Chain Of Command | UmatillaJROTC

Meet the Instructors

These are the Veterans that Teach and Motivate us to become better Citizens

Senior Army Instructor

Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Al Nevares

LTC Nevárez graduated in 1986 from The University of South Carolina with an AA & BA in Business. He was commissioned through ROTC and served on Active Duty from 1986-1995. LTC Nevárez entered the USAR AGR Program in 1996 and retired from active duty in 30 SEP 2008. He also holds a Graduate degree in Education from Hofstra University in Long Island, New York and a Leadership Education Specialty Degree from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO.

His assignments include multiple Infantry and Military Intelligence units throughout his 24 years of Active Duty service. LTC Nevárez’s military education includes the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Ranger Course, Airborne and Air Assault Courses, Military Intelligence Transition Course, Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, Counterintelligence Agent Course, US Army Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the US Army Command and General Staff Officer’s Course.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, Army Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Superior Unit Award, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Army Service Ribbon, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Department of the Army Staff Badge.

LTC Nevárez also served with the 24th INF Division in combat during the Persian Gulf War. LTC Nevárez now resides in Eustis, FL and has been a JROTC Senior Army Instructor for 18 years. He has two adult daughters living in New York City and Vero Beach, FL.

Army Instructor

Sergeant First Class Gerrick Smith

SFC Smith has been teaching Junior ROTC in Florida High Schools since July 2007, having retired after nearly 23 years of active-duty service as a Military Police Officer. He is a native of Chicago, Illinois and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Hodges University.

He and his wife Valeria, reside in Mount Dora, and are the proud parents of seven children - Marty, SFC Retired Gerrick Jr, Ninoska, Nia, Jerrick, Nahla, Nariah and two adorable grandchildren, Micah and Aleena Smith.

During his military career, SFC Smith was assigned to a variety of stateside and overseas assignments, to include Fort Hood Texas, Fort McClellan Alabama, Fort Gordon Georgia, South Korea, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Kenya. He served in many positions to include Team Leader, Squad Leader, Special Reaction Team, NCO School Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, Provost Sergeant, Operations Sergeant and Army Recruiter.

SFC Smith’s passion is teaching, mentoring and coaching at all youth levels. In his free time, he enjoys running, playing and coaching basketball and watching LeBron James on whichever team he decides to join!

Meet the Battalion Leaders

The Cadets In The Battalion With The Most Responsibility

These are our leaders that get the whole operation running, being the people with both the Most Responsibility and the Biggest jobs.

Battalion commander

C/LTC Casares

Holds complete control over the entire Battalion, and Holds responsibility for it Aswell

Battalion XO

C/MAJ Weathington

Holds Responsibility for leading part of the Organization, and has Direct control over all of Staff

Command Sergeant Major

C/CSM Sandoval

Holds Responsibility for enlisted all ranked Cadets and has Direct control over them.

Meet The Staff

Motivated And Down Right Dedicated!

They are behind the scenes making sure everything is going according to plan. they have direct control of some of the most important parts of the program, using their control to better the battalion in more ways than one.

S1 - Adjutant

C/CPT Finn

Acts as our Battalions "HR" and his job is to manage over our day to day tasks to make sure its ran both Efficiently, and Proficiently

S2 - Safety And Security Officer

C/CPT Cannon

Manages info about Events and Activities and assesses whether it is Safe or Secure to follow through with said Event/Activities

S3 - Operations And Training

C/MAJ Scribner

Plans events, Supervises all of Staff, and Supervises all of Our Events, and Supervises the Training of the Battalion

S4 - Supply And Logisics Officer

C/CPT Conger

keeps track of Inventory, issues Uniforms, and is responsible for getting any needed Supplies

S5 - Public affairs

C/CPT Vining

Updates the community and betters Our relationship with it by writing news articles, posting on social media, and creating posters to advertise upcoming events

S6 - Automations

C/CPT Chagala

Puts out Information for Events including sign up sheets, while also managing the website

Company Leaders

ALPHA - BRAVO

They have More direct control over the individuals in the battalion, they are the people who're arranging for everything to happen in the actual classes and leading their Companys with pride

ALPHA - Company Commander

C/CPT Wade

Leads Alpha company, manages its personnel, and uplifts their cadet's moral

BRAVO - Company Commander

C/CPT Chagala

Leads Bravo company, manages its personnel, and uplifts their cadet's moral

ALPHA - 1st Sergeant

C/1SG Wisdom

Serves as an advisor to Alpha Company's Commander while being responsible for the Cadets

BRAVO - 1st Sergeant

C/1SG Donovan

Serves as an advisor to Bravo Company's Commander while being responsible for the Cadets