JROTC at Philadelphia Military Academy
COL J. ESTEBAN RODRIGUEZ, US ARMY (RET)
Colonel Rodríguez, a native of Puerto Rico, resides in Doylestown, PA with his wife Pamela, and daughter Trinity. Additionally, he has five adult sons. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in economics, along with a master’s degree in business administration, and a master’s degree in strategic studies. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry School, the Command and General Staff College, the Joint Forces Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.
Throughout his military career, COL Rodríguez served in the U.S. Army, the Puerto Rico National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve, including combat deployments in Operation Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Among his awards and decorations are the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Army Staff Badge. He retired from the Army in 2022 after 34 years of honorable service.
As a civilian, COL Rodríguez served with the U.S. Foreign Service at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo and the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros, Mexico, in roles as an Economic Professional Associate and a Management Professional Associate, respectively. He also held corporate leadership positions as president of Selecta Insurance Agency, Inc., and managing partner of Diversified Medical Services Corporation. He currently serves as the Commandant of the Philadelphia Military.
SFC MANUEL ROMAN, US ARMY (RET)
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sergeant First Class Roman dedicated 21 years of service to the United States Army, serving in diverse locations around the world. Throughout his military career, SFC Roman was stationed in countries such as Korea, Germany, and multiple nations across Latin and South America. A proud paratrooper, he embraced the challenges of military life, continually adapting to different cultures and environments while honing his leadership and combat skills.
SFC Roman also served with distinction in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he played a critical role in various operations aimed at ensuring regional stability. His extensive experience in international deployments, combined with a deep commitment to duty, has shaped his perspective on leadership, teamwork, and resilience. Following his service, SFC Roman continues to leverage the skills and lessons learned during his time in the Army to contribute to his community and professional endeavors.
1SG NELSON CHANQUIN, US ARMY (RET)
First Sergeant Nelson E. Chanquin proudly hails from Guatemala and was raised in California. He enlisted in the United States Army in September 1997, successfully completing Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated as an Infantryman. In 2001, he skillfully reclassified as a CH-47 Helicopter Repairer (15U) following Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
Over his remarkable 26-year career, First Sergeant Chanquin has excelled in numerous leadership roles, including Mortar Fire Direction Chief, CH-47D/F Mechanic/Crew Chief, Section Sergeant, Flight Engineer, Maintenance Floor Supervisor, Maintenance Platoon Sergeant, Flight Platoon Sergeant, Aircraft Production Control NCOIC, Observer-Coach/Trainer NCOIC, Advanced Individual Training Senior Instructor, Battalion S4 NCOIC, and Battalion Senior Operations Sergeant. He has made valuable contributions during two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and three deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, concluding with a significant deployment at Seoul Airbase in South Korea. He officially retired from active duty on October 1, 2023.
First Sergeant Chanquin holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His extensive military education includes the First Sergeant Leaders Course, Master Leader Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Course, Equal Opportunity Course, and Master Resiliency Course.
First Sergeant Chanquin’s exemplary service record and dedication to duty testify to his leadership and commitment to the future generations of the United States JROTC program.
