In the United States, the National Defense Cadet Corps (NDCC) was the forerunner to the current Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program and is essentially identical to it with just one exception: The NDCC is funded internally by the schools that opt for a military training system like JROTC but without any financial assistance from the Department of Defense. Therefore, the schools bear all costs associated with the program, including military instructor salaries, uniforms, training materials, and any other program expenses. As of 2012, there were three remaining US Army NDCC units in the United States. The US Navy began its program in April 2011. The US Marine Corps and the US Air Force also operate NDCC programs.
History
The NDCC program provides schools that do not qualify for a JROTC unit an opportunity to provide a similar program. JROTC units are designed to "expand students' opportunities to gain the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment." The statute establishing the Navy NDCC (NNDCC) was enacted in 2008. ==Operation==
Operation
As with JROTC units, the U.S. military prescribes the curriculum and materials for instructor and cadet use, as well as legal forms and other supplies that meet regulations required to successfully administer the program. Schools hosting an NDCC unit must comply with statutory and regulatory guidance, just as regular JROTC units must. ==Eligibility==
Eligibility
To be considered for an NDCC unit, the school must be accredited by a United States nationally recognized accrediting agency or be accredited by a state, state educational agency, or state university. The Army NDCC program requires at least 150 students in grade 9 or higher (in the past, 100 students) and the Navy NDCC program requires at least 50 students over 14 years of age. ==References==