50 Common Knowledge Questions
1. What Congressional Act is the legal basis for the formation of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at colleges and, thus, for Junior ROTC at high schools?
Answer: National Defense Act, 1916
2. What is the Mission of Army JROTC?
Answer: To motivate young people to be better citizens.
3. Who is considered the "father" of JROTC?
Answer: Captain Alden Partridge. In 1819, he founded the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy at Norwich, Vermont. Military studies were a major part of the Academy's course work. Today, the Academy is known as Norwich University, on of our nation's premiere military colleges.
4. What does "JROTC" mean?
Answer: Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.
5. What does "LET" mean?
Answer: Leadership Education Training
6. What do "SAI" and "AI" mean?
Answer: Senior Army Instructor and Army Instructor
7. What are the four parts of the Cadet Code?
Answer: 1) Goals: ..Self-reliance
..Patriotism
..Possess high moral values
..Respect for constituted authority
..Develop leadership and citizenship skills
2) Learn to follow before leading.
3) Be 100% responsible for one's actions.
4) Don't lie, cheat, steal, or bring discredit to JROTC.
8. What is your job in JROTC?
Answer: Say your rank and position. For instance, "I am Private Smith, a member of the 2nd squad." Or, "I am Sergeant Smith, 2nd Squad leader." Or, "I am Second Lieutenant Smith, the Battalion S-1."
9. What is the only excuse for failing to meet your cadet responsibilities?
Answer: There is none! Your response is "No excuse".
10. Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Military services?
Answer: The President
11. In the Pledge of Allegiance, what does the flag "stand for"?
Answer: Our "Republic", meaning our representative form of government.
12. What are the two (2) ways to obtain US citizenship?
Answer: By birth and by naturalization
13. What is a "leader"?
Answer: A leader is a person in a position of responsibility who influences and directs others to accomplish unit or organization goals.
14. What are the three (3) basic Principles of Leadership?
Answer: 1) Set the example in all ways at all times.
2) Know your job, yourself, and your subordinates.
3) Take responsibility.
15. What are the three (3) leadership "styles"?
Answer: 1) Directing
2) Delegating
3) Participatory
16. What are the three (3) types of US flags?
Answer: Garrison flag (20 x 38 feet); Post flag (8 x 11 feet); and Storm flag (5 x 9 feet)
17. What does a flag at half-staff symbolize?
Answer: A sign of mourning
18. How do you raise A flag to half-staff?
Answer: Raise the flag to the top and then lower it half way.
19. How do you lower a flag from half-staff?
Answer: Raise the flag t the top and then lower it all the way down
20. What do the stars on the US flag represent?
Answer: The 50 stars represent our 50 states.
21. What do the stripes on the US flag represent?
Answer: The 13 stripes represent our 13 original colonies.
22. What do the colors of the US flag represent?
Answer: Red=valor; White=purity; Blue=honor
23. Why do you salute?
Answer: A salute is a recognition and a greeting between military members.
24. Who salutes first?
Answer: The junior in rank BEGINS the salute first and End the salute last.
25. When would a uniformed JROTC cadet salute indoors?
Answer: When reporting to an inspecting officer and reporting to an officer when summoned to report (e.g., you are told on uniform day to report to the SAI.)
26. When would a uniformed JROTC cadet salute outdoors?
Answer: 1) When passing a cadet officer or a military officer.
2) When the US flag passes by or is being encased.
3) When a cannon salute is fired.
4) When saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
5) When the following music is played:
a) National Anthem
b) "Taps"
c) "Hail to the Chief"
d) Reveille (sounded when the flag is raised on a military post in the morning)
e) Retreat (sounded when the flag is lowered on a military post in the evening)
27. If the US flag is passing by, when does a uniformed JROTC cadet salute?
Answer: When you see the flag approaching, stand at attention. When the flag is six (6) steps away, look at the flag and begin the salute. Hold the salute and follow the flag with your head and eyes. End the salute when the flag is six (6) steps passed you.
28. If an officer (cadet or military) passes by, when does a uniformed JROTC cadet salute?
Answer: Begin your salute when the officer is three (3) to six (6) steps away. Make eye contact and greet the officer with a "Good morning/Afternoon/Evening, Sir or Ma'am." Hold your salute till the officer completes the salute then you drop your salute.
29. What is the distance of a normal marching step?
Answer: 30 inches
30. How long is the step in "Right Step, March!" , "Left Step, March!" , "Backward, March!" , and "Fall, Out!"
Answer: 15 inches
31. What are the four (4) "rest" positions?
Answer: 1) Parade Rest, 2) Stand at Ease, 3) At Ease, 4) Rest
32. In these "rest" positions, how far apart are the heels of your shoes?
Answer: Ten (10) inches
33. On what foot is the command, "Rear, March!" given?
Answer: Right foot
34. What is the only command given after "Present, Arms!"?
Answer: "Order, Arms!"
35. In platoon drill, when the command "Open Ranks, March!" is given, how many steps does each squad take?
Answer: 1st Squad: Two (2) 30-inch steps forward
2nd Squad: One (1) 30-inch step forward
3rd Squad: Stands fast, takes no steps
4th Squad: Two (2) 15-inch steps backward
36. In platoon drill, when the command "Close Ranks, March!" is given, how many steps does each squad take?
Answer: 1st Squad: Four (4) 15-inch steps backward
2nd Squad: Two (2) 15-inch steps backward
3rd Squad: Stands fast, takes no steps
4th Squad: One (1) 30-inch step forward
Fourteen (14) leadership traits:
Bearing Endurance Judgement Loyalty
Courage Enthusiasm Justice Tact
Decisiveness Initiative Knowledge Unselfishness
Dependability Integrity
37. Define Bearing
Answer: Bearing is presenting a favorable appearance and behavior.
38. Define Courage
Answer: Physical courage is calmly and firmly overcoming fear and danger. Courage is standing up for your beliefs, for what is right and just, even when others disagree or mock you.
39. Define Decisiveness
Answer: Decisiveness is making the best decision possible with the information available to you at the time and expressing it clearly and forcefully.
40. Define Dependability
Answer: Dependability is always meeting your responsibilities, being where you are supposed to be, and doing what you say you will do.
41. Define Endurance
Answer: Endurance is stamina measured by your physical ability to withstand fatigue and hardship and by your mental toughness to overcome difficulties, challenges and disappointments.
42. Define Enthusiasm
Answer: Enthusiasm is the display of genuine interest and positive attitude when performing any task.
43. Define Initiative
Answer: initiative is doing what has to be done without being told to do it.
44. Define Integrity
Answer: The most essential leader trait. Integrity is being truthful and honest-not only to others but also to yourself. Integrity is not negotiable! There is no middle ground- you are either honest 100% of the time or you are not!!
45. Define Judgement
Answer: Judgement is making the best possible decision after weighing all the facts.
46. Define Justice
Answer: Justice is being impartial, fair and consistent in exercising authority and especially in assessing rewards and punishments.
47. Define Knowledge
Answer: Knowledge is being proficient in your job and knowing your subordinates' strengths and weaknesses.
48. Define Loyalty
Answer: Loyalty is giving full support to the unit's mission as outlined by the leader even though you may disagree with the mission or may not like the leader.
49. Define Tact
Answer: Tact is the ability to relate to others without being rude, discourteous, or offensive.
50. Define Unselfishness
Answer: Unselfishness is not taking advantage of your authority or position for personalgain at the expense of your subordinates. Care for them first; then take care if yourself.
