JROTC and Young Marines: Two Paths Into Military Culture — And Two Americas
Across the United States, young people encounter military culture in very different ways. Some meet it in school, where JROTC is woven into the daily routine of classes, hallways, and assemblies. Others join the Young Marines, a community program that families choose because they already feel connected to Marine Corps identity. These two pathways look similar on the surface — uniforms, ranks, discipline — but they reach different communities, shape different identities, and reflect deep inequalities in how military influence spreads across the country. JROTC grows in schools serving Black and Latino youth. Young Marines grows in white suburban communities. Understanding why helps us understand how militarization works, and how youth can push back.
