Knight’s Battalion History

In 1995 the Beauregard Parish School Board began its JROTC Program. The South Beauregard HS JROTC program was cross enrolled within the DeRidder HS program in 1996 with Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Helms as the Golden Knights Senior Army Intsructor (SAI). In 2002, the Golden Knights JROTC Battalion became an independent stand alone program with CSM Michael Licare as its SAI. In 2003, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Rayford Jackson joined the battalion as its first Army Instructor (AI). In that same year the battalion was awarded as an Honor Unit after its first JROTC Program for Accreditation (JPA).  Subsequent JPA inspections in 2011, 2016 and 2022 the Golden Knights Battalion were awarded as Honor Unit with Distinction. The highest award achievable by an Army JROTC Program. In 2016, CSM Edwards became the SAI.