Instructors

MajOR Mark Knight

Senior Army Instructor

Welcome to Ball High School on wonderful Galveston Island! I'm Major Knight the Senior Army Instructor here. I've been here since I retired from active duty in 2013. In the military I served as a Medic, Ranger, Infantryman, Paratrooper & finally as a Pilot & Aeromedical Evacuation Officer of both UH-1 (Huey's) to HH-60 (Blackhawk's). Now, I currently serve as the Senior Army Instructor here in the Tornado Battalion. Our mission is to "Motivate young people to be better citizens". Our corps values are Care, Professionalism & Respect. We also follow the Army Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity & Personal Courage. We have been undergoing a transformation since I arrived. My initial intent when I arrived was to focus on multiple areas. Goal #1: Highly functional and safe facilities (Drill Pad, Classrooms, Uniform Warehouse, Rifle Range).Goal #2: Provide a challenging and community connected curriculum that inspires, motivates, certifies & promotes well led cadets to reach new academic & physical heights. Goal #3: Work towards self-sustainability as a program.

 

First sergeant james krause, army instructor let 1 & let 4 academics

JROTC 1 & 4

1SG (Retired) James P. Krause grew up in Livonia, Michigan and graduated from Franklin High School in 1992.

He joined the U.S. Army on 8 July 1992 and attended Basic Training at Ft. McClellan, AL. He spent 26 years in the US Army as an Infantrymen. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisville, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri. He is a graduate of the US Army Airborne School, the US Army Ranger School, Pathfinder School, Jumpmaster School, Senior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Warrior Leader Course, the US Army Drill Sergeant School, Basic Combatives Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Master Resiliency Training Course, and the Combat Life Saver Course.

1SG Krause has served in a variety of positions throughout his career. These positions include Automatic Rifleman in the 3^rd Infantry Division, Team Leader in the 82^nd Airborne Division and 2^nd Infantry Division, Squad Leader in the 82^nd Airborne Division, Infantry Reconnaissance Team Leader in the 82^nd Airborne Division, Drill Sergeant at Ft. Jackson South Carolina, Operations Sergeant for the Southern European Task Force, Platoon Sergeant in the 173^rd Airborne Brigade, Scout Sniper Platoon Sergeant in the 173^rd Airborne Brigade, Brigade Operations Sergeant 1^st MEB, First Sergeant in the 10^th Mountain Division, and Senior Military Science Instructor at the University of Central Missouri.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Army Achievement Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal with Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (8^th Award), Korea Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (3^rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5^th Award), Kosovo Campaign Medal (with 1 Campaign Star), NATO Medal (2nd Award), Multinational Force And Observers Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.

1SG Krause has been inducted into the Sergeant Morales club and received the Order of St. Maurice (Centurion) medal from the National Infantry Association.

1SG Krause previously served as the Army Instructor for the JROTC program at Farmington High School in Farmington, New Mexico as well as Clear Springs High School in League City Texas. He is currently serving as the Army Instructor for the JROTC Program as Ball High School in Galveston, Texas.