Personal Inspection

• Men's hair


  Neat, clean, trimmed, and presents a well-groomed appearance. Above the ears and around the back: may be tapered upwards 3/4 inch and outwards not greater than 3/4 inch. Must not touch the collar or a line drawn parallel to the ground at the bottom of the ears. No longer than 4 inches and the bulk shall not exceed 2 inches (so no part of the hair shall the walk or length of your hair interfere with the proper wearing of your cap. Bulk is defined as the distance that the mass of the hair protrudes from the scalp as indicated by the---line in the drawing that allows) One now part in the hair is authorized. This may be cut, clipped, or shaved. Plaited or braided hair is unauthorized. Hair may not show under the front brim of any uniform cap.
• Ethnic hairstyles


  Permitted, provided they are groomed to fit within the guidelines stated here. Bizarre hairstyles and faddish or outrageous multicolor hair are not authorized. Hair color must look natural and complement the individual
• Sideburns


  Neatly trimmed and tailored as described here. Shall not extend below a point level with the middle of the ear, as indicated by line A and shall be of even width (not tapered or flared) Shall end with a clean-shaven horizontal line.
• Mustaches


  Neat and closely trimmed. No portion shall extend below the upper lip line as indicated by line D. Shall not be below the horizontal line extending across the corners of the mouth as indicated by line B. Shall not be more than 1/4 inch beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth as indicated by line C. No other facial hair is permitted.
• Fingernails


  Will not extend past the fingertips
• Earrings/Studs


  Not authorized in the ear, nose, eyebrows, tongue, lips, or other areas of the face or body visible to the naval science instructor.
• Necklaces


  Authorized, but shall not be visible.
• Rings


  One per hand is authorized.
• Wristwatch/Bracelet


  One of each is authorized but no ankle bracelets.
• Sunglasses


  A conservative pair is permitted when authorized by the naval science instructor. Sunglasses are never authorized in military formations. Retainer straps are not authorized
• The vertical axis of the rank/rate insignia and the JROTC bar insignia are positioned along an imaginary line bisecting the angle of the collar point. The center of each insignia is 1-1/8 inch from the collar point.
• Service stars are worn 1/4 inch above the top row of ribbons. One star is centered, and multiple stars that are not joined as a single device are 1/4 inch apart from each other, centered on the ribbons. Multiple stars joined as a single device shall be centered on the ribbons.
• Ribbons and no tag are worn parallel to the top of the shirt pocket, 1/4 inch above and centered on the pocket but below. Medals are worn 1/4 inch below the top of the pocket, evenly centered.
• Garrison cap


  The basic garrison cap is worn with the Service uniform.
• Anchor on garrison cap

  The small fouled anchor is worn on the garrison cap. The anchor is worn on the wearer's left side of the cap. The center of the anchor is bisected by a vertical line 2 inches from the fore crease of the garrison cap and a horizontal line 1-1/2 inches from the bottom edge of the cap.
• Rank/rate insignia on garrison cap

  Only officers and chiefs wear the rank/rate insignia on the garrison cap. It is worn on the wearer's right side. The center of the rank rate insignia is bisected by a vertical line 2 inches from the fore crease of the garrison cap and a horizontal line 1-1/2 inches from the bottom edge of the cap.
• The JROTC bar insignia for the male's Service Dress Blue coat are positioned 1/2 inch and parallel to the deck. The vertical axis of each insignia is centered on the red of the coat collar. The JROTC bar insignia is worn on the wearer's left side.
• Name tags are worn parallel to the deck, not to the coat pocket. 1/4 inch above and centered on the pocket. Medals are worn 1 inch below the top of the pocket, evenly centered.
• ACC cap


  The large fouled anchor is worn on the ACC. Cadet chief petty officers wear a black chin strap on the cap; cadet officers wear a gold chin strap.
• Insignia on garrison cap (officers/CPOs)

  The small fouled anchor and rank/rate insignias are worn on the garrison cap for officers and chiefs. The anchor is worn on the wearer's left side of the cap; the rank/rate insignia is worn on the wearer's right side. The center of the anchor insignia and the center of the rank/rate insignia is bisected by a vertical line 2 inches from the fore crease of the garrison cap and a horizontal line 1-1/2 inches from the bottom edge of the cap.
• Meritorious Achievement ribbon is awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any NJROTC cadet who distinguishes himself only by outstanding meritorious achievement or performance of a meritorious act. Excludes such things as length of participation in the NJROTC unit or sustained superior performance in a leadership position. Awarded on a case-by-case basis by the Area Manager.
• Naval Science 3 Outstanding Cadet(s) ribbon is awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 3 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.
• Only one of any ribbon design may be worn. Subsequent awards may be worn on ribbons 1 through 7, and 8 through 26. No more than eight awards (including the original ribbon award) are authorized.
• Stars are worn one ray up, two rays down. They are awarded as follows: (a) Second Award - 1 BRONZE STAR, (b) Third Award - 2 BRONZE STARS, (c) Fourth Award - 1 SILVER STAR, (d) Fifth Award - 2 SILVER STARS, (e) Sixth Award - 1 GOLD STAR, (f) Seventh Award - 2 GOLD STARS, (g) Eighth Award - 3 GOLD STARS.
• There are four ribbons which can be worn "incorrectly" (i.e., upside down)
• General rule of thumb for wearing ribbons

  Unit service, color guard, PFT, distinguished cadet
• A beret is a vierless, woolen cap, with a right hand and a sulfap
• The alignment of the tip of the back with the base of the belt buckle is called the "gig line"
• A visorless, friding cap worn as part of a military uniform is called a garrison cap
• The alignment of the waist of the shirt and trousers with the edge of the belt buckle is called the "gig line"
• A covering for the leg is called a legging
• Precedence means priority of importance
• A thin lacquer coating applied to brass devices, particularly belt buckles and tips, to protect the surface while in shipment and storage is called "salt"
• Service Dress Blue (SDB) is a uniform
• Service stars are used to designate the number of years satisfactorily completed in the NJROTC program
• The white fabric of the combination cover which shows between the black band and the seam of the upper cover when the cover is correctly rigged or set up, there should be no smile visible
• Uniform of the Day

  The uniform your Senior Naval Science Instructor (SNSI) will direct you to wear on any given day
• NJROTC units will differ in rate assignments and advancement systems; they may require practical tests to qualify for advancement in rate
• NJROTC Cadet Enlisted Rates

  • Cadet Seaman Recruit (C/SR)
  • Cadet Seaman Apprentice (C/SA)
  • Cadet Seaman (C/SN)
  • Cadet Petty Officer Third Class (C/PO3)
  • Cadet Petty Officer Second Class (C/PO2)
  • Cadet Petty Officer First Class (C/PO1)
  • Cadet Chief Petty Officer (C/CPO)
  • Cadet Senior Chief Petty Officer (C/SCPO)
  • Cadet Master Chief Petty Officer (C/MCPO)
• Cadet Seaman Recruit (C/SR)


  • Assigned to new cadets in the process of learning the NJROTC program