Battalion Commander

Lead the Army and Navy Academy's JROTC battalion: 300+ cadets in grades 7 to 12.

When
2026 – 27
Role
Cadet Battalion Commander
Leading a parade with the battalion staff.
Cadets in full dress uniform in formation on the Academy's field, with the battalion staff in front.

What I built

I work with the President, Commandant, and Senior Army Instructor, evaluate company commanders, run after-action reviews, and set the battalion's goals for the year.

When our staff meetings kept ending without clear next steps, I redesigned how we run them and built a task tracker so every officer knew what they owned.

Sword ceremony, September 2026.
Five cadet officers in camouflage uniforms with white and maroon sashes on the Academy's field.
Briefing an evaluator during our JROTC Program Accreditation inspection.
Three cadets in dress uniform at a table with laptops, briefing an evaluator.

What was hard

I came in at fourteen as one of very few Indian students and some cadets made fun of me for it. Now I'm responsible for every new cadet who feels like they don't fit in.

What I learned

Noticing a problem doesn't fix it. Someone has to get people working on it. My job isn't to do everything myself, it's to help my cadets do their jobs well.

Results

Silver A Award, the Academy's highest honor (one of four seniors).

Before this: Charlie Company First Sergeant (one of six juniors chosen), Platoon Sergeant, and Color Guard Commander.

Record

  1. 9th grade
    Department of the Army Superior Cadet Decoration

    Top junior cadet in the JROTC unit, awarded once a year per class.

  2. 10th grade
    Bronze Patrick Henry Medal

    Military Order of the World Wars, for patriotic leadership.

  3. 11th grade
    First Sergeant, Charlie Company

    One of six juniors chosen. 40+ cadets, morning PT and room inspections before school.

  4. 12th grade
    Battalion Commander

    300+ cadets, grades 7 to 12.

  5. 12th grade
    Silver A Award

    The Academy's highest honor, one of four seniors.