What was the act that formalized the establishment of JROTC?

The National Defense Act formalized the establishment of JROTC, which stands for Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. This act was pivotal in promoting military training programs in high schools across the United States. Enacted in 1916, the National Defense Act aimed to provide military training to students and instill leadership, discipline, and citizenship, thereby preparing youths to contribute positively to both their communities and the military if needed. This initiative revealed a strategic effort to cultivate future leaders and strengthen national defense through early training and education.

The other options, while related to military or education policies, do not specifically address the establishment of the JROTC program. The Education Act focuses more broadly on educational reforms without tying directly to military training. The Military Training Act, though it sounds relevant, does not precisely define JROTC's origins. The Reserve Officers Act pertains to the organization and training of reserve officer forces but is not the basis for the JROTC system. Therefore, the National Defense Act remains the foundational legislation that established JROTC as a program intended to integrate military training within the educational framework of high schools.