Justin Aldred Steps Up as Battalion Commander of the 135th Corps of Cadets

Battalion Commander Justin Aldred takes the
Wentworth flag from Commandant Darren Fitz Gerald.

In the closing days of the last academic year, Cadet Justin Aldred was chosen from a strong group of up-and-coming young leaders to serve as the Battalion Commander of the 135th Corps of Cadets. From Waynesville, Illinois, a small town in Central Illinois, Aldred stood out in the Corps last year, commanding both Headquarters and Delta companies and being chosen for Phi Theta Kappa, the official honor society for two-year colleges. He will graduate this coming December and simultaneously be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.


Cadet Aldred is supported directly by his key senior cadets in the Corps, the Command Sergeant Major, the Battalion Executive Officer, and the three company commanders. The Command Sergeant Major is Jared Clasen, from Little Rock, Arkansas. Cadet Clasen enlisted in the Army during high school and was selected for Wentworth’s Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program (ECP). Cadet Clasen was one of the top leaders in Alpha Company last year and intends to commission into the infantry and pursue selection to a Special Forces assignment. The Battalion XO is Jade Dale-Perry. Cadet Dale-Perry is the daughter of a Wentworth Old Boy, previously served in the Air Force, is a member of the college basketball and track teams, and will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in May 2015.

Alpha Company is commanded by Stephen Quinn, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Cadet Quinn also distinguished himself in Alpha Company last year. He is a member of the 2+2 ROTC Scholarship Program and upon finishing his degree at Wentworth he will complete his education and earn his commission as an Army officer through the University of North Georgia. Headquarters Company is commanded by Alexandra Holcomb, from Seneca, Missouri. Cadet Holcomb is a member of Wentworth’s college volleyball team and earned recognition last year as one of the best Squad Leaders in the Corps. Her intent this year is to ensure a positive environment in HQ Company and leave a legacy of excellence for future members of the company. Delta Company is commanded by Max Flores, from Spring Hill, Kansas. Max came to Wentworth to prepare to be an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Max has represented Wentworth at Missouri Boys’ State, and as a Company Commander, he is the senior ranking high school cadet at Wentworth.

Lieutenant Colonel Darren Fitz Gerald, Wentworth’s Commandant of Cadets, is confident the Corps will have strong leadership this year, "Cadet Aldred understands the importance of the senior cadet leaders setting a positive example for the Corps. He has developed four key focus areas for his senior leaders to use to guide their cadets: discipline, esprit de corps, respect, and teamwork. He and his team are well on their way to starting a successful academic year the 135th Corps of Cadets."