LET 4 - Army Instructor:

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan E. Watson is a native of Washington D.C.  He is a graduate of Bowie State University in Bowie, MD where he received his commission as a Regular Army Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps.  He holds a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Northern Colorado and has a Master of Arts Degree in Training and Performance Improvement from Capella University.  He also has a specialist degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University.  

LTC Watson began his career with the 305th Quartermaster Company (FWD), 227th Maintenance Battalion, Camp Casey, Korea, where he served as a Supply Platoon Leader for a forward detachment.  He also served as a company executive officer for the 493rd Supply Company, 68th Corps Support Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado.  Following his promotion to Captain, other assignments include:  Brigade Maintenance Officer, 1ST Brigade, 24th Infantry Division; (S1) Battalion Adjutant, 599th Quartermaster Battalion (Water Supply), Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; and Company Commander of the 202/205 Quartermaster Company (Water Purification), Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.  After his company commander tour, he served as an instructor at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  In May of 2000, LTC Watson was promoted to the rank of Major and assigned to the 2d Forward Support Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, Camp Hovey, Korea, where he served as the Battalion Executive Officer.  He later served as the Aide-de-camp to the Commander of the 8th United States Army, and Support Operation Officer of the 501st Corps Support Group, 19th Theater Support Command, Korea.  

Upon his return to the states, LTC Watson served as the Chief of Current Operations, 

(G-3) at Headquarters. U.S. Army Materiel Command.  While serving as the Chief of Current Operation, he was deployed to Iraq to assist the Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq, Iraqi Government and the Iraqi Armed Forces with establishing an Armed Forces Logistics Infrastructure following his redeployment LTC Watson took Command the 835th Transportation Battalion, Naha Military port, Okinawa, Japan.  He also served in Somalia (Operation Restore Hope) and Kuwait (Operation Vigilant Warrior).    

LTC Watson’s military awards and decoration include the highly decorated Legion of Merit Award for his service, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Services Medal (2 OLC), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), and the Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC).  The Iraq Campaign Medal, the United Nations Medal Somalia and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.  He is also authorized to wear the Army Parachutist Page.

LTC Watson retired in 2013 and resides in Gotha, Florida.  On September 30, 2016, the Orlando Business Journal hosted its 2016 Veterans of Influence Awards luncheon, in which retired LTC Jonathan Watson was honored among 24 other veterans. After completing his service, he joined Orange County Public Schools as a way to give back to the community. Through his teachings he has brought back the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at Jones High School to its full glory. In an effort to enhance the Student Learning Environment, LTC Watson teamed up with several school organizations on campus ranging from the Student Government Association, Women’s Volleyball team, Jones High School tutoring program, among others to bring positive exposure to the JROTC program. This collaboration also resulted in increased student participation in extracurricular activities. LTC Watson is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporate.  LTC Watson’s goal is to help students learn to make better decisions, so they can make their most positive dreams come true.”  Since the 2022-2023 school year, LTC Watson has been serving as the JROTC Senior Army Instructor at East River High School, Orlando, Florida.  For the 2024-2025 school year, LTC Watson was recognized as an Orange County Public Schools Hero teacher because of his commitment to students’ success and dedication. LTC Watson also serves as the 6th Brigade Area 4 Coordinator for 16 Army JROTC programs in Central Florida. 

LET 1 - Army Instructor 

My name is Sergeant First Class Eric Flores. I am a 20-year retired United States Army Senior Noncommissioned Officer and Certified IT Specialist. I was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and raised in Manhattan, New York. I graduated from Manalapan High School in New Jersey, and joined the U.S. Army, traveling the world, and finally retiring in Orlando, Florida on November 1, 2011. I served from 1987-1991 as a Computer Machine Operator and then from 1995-2011 as a Signal Support Systems Specialist and Information Technology Analyst.

LET 2 - Army Instructor 

My name is Sergeant First Class (Retired) Mark Kalapp. Joined the Army Reserves in 1981 as a Combat Engineer, and went on active duty in 1987. Overseas duty stations where he served with included the 12th Engineer Battalion, 82nd Engineer Battalion Germany, and 2nd Engineer Battalion Korea. The most rewarding position of his Army career was serving as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, transforming civilians into soldiers. During this time, he attended evening classes through Columbia College and earned a B.A. Degree in History/Political Science.

LET 3- Army Instructor 

My name is Sergeant First Class Joel Murray. I was raised in both California and South Carolina.  I enlisted in the Army on Sept 25th, 2001, shortly after the events of 9/11, and retired after 22 years of continuous service. I served as a Petroleum Supply Specialist, Mortuary Affairs Specialist, and Career Recruiter.  I earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Arizona State University and am certified by the Florida Department of Education in Social Sciences. My goal is to ensure every student earns their high school diploma while also developing a passion to learn and grow. I have five children and my favorite pastimes are reading, dancing, video games, and watching the San Francisco 49ers blaze the trail to victory!