Written by: MAJ (Ret.) Micah Ray
HISD’S Absolute Best – Part 4 of 4
Click here to read about Cadet Staff Sergeant Ethan Aragus (part 1)
Click here to read about Cadet Command Sergeant Major Elizabeth Rigney (part 2)
Click here to read about Cadet Major Jasmine “Jai” Nava (part 3)
Houston ISD is the 4th largest district in the United States. JROTC within the district has around 4,000 cadets. Houston MSTC can proudly announce four of their own JROTC cadets are among the top 24 cadets out of 4,000. These four cadets went through a battery of tests and tasks competing to earn a district level promotion and rise to the top of their own battalion’s leadership chain.
Cadet Colonel Erik Jimenez
Cadet Colonel Erik Jimenez
Grade Level: 12th
GPA: 4.5
Clubs and Teams:
- Academic Bowl (commander)
- Color Guard (commander)
- Unarmed Drill (commander)
- Marksmanship Team
National Honor Society: Fall 2021
Competitions:
- 2021/2022 Fall Classic
- 2022/2023 Bluebonnet Drill Meet
- 2022 Spartan Skirmish (Stafford, TX)
- 2022 Battle of the Bayou (Pasadena, TX)
- 2023 5th Brigade Drill Meet (San Antonio, TX)
- May 2023 Army National Drill Meet (Daytona Beach, FL)
Positions Held:
- Squad Leader
- Platoon Sergeant
- Command Sergeant Major
- Battalion Commander (2 years), currently serving as District Level Brigade Commander
Future:
- Erik will graduate and accept an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point
Erik joined Army JROTC as a freshman in August of 2019. Half of his freshman year was shut down due to COVID-19 but that did not deter his ambition to be a solid student and cadet. As a sophomore working from home, he was a class leader online directing his class on tasks and information. Once the pandemic ended, his last two years of school have been nothing short of stellar. He became the battalion commander, and he became a regional color guard champion from Wyoming to Arkansas earning 1st place at the 5th Brigade Regional Drill Meet.
He is a certified trailblazer set to accept an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point inspiring subordinate members of his battalion to apply. He has developed a network of mentors from his instructors to West Point Field Force family members. He is an alum of Texas Boys State and will be a leader in these United States in the very near future.
Top photo caption: District JROTC Director LTC (Retired) Cornell McGhee promoting Erik to the rank of Colonel.
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