The Army Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps was established in 1916 under the provisions of the National Defense Act of 1916. With World War I looming on the horizon, this program was established with the intent of providing military training to young men in high school in preparation for service in the US Army. Over time, the program and its mission evolved. In 1973, girls were admitted into the program and the mission changed to its current purpose of "motivating young people to be better citizens." 

The Pueblo County High School Army Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (JROTC) Hornet Battalion was established on 1 July 1968 by Headquarters, United States Army General Order Number 37.

The first JROTC classes were taught during the fall of 1968.  The first Senior Army Instructor was Colonel Wilbur Hilton and the first Army Instructor was Master Sergeant William Petrie.

The Hornet Battalion has been in existence for 41 years.  During those 41 years, the Battalion earned an Honor Unit with Distinction rating 20 years and an Honor Unit rating 18 years.  The Battalion is currently an Honor Unit with Distinction.

Past instructors are as follows:

Senior Army Instructors

COL(R) Wilbur S. Hilton                                             1968 thru 1975

LTC(R) Frank W. Laskowski                                      1975 thru 1982

LTC(R) Charles Smith                                                1982 thru 1983

LTC(R) Donald V. Hallock                                          1983 thru 1994

CPT(R) Daniel Freitas                                                1994 thru 1995

MAJ(R) Austin K. Mikasa                                            1995 thru present

Army Instructors

MSG(R) Warren N. Petrie                                           1968 thru 1973

1SG(R) Jack McNichols                                                1973 thru 1993

MSG(R) Dave Rau                                                       1978 thru 1985

MSG(R) James L. Jones                                               1985 thru 2001

MSG(R) Carl L. Cordova                                              2001 thru 2007

SFC(R) Paul K. Montez                                                 2007 thru 2008

SGM(R) Rodney N. Smith                                             2008 thru present