High School JROTC on Student Achievement, Educational Attainment, and Enlistment

The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is a high school initiative that serves many at-risk students. Its goals range from reducing dropout rates and improving academic achievement to preparing students for military careers. Using data from High School and Beyond (HSB) and the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS), we estimate average treatment effects on students attending schools that typically host JROTC. Applying a twostage matching technique, we find that JROTC participants have poorer academic outcomes than other students; although, a large portion of these differences is explained by their at-risk status. In addition, program effects appear to differ by demographic group, with black participants having lower dropout rates than white participants. The program also appears to improve self-esteem scores of females. Although the majority of JROTC participants do not join the military, we find large marginal enlistment effects.