Who We Are

What is Army JROTC?

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a high school class where you can learn a lot, have fun doing it, gain some unique and valuable experiences, meet your Career and Technical Education (CTE), PE, Art, World Language, and/or elective credit requirement, and all at no cost to you? There is such a program at Istrouma Magnet High School – The Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).


The Istrouma Tomahawk Battalion.

JROTC is a structured class that helps develop high school students into leaders while teaching them skills that will help them in all their classes. You will learn about your community, your school and yourself. You will be challenged mentally and physically. You will make new friends and learn skills that will help you both in and out of the classroom. You will be part of a team of motivated young men and women seeking to make a positive difference.


Why are we the Tomahawk Battalion?

A "tomahawk" is a type of single-handed ax native to the many Indigenous peoples and nations of North America, traditionally resembling a hatchet with a straight shaft. The term came into the English language in the 17th century as an adaptation of the Powhatan (Virginian Algonquian) word.

Tomahawks were general-purpose tools used by Native Americans and later the European colonials with whom they traded. The metal tomahawk heads were originally based on a Royal Navy boarding ax and used as a trade-item with Native Americans for food and other provisions.

Since Istrouma Magnet High School is located in an area of former Native tribes, and Istrouma uses the word Indians as our namesake, why not use the name of a tool that was used in daily life for hunting, wood work, farming and other daily tasks to push us to be the best in our education and development. For us, Tomahawk is our tool to seek knowledge and truth in academics and life. We will sharpen our minds as we press forward to mold "young people into better citizens".


Let us give you the facts on this great leadership and character development program


There is no requirement to join any military service. We encourage the young men and women in our program to seek college or trade education following graduation from high school. The JROTC program is not a recruiting tool for the military!


The only cost associated with the program is the student lab fee. We provide all uniforms and equipment you will need. Students are required to wear the JROTC uniform at least one day a week. Again, we have a nominal lab fee that helps support our program so that student cadets have the best educational and competitive experiences possible.


In addition to classroom academics, the JROTC program offers a variety of co-curricular (before and after school) activities:

  • A Color Guard team that presents our national flag during school, community and state events and ceremonies and that competes several times a year.

  • Air Rifle, Physical Fitness and Robotics teams that train for and compete in several competitions a year.

  • Community service projects that give students practical experience helping others in need and that fulfill graduation requirements.

  • Formal events, such as a military ball, that expose students to proper social behavior.


What Do We Expect?

We expect that students in our program will be disciplined, respectful, honorable, hard working, committed to the program and always be team members. Students willing to embrace these qualities will do well in JROTC and anything else they attempt. If you are looking for a unique class in which you can have fun, meet positive people and become involved in our community as well as a program that will develop your academic, social, and leadership skills, then JROTC is for you.