“Carrying on the tradition”
The cadre of Trojan Battalion are individuals who have demonstrated all the desired and necessary traits to become an Army officer and have excelled in their specific field and craft through years of experience. Each cadre member posses the passion and desire to train the future of the United States Army’s Officers and are eager to share their knowledge with those they train.
Prof. of Military Science
LTC Chris Gin is a career US Army officer who arrived to USC ROTC in June 2021 with over 16 years of Active Duty service. He earned his commission at West Point in 2005, then served two combat tours in Iraq as a Stryker Battalion Intelligence Officer. Upon return from combat, he served as a Company Commander and Operations Officer at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. Subsequent operational assignments include key staff positions with the 2nd Infantry Division and the 501st Military Intelligence Brigade in the Republic of Korea. Most recently he served as a Joint Intelligence Division Chief in the Theater Special Operations Command – Pacific in Hawaii where he was selected for a 6-month liaison tour at the United States Embassy in New Delhi, India.
He is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne, Ranger, and Air Assault schools, as well as the Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), and the Joint Forces Staff College. He holds an undergraduate degree in English from West Point and a Master’s Degree in Chinese Studies from the University of Hawaii.
His professional passion lies in mentoring and inspiring the next generation of US Army Officers, and he hopes you will consider bringing your talents to the Trojan Battalion ROTC team!
XO
MAJ Nathan S Alba is an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Engineer (EN) Officer that has been assigned to the USC Army ROTC program since September 7, 2020. He is currently serving as the Executive Officer (XO) for the program.
His previously served in the 463D Engineer Battalion (BN) as the S3/Operations Officer in Wheeling, WV from August 2018 to September 2020. Prior to that, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Individual Training Division of the G-37 Directorate at the United States Army Reserve Command (USARC) from July 2015 to August 2018. In addition, he completed a tour as a Brigade/Assistant S3 at the 2nd BDE, 95th Division (IET) in Vancouver, WA from August 2011 to August 2014. Finally, he completed his platoon leader time at the 409th Engineer Company (Vertical) in Fort Collins, CO from August 2007 to August 2011 where he also served as the Company Executive Officer.
Military Schools completed include the Advanced Operations Course, Intermediate Level Education (Phases 1 to 3), Captains Career Course, Basic Officer Leadership Course, Six Sigma Green Belt Course, Joint Engineer Operations Course, Joint Humanitarian Operations Course, Command Language Program Course. Civilian School completed include a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from Liberty University and Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii (UH).
He has 3 family members to include his spouse, Rona Alba, and daughters Natalya and Natasha Alba.
Assistant Professor of Military Science
MAJ Alexys Scott is a Military Intelligence (MI) Officer with over 23 years of service in the United States Military. He enlisted as an Aviation Resources Management specialist into the Delayed Enlistment Program with the United States Air Force 1993. He was commissioned through the Army ROTC program from the University of San Francisco in 2001 and later joined the California National Guard Active Guard Reserve Program. His military assignment experiences range from being a Platoon Leader, an Aide De ‘Camp, Overseas Bilateral Affairs Officer, Operations Officer, Director of Military Intelligence at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, a Battalion Deputy Commander and now serves as an Assist Professor of Military Science for the University of Southern California’s Army ROTC Program.
MAJ Scott’s deployments, assignments and missions have taken him to Canada, Ecuador, Iraq, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, Nigeria, Ukraine, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and Fort Benning (WHINSEC). He has worked at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels as well as with Federal Intelligence Agencies and the Department of State. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Natural Resource Management/Geography from San Francisco State University, the Performance Management and Budget Course from the Naval PostGraduate School, and a Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development from Penn State University, the Joint Humanitarian Operations Course and Command and General Staff College.
He is professionally passionate about teaching, coaching and mentoring future leaders in order to ensure a safer tomorrow.
A. CO OIC
CPT Justin Good is an US Army Officer who arrived to USC ROTC in October 2020 with almost a decade of Active Duty service. He earned his commission at West Point in 2012, and served as a Lieutenant at various locations in Germany with operational deployments to Romania and Bulgaria. He served as a Company Commander and Operations Officer at Fort Riley, Kansas with additional operational deployments to Kuwait and Qatar. During his career he often liaised and coordinated law enforcement and tactical operations with foreign militaries, law enforcement, and civil intelligence agencies.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from West Point, a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and most recently completed another Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Columbia University. He also has done project work, research, and consulting projects on a range of topics for major Sports agencies such as the National Football League, FC Bayern Munich, and other niche brands and sports startups.
His professional passion lies in coaching and leading future Army Officers capable of efficiently handling the challenges that will face our nation for the ever changing and complex future.
B. CO OIC
MAJ Drew Lorentzen is an Engineer Officer assigned to the Trojan Battalion since 1OCT20. He is the Officer in Charge at the California State University Long Beach ROTC Program.
His previous assignment was with the United States Security Coordinator at the US Embassy in Jerusalem, serving as the West Bank Training Officer in the Palestinian Governorates from July 2019 to August 2020. From MAY 2017 to June 2019 he served as the Executive Officer for 2-289 IN BN in Camp Atterbury, IN.
MAJ Lorentzen has five total overseas deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the West Bank. He has attended Engineer Officer Basic Course (EOBC), Engineer Captain Career Course (ECCC), Intermediate Level Education (ILE), Sapper Leader’s Course, and received his Master’s in International Security Affairs from National Defense University.
He has one son (Drew Colton Lorentzen)
C. CO OIC
CPT Di (Dee) Sang began his career as an Airborne Infantryman in 2005, and later earned his commission in the Quartermaster Corps in 2015. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration from Post University, and completed a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Azusa Pacific University in 2015.
CPT Sang’s assignments include two combat deployments with the 82nd Airborne Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2013, the Army selected him for the Green-to-Gold program as an avenue to transition from a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) to a commissioned officer. He earned his commission through ROTC at Claremont McKenna College while a graduate student in 2015. He was then assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he served as a distro platoon leader and company executive officer with the 325th Brigade Support Battalion and the 91st Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Following the Captains Career Course at Fort Lee, VA, he commanded the Redlands Recruiting Company in Redlands, California from 2019-2021. In 2021, he began duty as an Assistant Professor of Military Science and Officer in Charge of the Army ROTC program at Cal State University Dominguez Hills.
CPT Sang’s military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Award, Army Commendation Medal (x5), the Army Achievement Medal (x5), the Combat Infantry Badge, the Parachist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Recruiter Badge. He currently resides in Temple City, CA, with his wife and children.
Senior Military Science Instructor
MSG Juan C. Bernal is a native of the Los Angeles area, and enlisted in the Army on September 24, 2002 as an infantry mortarman.
On his first assignment at Ft. Hood, TX, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as an infantryman, machine gunner, and team leader in combat. From 2006 to 2009, he was assigned as a section leader and platoon sergeant at Ft. Irwin, CA. Next, the Army selected him for the infamous “trail” where he served as a Drill Sergeant at Ft. Jackson, SC specializing in training and acculturating new Soldiers. In 2011, he was reassigned to Ft. Lewis, WA to serve as a senior observer and trainer on deployment in Afghanistan. From 2013-2017, he served in two consecutive company First Sergeant positions, first at Ft. Wainwright, AK, then at Fort Bliss, TX where he deployed to Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Finally, in 2018, MSG Bernal was chosen amongst a competitive field to serve as the Senior Military Science Instructor for the USC Army ROTC. His mission here is to train, educate, and inspire cadets, and model what the time-honored, professional relationship between commissioned and non-commissioned officers should be.
His highest awards include the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (OLC), and Army Commendation Medal (3xOLC). He also earned the Combat Infantryman, Expert Infantryman, Airborne, Air Assault, Drill Sergeant, and Basic Army Instructor badges.
He and his wife, Juana, have three children 3 children together: Erick, Elena, and Evelyn.
MSI
After graduating with the MOS 19D from Fort Knox Kentucky MSG Tollberg was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Benning Georgia. During the 9 years assigned to 3rd Squadron 1st Cavalry Regiment MSG Tollberg held numerous positions from Bradley Fighting Vehicle Driver, 50 Cal. Gunner, Truck Commander, and Bradley Fighting Vehicle Commander. While with 3rd Squadron 1st Cavalry Regiment MSG Tollberg was deployed to both OIF V and OIF VII. In 2015 MSG Tollberg attended the Army Drill Sergeant Course and was assigned to 3rd Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment, 193rd Infantry Brigade at Fort Jackson South Carolina. While assigned he held both the position of Drill Sergeant and Senior Drill Sergeant. Once complete with Drill Sergeant duty MSG Tollberg was assigned to 1st Battalion 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley Kansas. While there he served as a Scout Platoon Sergeant for 24 months. MSG Tollberg is currently assigned as a Military Science Instructor at the University of Southern California.
MSG Tollberg currently resides in San Pedro, CA with his wife Sadie, daughter Miranda, and son Miles.
NCOIC
SFC Derrick Gregory is an Infantry Non-Commissioned Officer assigned to the Trojan Battalion since January 2021. He is the NCO in Charge at the California State University Long Beach ROTC Program.
His previous assignment was with the 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, TX. He served as the C Troop, Mortar Section Leader from October 2018 to December 2020.
SFC Gregory has over 21 years of service. He has attended the Stryker Leader Course, Stryker Master Trainer Course, Infantry Mortar Leader Course, Drill Sergeant School, Air Assault School, Maneuver Senior Leaders Course, Advance Leader Course, and the Basic Leader Course.
Military Science Instructor
Matt Turner is a veteran of the US Army Air and Missile Defense community and an experienced educator from the State of California. He is a graduate of California State University Long Beach and commissioned through Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. His career is marked with great success as an Operations Officer for Air Defense attachments at Fort Hood, TX. He served as a Tactical Control Officer for Patriot Missile Defense systems in the Middle East with 69th Air Defense Brigade, while also acting as liaison to allied forces in the region. He has since transitioned from Active Duty military service to the role of civilian Military Science Instructor. He joined the USC ROTC team in 2020.
He is committed to educating the future leaders of the US Army and dedicated to helping students achieve their aspirations.
USC is all about how we fight on and achieve victory. As members of the USC Army ROTC program, our Cadets develop themselves everyday to live by these mottos. From physical training to top tier academics to enjoying the vibrant city of Los Angeles, Trojan Cadets work together to improve their own skills and capabilities with theory peers in the program.
ake the road less traveled and immerse yourself in a culture of valor and service to country. ROTC is the premiere leadership program in the nation that shapes the college aged youth into Americas finest.
ROTC fosters a community of virtues and brings together the nations best individuals who are ready to work together to help maintain the best Army the world has ever known.