The new face of the JROTC program is here. Sergeant Major (SGM) Oscar E. Q. Weaver is the program’s new Army Instructor after the retirement of CSM Timothy Gadra in June.

Like CSM Gadra, SGM Weaver hails from Buffalo, NY, but has called Beaver County his home for the last 15 years.

Throughout serving our country for 30 years, SGM Weaver has taught Army fundamentals to newly enlisted soldiers as well as technical and tactical skills to upper-level Army leaders.

SGM Weaver recently retired from active duty officially as of June 30 of this year—it was a difficult decision, but the opportunity to work with young people at Beaver Area High School was one he couldn’t pass up.

“If I would not have got this job I would have done at least two more years in the [active] service,” said SM Weaver.

Surprisingly, given his years of Army service, SGM Weaver started as a Marine for four years. For two of those four years he was stationed in Japan.

For the rest of his service he was in the Army and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard serving as the state’s Production Sergeant Major. He also served as a recruiter.

SGM Weaver stated, “I love to mentor and shape young minds in a positive light,” and he has known Beaver Area’s JROTC program since 2003 when he would visit in his role as a recruiter—which is one reason why he would be perfect for the JROTC job.

New staff sometimes means new plans and big changes, but his immediate plan for the battalion is just to maintain the program’s growth and familiarize the cadets to the new leadership and familiarize himself to the cadets. He wants to maintain expectations of excellence, provide consistent mentorship, and guide students through difficult choices with rational thoughtfulness and maturity.

SGM Weaver is motivated for the challenges which lay ahead and fearless in his approach for the future.

As SGM Weaver said, “I enjoy this job more than the regular army; the kids are great.”