Veterans Memorial High School
JROTC
On 10 May 2019, Veterans Memorial High School was informed to disestablish as a National Defense Cadet Corps and has been approved to establish as a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps with an effective date of 30 June 2019.
The Patriot Battalion is committed to the JROTC Mission, "To motivate young people to be better citizens."
Patriot Battalion Motto: Patriots, Lead the Way!
Patriot Battalion Mission Statement: (Established January 12, 2023) To educate Cadets to become SMART, FIT, DISCIPLINED citizens in their community."
Email: jbaker@judsonisd.org
Phone: 210-619-0220 ext 18162
Qualifications: Bachelor Degree in Exercise and Fitness Management/Sociology; Master Degree in Environmental Management Army Instructor's JROTC School of Cadet Command Course
LTC (R) John L. Baker Jr.
LTC Baker enlisted in the United States Army October 1997 and was first assigned to 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He later attended the Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Chemical Officer. LTC John L. Baker Jr retired to San Antonio, Texas July 2018.
LTC Baker’s previous assignments as an Army Chemical Officer included: Strategic Concepts Officer, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; International Relations Officer and the Operations Chief, On-site Inspection Department, Operations, Exercise, and Readiness Directorate (J3/7) for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA; Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Coordination Element Operation Officer for 20th CBRNE Command and an Executive Officer for 22nd Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; Chief of Operation (CHOPS) for Deputy Commanding Support Operation, National Training Mission - Afghanistan; Command Chemical Officer for 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood, Texas; Assessment Chief for Multi-National Forces - Iraq; Chemical Branch Manager and Future Readiness Officer, Alexandria, Virginia; Assistant S3 (Active Component/Reserve Component), Travis Air Force Base, California; Headquarters Company Commander and Group Chemical Officer, 23rd Area Support Group, South Korea; 3rd Brigade Chemical Officer, Chemical Platoon Leader for 68th Chemical Company, 2nd Battalion - 7th Calvary Regiment Battalion Chemical Officer for 1stCalvary Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
LTC Baker originally hails from Chicago, Illinois. The Baker Family Team consists of his lovely spouse and their four children. He attended Concordia University in River Forest, IL and graduated with a double major Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science and Fitness management and Sociology in 1994 and received his Master of Science degree in Environmental Management from Webster University in 2013. In addition to his civilian education, LTC Baker is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Officer Candidate Course, U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Staff Services School, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Joint and Combined Warfighter School (JPME II), and the Force Management course, How the Army Runs Course.
LTC Baker’s military awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with an oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a bronze service star, Iraq Campaign Medal with a bronze service star, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with a two device and the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Service Medal.