---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 2033"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "2033"
heading: "Instructor qualifications"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/2033"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part III — Training and Education"
  - "Chapter 102 — Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps"
---

# §2033. Instructor qualifications

- (a) **In General.—** In order for a retired [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) or noncommissioned officer to be employed as an instructor in the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), the [officer](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) must be certified by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned as a qualified instructor in leadership, wellness and fitness, civics, and other courses related to the content of the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), according to the qualifications set forth in subsection [(b)(2)](#b-2) or [(c)(2)](#c-2), as appropriate.
- (b) **Senior Military Instructors.—**
  - (1) **Role.—** Senior [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) instructors shall be retired [officers](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-1) of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) and shall serve as instructional leaders who oversee the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Qualifications.—** A senior [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) instructor shall have the following qualifications:
    - (A) Professional [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) qualification, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned.
    - (B) Award of a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning.
    - (C) Completion of secondary education teaching certification requirements for the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) as established by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned.
    - (D) Award of an advanced certification by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned in core content areas based on—
      - (i) accumulated points for professional activities, services to the profession, awards, and recognitions;
      - (ii) professional development to meet content knowledge and instructional skills; and
      - (iii) performance evaluation of competencies and [standards](/usc/10/3011.md?p=3) within the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) through site visits and inspections.
- (c) **Non-Senior Military Instructors.—**
  - (1) **Role.—** Non-senior [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) instructors shall be retired noncommissioned officers of the [armed forces](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-4) and shall serve as instructional leaders and teach independently of, but share [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) responsibilities with, senior [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) instructors.
  - (2) **Qualifications.—** A non-senior [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) instructor shall demonstrate a depth of experience, proficiency, and expertise in coaching, mentoring, and practical arts in executing the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), and shall have the following qualifications:
    - (A) Professional [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) qualification, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned.
    - (B) Award of an associates degree from an institution of higher learning within five years of employment.
    - (C) Completion of secondary education teaching certification requirements for the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) as established by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned.
    - (D) Award of an advanced certification by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of the [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) concerned in core content areas based on—
      - (i) accumulated points for professional activities, services to the profession, awards, and recognitions;
      - (ii) professional development to meet content knowledge and instructional skills; and
      - (iii) performance evaluation of competencies and [standards](/usc/10/3011.md?p=3) within the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) through site visits and inspections.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, § 539(a), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2210.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 2033, added Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title V, § 547(a)(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 608; amended Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title V, § 577(d)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–140, provided that certain excess amounts appropriated for the National Guard Challenge Program were to be made available for the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, § 596(c)(1), (3), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1127, effective Oct. 1, 2002.