Battalion Commander
C/LTC Sydney Thomas
Who is the Battalion Commander?
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What does the Battalion Commander do?
The Battalion Commander has the most demanding job. He or she must be mature, willing to accept responsibility, able to delegate authority, and be competent at supervising others. Commanders are Cadets who have demonstrated leadership ability and good academic standing. The duties and responsibilities of the Battalion Commander are:
- Is responsible for all battalion activities
- Sets battalion goals and objectives
- Manages officer promotions and assignments
- Provides planning guidance for battalion activities
- Approves battalion plans and orders
- Prepares the battalion for the JROTC Program for Accreditation (JPA)
- Supervises the battalion executive officer (XO), command sergeant major (CSM), and company commanders
- Provides guidance to company commanders—duties and responsibilities
- Prepares and delivers the battalion commander part of the battalion briefing
- Conducts periodic inspections
Executive Officer
C/MAJ Sofia Garibay
Who is the Executive Officer?
The Executive Officer for the 2025-2026 School Year is Cadet Sofia Garibay. She is a drill commander, and she has participated in JLAB, and Color Guard, Unit Police, was the S3 for the 2023-2024 school year and the Charlie Company Commander for the 2024-2025 school year.
What does the Executive Officer do?
The XO supervises and coordinates staff to prevent overlapping efforts and ensure that the commander’s goals are achieved. He or she sets specific goals for the staff and supervises them. The XO keeps staff informed of policies and projects. If the battalion commander is absent, the XO is in charge. The duties of the XO are to:
- Assists the Battalion Commander in all duties
- Supervises and coordinates the work of the battalion staff
- Ensures timely completion of staff reports and projects
- Acts as the Battalion Commander in their absence
- Facilitates communication between staff and companies
- Helps plan and execute battalion events and activities
Battalion Command Sergeant Major
C/CSM Aaliyah Wilborn
Who is the Battalion Command Sergeant Major?
The Battalion Command Sergeant Major for the 2025-2026 school year is Cadet Command Sergeant Major Aaliyah Wilborn. She is a senior and has participated in Drill, Color Guard, Raiders, and Rifle. She has a lot of passion for this program, and is excited for what's to come, and to be able to help and grow the program.
What does the Battalion Command Sergeant Major do?
The CSM is the chief advisor to the battalion commander on junior enlisted personnel and NCO matters. The CSM provides input on battalion goals and objectives and supervises the battalion color guard. The CSM leads the NCO support channel. He or she works through subordinate NCOs (First Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and Squad Leader) to accomplish the mission, goals, and objectives established by the chain of command. The responsibilities of the CSM include:
- Maintaining the national, state, and battalion Colors
- Director of all color guard matters
- Coordinating with battalion Senior NCOs (First Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant) and other staff Officers.
- Giving input to battalion plans and orders
- Preparing and delivering the battalion CSM portion of the battalion staff briefing
- Ensuring cleanliness and maintenance of all battalion areas
Battalion Coordinating Staff
C/2LT Cash Tillison
Who is the Deputy Executive Officer?
The DXO for the '24-'25 school year is Cadet Cash Tillison. He has participated in Raiders, Rifle, Drill, Color Guard and attended JCLC in 2024. He was awarded most dedicated drill male and most improved male raider. He was the captain of the JLAB Academic Team, S-3 last year, and leads the Exhibition Drill Team.
What does the DXO do?
The DXO is the assistant to the Executive Officer and has many personnel duties. The DXO is responsible for maintaining battalion finances, leading the battalion staff with the XO and taking charge in the tasks given to them by the Command Team.
C/CPT Sinai Hernandez
Who is the S-1?
The S1 for the 2025-2026 school year is Cadet Sinai Hernandez. She participated on drill this year and was a member of the Female Regulation Squad. She was awarded the excellent staff member ribbon.
What does the S1 do?
The S-1 Cadet is the battalion Personnel and has many administrative duties. The S-1 uses the JROTC Unit Management System (JUMS) to record enrollment in JROTC, promotions, demotions, leadership assignments, awards, team membership, and event participation
C/SFC Justin Owens
Who is the S-2?
The S-2 for the 2025–2026 school year is Cadet Justin Owens. He has been an active member of the Raider Team, Rifle Team, Drill Team, and Color Guard, with extensive experience in Exhibition Drill. He has also participated in the Academic JLAB Team and served on Unit Patrols. Cadet Owens attended and graduated from the National Flight Academy, completed JCLC, and was awarded the 2024–2025 LET 1 Superior Cadet Award, as well as a Certificate of Commendation from directors in Atlanta Public Schools while at the National Flight Academy.
What does the S2 do?
The S-2 Cadet is the battalion security officer. They are responsible for maintaining the battalion arms rooms and keeping an inventory of all sensitive or pilferable government property. He is also in charge of keeping up with the weather and the merit & demerit system.
C/SFC Karlie Garibay
Who is the S-3?
The S3 for the '24-'25 school year is Cadet Karlie Garibay. She is a LET 2 Cadet. She has been in Drill and Color Guard. She has been the State Guard and State Colors bearer in color guard events, She attended JCLC in 2025, and she was awarded the LET 1 Superior Cadet Award.
What does the S3 do?
S-3 is in charge of battalion plans, operations, and training. The S-3 Cadet integrates battalion and school activities. They publish orders and are responsible for planning major battalion activities and briefing companies. The S-3 prepares risk assessments for all major battalion activities, keeps a school year training calendar, and publishes the weekly training schedule.
C/CPT Joslyn Moore
Who is the S-6?
The Special Projects Officer (also known as S-6) for the '25-'26 is Cadet Joslyn Moore. She has participated in Drill and JLAB Academic Team. She was also the Drill and Band manager.
What does the S6 do?
The Special Projects Officer is responsible for whatever is needed in the battalion. She helps out wherever she is needed. She also assists the S5 in public affairs.
C/SFC Melissa Thomas
C/2LT Arianna Salgado Portrait
Who is the S-4?
The S-4 Cadet is in charge of logistics. The S-4 Cadet is responsible for maintaining battalion supply rooms, inventories of supplies, issuing uniforms, and alerting the Army Instructor (AI) if supplies are low. They are also accountable for battalion property and provide supplies for all major battalion activities. The S-4 is an expert in JUMS and maintains Cadet uniforms and equipment records in the system. The S-4 also helps issue Cadet uniforms and accessories.
What does the S-4 do?
The S-4 Cadet is in charge of logistics. The S-4 Cadet is responsible for maintaining battalion supply rooms, inventories of supplies, issuing uniforms, and alerting the Army Instructor (AI) if supplies are low. They are also accountable for battalion property and provide supplies for all major battalion activities. The S-4 is an expert in JUMS and maintains Cadet uniforms and equipment records in the system. The S-4 also helps issue Cadet uniforms and accessories.
