Who is the 8th Battalion Executive Officer?

• A. C/Major Monserrat Hernandez
• B. C/Lt. Colonel Hannah Mitchell
• C. The Honorable John G. Roberts Jr
• D. Brigadier General Maurice Barnett

Answer: (A)

In a battalion, the Executive Officer is the second-in-command and the primary staff officer who helps the Battalion Commander run daily operations, coordinate tasks across the staff, and step in when the commander is unavailable. This role is normally filled by a Major (O-4), because it requires someone who can supervise staff, manage plans, and carry out the commander’s intent with enough experience. In cadet units, that rank is shown as C/Major. Therefore, the cadet who holds the rank of Major, Monserrat Hernandez, fits the typical profile for the 8th Battalion Executive Officer.

The other options don’t align with the usual structure: a Lieutenant Colonel would more commonly serve as the Battalion Commander, not the XO; a Brigadier General would be far above the typical cadet battalion staff; and a real-world figure like The Honorable John G. Roberts Jr. isn’t part of the cadet battalion’s chain of command.