Lieutenant Colonel Jason B. Ross, last served as the Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, South Carolina State Guard. Since his commission in 2010, he has dedicated himself to the service of his fellow South Carolinians, in emergency management and disaster relief and recovery. He led many deployments as the Officer-In-Charge, working alongside federal, state and local agencies. As a servant leader with vision, resilience, and empathy, he initiates innovative training programs, builds relationships with all stakeholders, and inspires others to pursue their purpose.

In 2021, Jason started the nonprofit foundation Friends of the Highlanders, to fill the gaps he has seen within the existing framework of emergency management and disaster relief. The 501(c)3 seeks to create effective partnership among public and private entities, and to equip disaster response task forces.

In addition to his military service, he is the Director for Corporate Development and Adjunct Professor for the College of Business and Entrepreneurship at North Greenville University.

In 2008, Jason graduated from North Greenville University’s MBA program in Tigerville, South Carolina. In 2020, Jason earned his Doctorate in Higher Education from North Greenville University, with a dissertation focused on veteran care, “Student Persistence: Helping Student Veterans Transition Successfully from Combat to College”. He is a Palmetto Pathfinder, South Carolina Veteran peer-support program providing personal support for transitioning Veterans.

Jason has been a member of Greenville City Center Rotary Club, Greer Centennial Lions Club, Greenville Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board, and was recently recognized for his public service by the South Carolina House of Representatives in Resolution 4391. He is a Greer Leadership Class of 39 graduate and past board member for Greer Middle College.

Operation “1000 Year Flood” Hurricane Joaquin;

Operation Hurricane Matthew;

Operation Hurricane Maria with the U.S. Army’s Regional Health Command/ Atlantic and the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) in response to the Puerto Rican evacuees;

Operation Hurricane Irma;

Operation Hurricane Florence;

Operation Hurricane Dorian;

Kershaw County mission where a tornado destroyed North Central High School;

Greenville County COVID-19 mission

South Carolina State Guard Past Assignments

Commander, 2nd Battalion, 1st Civil Support Brigade, Fountain Inn;

Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Civil Support Brigade, Fountain Inn;

S5 (public affairs officer), 2nd Battalion, 1st Civil Support Brigade Head Quarters, Fountain Inn;

Company Commander, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Civil Support Brigade, Greer;

Platoon Leader, 2nd Battalion, 1st Civil Support Brigade, Williamston

South Carolina State Guard Awards and Decorations

Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, Homeland Defense Medal, Individual Achievement ribbon with two oak leaf clusters, Humanitarian Service ribbon with 4 oak leaf clusters, Longevity Service ribbon, SC State Guard Service ribbon with one silver oak leaf and three oak leaf clusters, Volunteer Service ribbon, Military Readiness ribbon, Recruiting Achievement ribbon with two oak leaf clusters, Military Proficiency ribbon

350 Year Anniversary service ribbon, Governors Unit Citation, Outstanding Unit Citation, Unit Achievement Citation, Superior Unit Citation for the State Guard of the United States, Meritorious Unit Citation for the State Guard Association of the United States, Medical Emergency Management Badge with Flash, Military Police Brassard, Provost Marshal Detachment Badge

RAIDER Trident badge, Expert Badge for Pistol, Expert Badge for Rifle, Expert Badge for Grenade, the Royal Laotian Parachutist Badge

South Carolina State Guard and Other Military Education

Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC), “Paladin Battalion”, Furman University and North Greenville University’s joint program;

Leadership Training Course at Fort Knox, KY, Officer Basic Course;

Royal Lao Airborne Course, Military Emergency Management Academy, Rapid Assistance in Disaster Relief (RAIDER) Course;

Captain’s Career Course, Command and General Staff College, Provost Marshall Detachment Academy;

National Search and Rescue Course, Liaison Officer Staff Course through the SC Army National Guard, Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course, Chainsaw and Safety Course through the Army Corps of Engineer 117th Brigade;

Remote and Unmanned Small Aircraft Training through the Federal Aviation Administration.