TAMIU ROTC Cadre

MAJ Kevin K. Tran

Assistant Professor of Military Science
Karr-Veteran Memorial Hall, Rm. 105
Texas A&M University- Kingsville
Phone: 361.593.3390
Email: kevin.tran@tamuk.edu

MAJ Kevin K. Tran grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and joined the US Army Reserve as an enlisted Soldier in 1996 with the 804^th Signal Company. He graduated with a dual degree in Physical Education and Health Exercise Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2004.

MAJ Tran deployed with 820^th Signal Company to Afghanistan while serving as Cable & Wire Team Chief and Platoon Sergeant from 2005-2006. In August 2009, he received a direct commissioned to 2LT with the 302^nd Transportation Terminal Battalion (TTB) as Battalion S-6 Signal Officer. In 2013, MAJ Tran took Command of the 829^th Network Signal Company.

In 2016, MAJ Tran was selected for the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) and relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada with the 505^th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade (TTSB) as the S3 Network Officer. MAJ Tran is currently assigned to US Army Cadet Command 5^th Brigade, ROTC program at Texas A&M University Kingsville as the Assistant Professor of Military (APMS).

MAJ Tran’s military education includes Battalion S6 Course, the Signal Captain Career Course (SCCC), Intermediate Level Education (ILE) Common Core, the Joint Command and Control, Communications, and Computers Planners Course (JC4PC), and the Joint Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence/Cyber Staff and Operation Course (JC4ICSOC).

MAJ Tran’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the Armed Force Reserve Medal with M device and hourglass, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbons, the Army Service Ribbon, the Award of the Military Civic Action Medal, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).

CPT Manuel Ortiz

Assistant Professor of Military Science
KLM Room 417
Texas A&M International University
Phone: 956.326.3011
Email: manuel.ortiz@tamiu.edu

Captain Manuel Ortiz is a native of Naples, Florida. He enlisted in the Army in April 2011 and attended Basic Training & Advanced Individual Training as an artilleryman in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He graduated out of Florida Gulf Coast University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. In 2019 he commissioned through Officer Candidate School in Fort Moore, Georgia. Following the completion of the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader’s Course in Fort Sill, Oklahoma he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Carson, Colorado.

As an enlisted soldier, 1LT Ortiz served as a cannon crewmember in Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Carson, Colorado. As a commissioned officer, he has served in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery and Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Carson, Colorado. While there he served as a Battalion Assistant Fire Support Officer, a Company Fire Support Officer and a Battery Fire Direction Officer. 1LT Ortiz has deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His military schools include, Field Artillery Advanced Individual Training, Warrior Leader Course, Officer Candidate School, Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader’s Course, Master Educator Course.

Awards and decorations include, Afghanistan Campaign Medal W/2 Campaign Stars, Army Commendation Medals (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Instructor Badge and the Combat Action Badge.”

Mr. Jose Montelongo

Military Science Instructor
KLM Room 417-A
Texas A&M International University
Phone: 956.326.3009
Email: jose.montelongo@tamiu.edu

Mr. Jose Montelongo is a native of Mission, Texas. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in November of 2016 and attended Basis Training at, then, FT. Benning, GA, and Advanced Individual Training at, then, FT. Lee, VA. He graduated from Texas A&M International University in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He was assigned to the 961^st Quartermaster Company. Following his completion of the Logistics Basic Officer Leader’s Course, he was transferred to the 519^th Transportation Detachment in McAllen, TX as the commander.

In his civilian career, he has been working with Golden Key Group as a contractor providing support to the U.S. Army Cadet Command as a Senior Military Science Instructor since 2021. As an enlisted Soldier, Mr. Montelongo served as a warehouse team leader with the 812^th Quartermaster Company. As a commissioned officer he has served as both a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer with the 961^st Quartermaster Company located in McAllen, TX. He is currently the Detachment Commander of the 519^th Transportation Detachment, also in McAllen, TX.