Meet the Instructors

MAJOR(R)
Craig Redfearn

Senior Army Instructor (SAI)

​MAJ Redfearn's military career spanned over 23 years. MAJ Redfearn enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman (11M) July 1989 in Charlotte, NC. His duty positions as an 11M included Automatic Weapon Rifleman, Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) Driver, BFV Gunner, BFV Commander and Dismount Squad Leader. He was also a BFV New Equipment Training Team Instructor. As an Infantryman he was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Schweinfurt and Baumholder Germany and Ft Benning, Ga. During this time, he deployed as part of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort. He also deployed to Macedonia as part of Task Force Able Sentry and to Tirana, Albania as part of Task Force Hawk.

MAJ Redfearn attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery (FA) Dec 1999. His duty positions since commissioning included: BDE Assistant S3, Battery Executive Officer, Paladin Platoon Leader, Battalion S1, Infantry Company Commander, Active Component /Reserve Component (AC/RC) Team Chief, (Basic Officer Leader Course) BOLC II Platoon Mentor, 82nd ABN DIV Fires Force Integration Officer. His final military assignment was as a FA Captains Career Course Small Group Instructor. MAJ Redfearn’s additional deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

His awards includes the Valorous Unit Award(1OLC),  Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal(1OLC), Army Commendation Medal(3OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, AAM w/silver OLC, Good Conduct Medal(3 clasps), Southwest Asia Medal (3 Bronze Stars), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon(numeral 2), Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 3), United Nations Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait),NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge. He is also a member in the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.

MAJ Redfearn's military education included the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic NonCommissioned Officer Course, Equal Opportunity Course, Army Instructor course, FA Officer Basic Course and FA Captain Career Course.

MAJ Redfearn holds an AAS in Electronics from DeVry Institute of Technology, Decatur, GA, a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Cameron University, Lawton, OK, a Master of Human Relations Degree from the University of Oklahoma, Norman and an Oklahoma Teacher Certification. His Oklahoma teaching endorsements include JROTC, Elementary Education 1-8, Business Education 6-12 and Career Technology 6-12. MAJ Redfearn is also a Financial Coach Master Trainer.

Prior to becoming the JROTC, Senior Army Instructor, MAJ Redfearn taught 5th grade at the former Sheridan Road Elementary on Ft. Sill, OK. 

MAJ Redfearn and his lovely wife of over 30 years, the former Berrin Guengoer of Aschaffenburg, Germany, have one daughter, Mrs. Larissa Horne, a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, who resides in Austin, TX with her husband Johnathan.

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR, CSM(R)
​Jesse J. Batts Jr.

Army Instructor (AI)

​CSM Batts' military career spanned over 31 years. CSM Batts was born in Wilson, North Carolina. He enlisted in the Army January 5, 1986 and retired Feb 28, 2017. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. CSM Batts' duty positions include: Battalion Command Sergeant Major 3-13th FA, 75th BDE; Battalion Command Sergeant Major 1-79FA, 434th BDE; Operations Sergeant Major 25ID (FIRES). First Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, Observer Controller Trainer, Section Chief, Gunner, Ammo Team Chief, Team Chief and Cannoneer, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Director of Publics Works, United States Army Garrison Command. He deployed in support of: Operation New Dawn 2010-2011; Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2006, 2008-2009; South West Asia Cease Fire 1991-1992; and his overseas tours include: Germany, Turkey, Alaska, and Hawaii.

CSM Batts' awards include: Bronze Star(3rd Award); Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal (7th Award); Army Commendation Medal (7th Award); Army Achievement Medal (6th Award); Good Conduct Medal (10th Award); National Defense Service Medal; South West Asia Cease-fire Medal; Iraqi Campaign Service Medal (5 stars); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal; Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 4); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 6). He is a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.

CSM Batts' military education included: Command Sergeant Developmental Program; Battalion Pre-Command Course; TRADOC Brigade Battalion Course; United States Army Sergeant Major Residents Course; Combative Level I and II; Firsts Sergeant Course; Battle Staff; Senior Leader Course; Master Fitness Course; Air Lift Operations; Equal Opportunity Management Course; Maneuver Control Course; Advance Leaders Course; Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course.

​CSM Batts holds a BS in Applied Science and Liberal Arts Studies from Excelsior College and an Oklahoma Teacher Certification with a JROTC endorsement.

Prior to becoming the Highlander Battalion army Instructor, CSM Batts was an Army Instructor at Mustang High School for 3 years.