Hurricane Battalion

     Major Eric Redlin is the Army JROTC Senior Army Instructor (SAI) at East Hamilton High School. He has been with the program since its inception in 2021. He was the SAI at Soddy Daisy High School from 2014 to 2021.

     He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He served 20 years in the Active Duty Army as an Airborne Artilleryman. He entered the Army in the summer of 1990 as a Cannon Fire Direction Specialist. He served five years as a Cannon Fire Direction Specialist at Fort Bragg North Carolina and Fort Richardson Alaska. During that time he deployed to Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He was awarded a Green to Gold Scholarship in 1995 and was commissioned in 1999 as a Field Artillery Officer. 

     As an Officer he served at Fort Hood, Texas as a Company Fire Support Officer, a Battery Fire Direction Officer, a Battery Executive Officer and Battery Commander. He served as Battalion Intelligence and Security Officer (S2) and Assistant Operations Officer (AS3) in Bamberg, Germany. He was the United States' Exchange Professor of Gunnery, Fire Support and Joint Fires to the Royal Australian Artillery School (RAAS) located in Puckapunyal, Victoria. He spent three additional periods at Fort Bragg, NC during which times he served as a Division and Corps G33, Brigade Fire Support Officer, Battery Commander, Battalion S3 and Battalion Executive Officer (XO). As a Commissioned Officer he deployed three more times to Iraq and one time to Afghanistan. 

     Major Redlin has earned the US Army Cadet Command Bronze, Silver, and Gold Instructor Awards. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in History and a Master’s Degree of Arts in Education.

Major Redlin's military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), Air Assault School, Airborne School, The United States Army Advanced Airborne School (Jumpmaster School), Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Field Artillery Officer Captain's Course, Combined Arms Staff Services School (CAS3), and  Intermediate Level Education.

     His military awards include the Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal (1-OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3-OLC), Army Achievement Medal (8-OLC), National Defense Service Medal (1-GS), Iraqi Campaign Medal (3-GS), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1-GS), Southwest Asia Campaign Medal (3-GS), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal.

     He lives in Hixson with his two sons, Max and Lachlan, three dogs, and two cats. He enjoys trail running, obstacle course racing, adventure racing, yoga, and traveling.

1SG Lafever was born April 19th 1971 in Auburn WA.  He is married to Kimberly Lafever. They have 5 children, and 6 grandchildren, and two dogs.  He served 24 years in the United States Army, and retired from military service 1 June 2024.   

1SG Lafever graduated from Grandview High School in 1989 after which he worked construction, until he joined the Army May of 2000, as a Cannon Crew Member (13B) He has been stationed in FT Carson CO, FT Bragg NC, FT Lewis WA, and THE OHIO State University ROTC. 

1SG Lafever served as a Cannon Crew Member, Platoon Sergeant, Master Gunner, First Sergeant, and ROTC Instructor. 1SG Lafever has multiple deployments in support of The Global War on Terror to Iraq. He finished his career as an Operation Sergeant Major.

1SG Lafever’s military education includes Basic Leader, Advanced Leader, and the Senior Leader NCOES courses.  He graduated from  The Army Airborne School, Master Gunner course, and The Army Jumpmaster School. He is currently enrolled in college and advancing his education.

1SG Lafever’s awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (1-OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1-0LC); Army Commendation Medal (V DIVICE, 7-OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1-OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation Army Good Conduct Medal (8-knots), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star (5), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star,  Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon (Numeral 3), Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge.

SFC Richardson was born June 1981 in Denver, CO. He moved around a lot as a child due to his Father’s military assignments, but his family eventually settled down in Cleveland, TN. He is married to Heather Richardson of Cleveland, TN. They have 3 children: Kyla, age 18; Connor, age 14; Kelsie, age 11.

SFC Richardson joined the US Army in February 2001. From 2001-2004 he served as a Cannon Crewmember with Bravo Battery 2/319 th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC. During this time he deployed with his unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After completing advanced individual training for a secondary military occupational specialty in 2005, he reported to the 782 nd Quartermaster Battalion E-Company, Fort Bragg, NC., as a Parachute Rigger. From 2005 to 2011, SFC Richardson stayed stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. serving in multiple units and detachments in support of airborne operations for the 18 th Airborne Corps and 82 nd Airborne Division. In 2011, SFC Richardson, moved to Chattanooga, TN. to serve as a US Army Recruiter. From 2014 to 2023 SFC Richardson continued to serve as a US Army Recruiter in Illinois, Kentucky, and Minnesota.

SFC Richardson’s military education includes Basic Leader, Advanced Leader, and Senior Leader NCOES Courses. He graduated from the Company Commander and 1SG Course in 2021. He holds three military occupational skills as a Canon Crewmember, Parachute Rigger, and US Army Recruiter. He has an Associates of Science Degree from Lionel University.

SFC Richardson awards include Meritorious Service Medal (1-OLC), Army Commendation Medal (5- OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4-OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (2- Silver knots), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2-CS), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service medal, Army Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon.