about us

Our mission:

Our mission is to support the educational goals of Lamar High School by being the most outstanding Unit in the city. In 1946, General Dwight D. Eisenhower described the Lamar JROTC program as "Best of the Best". From that day we have strived to uphold this title and perform at the best of our abilities. At Lamar we take into consideration not only our academics and leadership but the students themselves. Take your time looking through our website and you will see why we are "Best of the Best".

Our instructors:

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Phyllis M. Fredericks is a 30-year veteran of the United States Army and was born in St. Croix US Virgin Islands. LTC Fredericks graduated from St. Joseph High School in St. Croix and after a gap year she attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn NY. She returned to the Virgin Islands and began her teaching career in 1986. In 1990 she enlisted into the US Army as a Private First Class and became a member of the Virgin Islands Army National Guard. In the summer of 1991 LTC Fredericks attended OCS in Fort Benning, Georgia and became a Commission Officer of the US Army. In 1992 LTC Fredericks attended the Adjutant General Officer Basic Course. Along with the numerous Human Resources positions, LTC Fredericks also served as a Detachment Commander, Military Police Platoon Leader, S3, and Physical Security Officer.

LTC Fredericks served in both the Virgin Islands Army National Guard and the Texas Army National Guard. Her assignments included 104th Troop Command, VIARNG; 61st Military Company, VIARNG; 36th Infantry Division, TXARNG; 111th Area Support Group, TXARNG; 136 MEB, TXARNG; Joint Force Headquarters, TXARNG. While in the TXARNG, LTC Fredericks deployed to Afghanistan (OEF) from March 2005 to March 2006 with the 111st Area Support Group out of Camp Mabry, Austin TX. She served as the Human Resources Officer during Operation Eagle in Afghanistan.

LTC Fredericks’ military education includes Basic Training, AG Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Security/Crime Prevention, CAS3, and USACGSOC-ILE. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from St. Francis College, Brooklyn NY and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Phoenix.

LTC Fredericks’ awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,

LTC Fredericks has 3 children: Jason 32, Jade and Jasir 16. She is currently living in Manvel, Texas.

First Sergeant (Retired) Scott M. Bessette is a 21-year veteran of the United States Army and was born in Fort Pierce, Florida. He enlisted in the Army in March 2000 attending one station unit training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia where he was awarded the MOS 11B, Infantryman.

First Sergeant Bessette’s previous assignments and deployments include: Ammo Bearer, Assistant Gunner, and Machine Gunner, A Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Squad Leader, D Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment Fort Bragg, North Carolina; MK19 Gunner and Fire Team Leader, A Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Camp Ederle, Italy; Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant, B Company 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment Fort Polk, Louisiana; Observer Controller/ Trainer (OC/T), and Senior OC/T, A Team, 2nd Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment Camp Shelby, Mississippi; Platoon Sergeant, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; First Sergeant, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; First Sergeant, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment Fort Carson, Colorado; First Sergeant, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment Fort Carson, Colorado; Operations Non-commissioned Officer (NCO), U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He has deployed twice to Iraq from March 2003 to February 2004 and November 2007 to January 2009. Also, to Afghanistan from November 2006 to March 2007 and February 2018 to October 2018.

First Sergeant Bessette’s military and civilian education include basic, advanced and senior level of NCO professional development courses. He is also a graduate of Airborne school, Combat Lifesavers course, Jumpmaster school, Army National Guard Pre-Ranger course, Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) course, U.S. Air Force Airlift Planners course, Observer Controller Academy, Basic and Small Group Instructor courses, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (high risk) school, Master Fitness Trainer course, First sergeants training Course, Anti-Terrorism Officers course. 1SG Bessette holds an associate degree in multidisciplinary studies from Grantham University.

First Sergeant Bessette’s awards and decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal (2OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 SOLC, 2 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (2 SK), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2-CS), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2-CS), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead device, Global War on Terror Service Medal. NCO Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (numeral 4), NATO Medal (1 BS). He has also earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge with combat service star, Driver Mechanics Badge (Wheeled Vehicle). He is a Centurion in the Order of Saint Maurice, and member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.

1SG Bessette is currently living in Spring, Texas and has a son named Johnathan (15)