What legislation was responsible for the establishment of JROTC?

The establishment of JROTC can be traced back to the National Defense Act of 1916. This legislation was crucial because it formally authorized the creation of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs within high schools across the United States. The goal was to provide military training to young Americans, instilling in them values of citizenship, leadership, and discipline while also preparing them for future service in the armed forces.

While other acts mentioned, such as the National Security Act of 1947 and the Defense Authorization Act, are significant in their own rights related to military structure and national defense policy, they do not specifically address the formation of JROTC programs. The JROTC Vitalization Act of 1964 expanded and supported JROTC programs but was not the foundational legislation that established them. Thus, the National Defense Act of 1916 is correctly identified as the key piece of legislation that initiated the JROTC programs we recognize today.