Which Congressional act established the JROTC program?

The correct answer is the National Defense Act of 1916, which established the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program as part of an effort to promote military training and preparedness among American youth. This act was significant as it set the foundation for the JROTC by allowing military services to create programs in high schools, aiming to teach students leadership skills, citizenship, and community service while preparing them for potential military service.

In the context of the other acts mentioned, none played a direct role in establishing the JROTC program. The National Education Act of 1944 focused primarily on educational benefits for veterans returning from World War II. The National Security Act of 1947 reorganized the military but was not specifically tied to JROTC. The Military Reorganization Act of 1950, while important for military structure, also did not directly address the establishment of the JROTC. Thus, the National Defense Act of 1916 remains the key piece of legislation that directly initiated the JROTC program.