Panther Battalion Commanding Officer
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Destiny Romero
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I was very shy entering high school and I joined MCJROTC to gain confidence and to grow as a person. As a freshman, I really benefited from the family type atmosphere of MCJROTC and the great cadet leaders in the program. Those things influenced me to step out of my comfort zone to challenge myself. I became part of the Color Guard, Drill and Raiders (Physical Fitness) teams. I have had great experiences in those activities and in going on numerous MCJROTC field trips. I have to admit that I knew nothing about leadership when I first joined MCJROTC, but I took the academic classes to heart and tried to model myself after the cadet leaders I admired. I now try to live and lead by the Marine Corps’ Core Values, Leadership Traits and Leadership Principles. They have helped me become an honor roll student, an accomplished athlete, the co-captain of my cheerleading squad, and a better leader in MCJROTC. This program changed my life, and I look forward to serving my family, cadets, and community as the Panther Battalion Commanding Officer.
Panther Battalion Executive Officer
Cadet Major Logan Perez
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I began high school at a different school. Luckily, they had a MCJROTC program, and I joined it my freshman year. I was influenced by my older brother, who was attending Orange High School (OHS) and was in its MCJROTC unit. I enjoyed the structure, discipline and teamwork aspects of MCJROTC from the beginning. My sophomore year, I was fortunate enough to transfer to OHS to be with my brother. I found the OHS MCJROTC family to be very welcoming and encouraging when I arrived. That got me to get more involved in MCJROTC activities. I have been on several field trips and participated in numerous community service and ceremonial events. I also grew as a leader, and I began to take pride in helping train younger cadets. As a senior and LE IV cadet, I take my role as mentor very seriously, and I look forward to helping advance the OHS MCJROTC program to new heights.
Battalion Administrative Officer (S-1)
Cadet Captain Jaylee Samano
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I joined MCJROTC after getting a brief on it during my freshmen orientation at Orange High School. I wanted to improve my confidence and self-discipline, so I took a chance and signed up for MCJROTC. It was the best decision I have made in high school! Through my MCJROTC experiences on field trips, during community service events and in the classroom, I have grown way beyond what I thought possible. I am more composed and self-assured and, through introspection, I have now identified my path forward: serving our nation either as a Marine Corps Military Policewoman or as a Navy Religious Program Specialist. I will always appreciate the friendships and memories I made in MCJROTC.
Battalion Operations Officer (S-3)
Cadet Captain Hayley Neeper
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I transferred to Orange High School (OHS) as a senior, having come from a school with an Air Force JROTC. I really enjoyed JROTC at my old school where I had risen to a high rank and handled many responsibilities. I was happy to learn that OHS had a MCJROTC program when I arrived, and I appreciate how the program welcomed me. I also appreciate the trust the program has placed in me by making me the Captain of the Cybersecurity Team and the Battalion Operations Officer. I am excited to provide what I learned from my Air Force JROTC experiences to the OHS program while I learn what MCJROTC has to offer.
Battalion Logistics Officer (S-4)
Cadet Captain Jeremiah Brown
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I first became aware of the MCJROTC program when Orange High School (OHS) cadets performed a Color Guard and ran the PE program at my middle school one day. I was really impressed with their uniforms, confidence and leadership, and I made a decision to join MCJROTC as I entered OHS the next year. I have really enjoyed the field trips and learning manual of sword. I have done manual of sword during our Marine Corps Birthday celebrations, and at the Villa Park High School’s French Wedding ceremonies. I was also on our program’s first Space Team last year. I have become very knowledgeable in the proper wear and care of the MCJROTC uniforms, and I take pride in helping other cadets with uniforms and in passing on what I have learned to other cadets. I look forward to supporting the program as the Battalion Logistics Officer.
Battalion Public Affairs Officer (S-6)
Cadet Captain Rodolfo Romero
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I joined MCJROTC to challenge myself. I was very shy and out of shape as an underclassmen, and wanted to improve in those areas. I knew MCJROTC was the best opportunity for me to do that. From day one I enjoyed the atmosphere in MCJROTC with cadets from 9th – 12th grade working together. I appreciated the upper classmen mentoring me when I began, and I began to become more confident because of it. I started taking photos for the MCJROTC program, and I became interested in the Raiders program as a result. I have trained hard, lost a lot of weight, and have gotten into the best shape of my life. I graduated from the 10 day long Marine Corps Devil Pups program this past summer, and am now a member of the Raiders team. I would not have thought these things were possible three years ago. MCJROTC has changed my life and I am grateful for it.
Battalion Sergeant Major
Cadet Sergeant Major Kevin Garcia-Solano
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I began high school not knowing many people, and I did not have a lot of confidence. As a freshman in PE, I saw the MCJROTC cadets exercising and playing sports in their physical training uniforms. They were organized and motivated, and I liked that cadets were running things. I decided to join MCJROTC my sophomore year, and it was the best decision I could have made. I immediately joined the Color Guard, Drill and Raiders (Physical Fitness) teams. These activities have given me experiences I could not get anywhere else in high school, and I have grown in confidence because of them. I have commanded Color Guard teams in front of large audiences and led the Raiders to victory in several competitions. I am proud to be the Captain of the male Raiders Team this year, and to serve as the Panther Battalion Sergeant Major. I look forward to passing on the knowledge and skills I have gained to the next generation of cadets.
Battalion Drill Master
Cadet First Sergeant Ethan Flores
Remarks regarding the OHS MCJROTC Program
I joined MCJROTC my freshman year after watching how much my older brother gained from being in the program. I was very interested in drill from that start and worked hard to become proficient in drill and Color Guard procedures. I am proud that, as a freshman, I commanded Color Guards that performed in front of thousands of people and in several competitions. I am also proud that I was on the drill team that achieved a perfect score on our Commanding General’s Inspection as a freshman. As an upperclassman I have led drill and Color Guard teams in front of large audiences and to victory in several competitions. I have also trained dozens of my fellow cadets in drill and Color Guard, and I take pride in watching them grow and excel. I am excited to continue to train our cadets as the Panther Battalion Drill Master this year.