LET 4 - Army Instructor:

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan E. Watson is native from 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.  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.  

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!