Members of JROTC are easily spotted within the halls of North Atlanta. Their decorated ironed army uniform paired with sleek black dress shoes are a dead giveaway that they are a part of one of North Atlanta’s most respected programs. The leader of this prestigious unit is the Battalion Commander, the highest position given out to JROTC members. For this 2020-2021 school year, senior Brandon Flash has been named Battalion Commander. 

Flash joined JROTC his freshman year as he had an interest in the military and wanted a way to experience aspects of it. His older brother, Zach Flash was also a JROTC Battalion Commander during the 2016-2017 school year. Now, Zach Flash is a senior at the US Air Force Academy. Brandon Flash also plans to take that route as he hopes to attend the United States Air Force Academy to become a fighter pilot and earn an astronautical engineering degree. Additionally, after graduating from the US Air Force Academy, Flash plans to serve 20 years in the Air Force. His favorite part of JROTC is the Drill and Ceremony. “I love to teach the new cadets how to march and how to do certain movements,” said Flash. 

Flash has won impressive awards that stack his resume. He was a recipient of the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross Awards, an award only given out to five JROTC cadets in Georgia. This award is also one of the highest awards a cadet can receive. Flash also was awarded the Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Inc, awarded for achievement of scholastic excellence in military and academic subjects. These impressive achievements add to why Flash was selected to be Battalion Commander for the Warriors.

Before becoming Battalion Commander, Flash held the position of Command Sergeant Major. With this position comes the responsibility of planning Color Guard missions for school and community events. Another position Flash held was S-5, making him in charge of the Battalion website, social media, and newsletter. Now, Flash has moved up the ranks to be the highest position of JROTC. As the leader of NAHS Battalion, Flash now holds weekly meetings to check up on his staff and cadets and helps guide them through their assigned tasks. “As the Battalion Commander of the Warrior Battalion it is my responsibility to make sure that all cadets, including the new ones, are doing their part to make our Battalion successful,” Flash said.

Flash has proven himself to be a great leader and role model to cadets in North Atlanta’s Battalion and brings pride and appreciation to JROTC as a whole. Flash also exhibits what it means to be the cream of the crop and show excellence at North Atlanta.