SAR JROTC and ROTC Programs
Sons of the American Revolution recognition, awards, and scholarships for JROTC and ROTC cadets
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution supports both Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps and Reserve Officers Training Corps programs as part of its mission to promote citizenship, leadership, patriotism, and service.
SAR recognition includes the Bronze JROTC Medal for secondary school cadets, the Silver ROTC Medal for college and university cadets, and the Enhanced JROTC Cadet Contest for outstanding high school JROTC cadets.
Kings Mountain Chapter Contact
Current Kings Mountain JROTC and ROTC ContactSAR ROTC and JROTC Recognition Medals
SAR Chapters, State Societies, and the National Society may present ROTC and JROTC Recognition Medals to cadets selected for leadership qualities, military bearing, and general excellence.
The recipient of a regular ROTC or JROTC Recognition Medal is selected by the Commanding Officer of the ROTC or JROTC unit.
Bronze JROTC Medal
The Bronze JROTC Medal is presented only to students in a secondary school JROTC program. A recipient may receive the medal only once.
Silver ROTC Medal
The Silver ROTC Medal is presented only to students enrolled in a college or university ROTC unit. A recipient may receive the medal only once.
Number of Medals
For an ROTC or JROTC unit with fewer than 500 cadets or midshipmen, one recognition medal may be awarded each year. For larger units, one medal may be presented for each 500 students enrolled in the unit. When a school has more than one ROTC or JROTC unit, each unit is counted separately.
The current National SAR program does not list a separate National scholarship competition for college ROTC cadets. College and university ROTC students are recognized through the Silver ROTC Medal program. The National cash or scholarship competition described below is the Enhanced JROTC Cadet Contest for high school JROTC cadets.
SAR Enhanced JROTC Cadet Contest
The Enhanced JROTC Cadet Contest provides outstanding JROTC cadets an opportunity to compete at the SAR Chapter, State Society, and National levels.
The competition normally progresses as follows:
- The JROTC unit nominates an eligible cadet.
- The cadet competes through the local SAR Chapter.
- Each SAR Chapter may advance one entry to its State Society competition.
- The State Society winner advances to the National SAR competition.
- The National winner is recognized at the SAR Annual Congress.
National Enhanced JROTC Awards
The current National SAR JROTC webpage lists the following awards:
| National Placement | Award |
|---|---|
| First Place | $6,000 and National JROTC Medallion |
| Second Place | $3,000 |
| Third Place | $1,000 |
| Fourth Place | $500 |
| Fifth Place | $500 |
Under the current NSSAR Handbook, National prize amounts may be received as cash or, if selected by the recipient, as a scholarship.
The National First Place cadet is recognized at the SAR Annual Congress. National SAR may also provide an amount toward travel, transportation, hotel, and related meal expenses for the cadet and chaperone. Expenses exceeding the amount provided by SAR remain the responsibility of the cadet unless additional assistance is provided by a sponsoring Chapter or State Society.
Who Is Eligible for the Enhanced JROTC Contest
The current National SAR nomination form requires the candidate to meet the following basic qualifications:
- Be enrolled in a JROTC program.
- Be a high school junior in the year of competition.
- Be in the top 10 percent of the cadet's JROTC class.
- Be in the top 25 percent of the cadet's high school class.
- Be nominated by the Senior Military Instructor.
- Submit the required recommendations and supporting information.
- Submit an original essay of 500 to 700 words.
The current nomination instructions also specify that the cadet should be in the third year of a four year JROTC program or the second year of a three year JROTC program.
Required Essay
The current National SAR JROTC application specifies an original essay of 500 to 700 words on the following topic:
The essay must be double spaced and include a computer generated word count. The current instructions also require identifying information including the cadet's name, rank, JROTC unit, and high school.
Recommendations and Verification
A competitive application requires support from both the school Principal and the Senior Military Instructor.
The Principal's recommendation should verify the cadet's GPA and high school class standing and explain why the cadet merits recognition.
The Senior Military Instructor's recommendation must verify that the cadet is in the top 10 percent of the JROTC class and should describe the cadet's leadership qualities and leadership potential.
How the Enhanced JROTC Application Is Scored
The current National SAR application uses a total possible score of 100 points.
| Evaluation Area | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Principal and Senior Military Instructor Endorsements | 20 |
| Essay | 30 |
| Application Form | 50 |
| Total | 100 |
The application portion evaluates JROTC leadership and potential, the cadet's position within the JROTC command organization, academic extracurricular activities, and non-scholastic or non-JROTC activities.
Current JROTC Application and Instructions
The following PDF is the nomination form currently linked by the National SAR JROTC webpage for the 2026-2027 program year.
National SAR instructs applicants to save the fillable PDF to the computer first and then open the saved copy in Adobe Reader before completing and saving the form. Some instructions embedded in the current file retain older revision wording, so applicants should follow the form currently linked from the National SAR webpage and any additional instructions provided by their Chapter or State Society JROTC Chairman.
Application Deadlines
Local SAR Chapter and State Society deadlines vary and will normally be earlier than the National deadline. Cadets and Senior Military Instructors should contact the sponsoring SAR Chapter as early as possible during the school year.
Under the current NSSAR Handbook, State Society competitions must be completed and the State winning entry must reach National SAR no later than May 1.
May 1 is the National deadline for the State Society winning entry. It should not be used as the deadline for an individual cadet to submit an application to a local SAR Chapter. Local deadlines will be earlier.
How Many Cadets May Be Nominated
For a JROTC unit with fewer than 500 cadets, one cadet may be nominated. For larger units, one cadet may be nominated for each 500 students enrolled in the unit. If a school has more than one JROTC unit, each unit is counted separately.
When a local SAR Chapter works with several JROTC units, the Chapter conducts its competition and may advance only one winning cadet to the State Society Enhanced JROTC competition.
Special Note for U.S. Navy Sea Cadets
The U.S. Navy Sea Cadet Corps is not eligible for the SAR Bronze JROTC Medal. National SAR instead provides for recognition of an outstanding Navy Sea Cadet with the SAR Sea Cadet Medal, which uses the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal with Ribbon Bar.
National SAR JROTC and ROTC Resources
National JROTC and ROTC Program Page
Current program rules, award amounts, State Society contacts, and National JROTC information.
Visit National SAR JROTC and ROTC Program2026-2027 Enhanced JROTC Nomination Form
Current National SAR fillable application, instructions, eligibility checklist, scoring information, and essay requirements.
Download Enhanced JROTC Nomination Form PDFNSSAR Handbook Volume VI
Official National SAR guidance for Youth Programs, State Society awards, Chapter awards, the Enhanced JROTC Program, and other youth competitions.
View NSSAR Handbook Volume VI PDFNational SAR Youth Awards and Contests
National SAR information concerning JROTC, Eagle Scouts, essay contests, oration contests, and other youth programs.
Visit National SAR Youth Awards and ContestsNational SAR Youth Awards Brochure
General brochure covering National SAR youth awards and educational programs.
View National SAR Youth Awards Brochure PDFState Society Contacts
The National SAR JROTC webpage maintains a State Society contact list for applicants, JROTC instructors, ROTC personnel, and SAR members. Because contact assignments can change, use the National SAR webpage rather than relying on a copied list of names or email addresses.
For SAR Chapters
SAR Chapters are encouraged to establish relationships with local JROTC and ROTC units, arrange for presentation of recognition medals, encourage qualified JROTC juniors to participate in the Enhanced Cadet Contest, and coordinate local deadlines with Senior Military Instructors.
Standard ROTC and JROTC medal recipients are selected by their unit Commanding Officer. The Enhanced JROTC Contest is a separate competitive program requiring the nomination form, recommendations, essay, Chapter judging, and advancement through the State Society.
SAR Store Youth Awards and Programs
Support the National JROTC Program
The SAR Foundation maintains an ROTC and JROTC Outstanding Cadet Award program and provides an opportunity to support the JROTC Endowment Fund.
SAR Foundation ROTC and JROTC Outstanding Cadet Award
Questions and Current Information
Program requirements, local deadlines, State Society procedures, forms, and contacts may change. Cadets and instructors should contact the local SAR Chapter or the current State Society JROTC or ROTC contact listed on the National SAR webpage before preparing an application.
Last reviewed: August 18, 2026.