Mr. Jessie W. Morlan is the Commander and Bandmaster for the 246 Army Band.  He has been a member of the unit since 1992 where he started as a Trumpet player.  Prior to this Mr. Morlan served in the US Marine Corp Reserve.  He is a 1995 graduate of The University of South Carolina. His military experiences include:

• United States Marine Corp Boot camp - Parris Island, SC- Graduated August 14, 1992

•  USMC Marine Reserve - 4th FSSG Donaldson Center Greenville, SC 1992-1993

• Transfer to the South Carolina Army National Guard - 1993  Awarded MOS 02B

• Primary Leadership Development Course -July 1997

• Warrant Officer Candidate School- Ft. Rucker, Alabama - August 1999

• Warrant Officer Basic Course - ASOM - June 2001 - Awarded MOS 420C

• Warrant Officer Advance Course - ASOM - February 2010 

   

His Military Awards consist of: 

• Army Commendation Medal - w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster (Awarded 3 times)

• Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal - w/ 3 Oak leaf Clusters ( Awarded 4 times)

• National Defense Service Medal

• Armed Forces Reserve Medal - w/1 Bronze Hour Glass (Denotes completion of at least 10 years of service)

• NCO Professional Development Ribbon

• Army Service Ribbon

• SC Active State Service Medal

• SC Palmetto Service Ribbon

• SC Governor's Citation Ribbon - Unit Award

Mr. Morlan's civilian job is in McDuffie County Georgia, where he has taught since 1995 and currently serves as the Director of Bands. As Director of Bands, Mr. Morlan supervises the entire band program in McDuffie County.  His Primary ensembles are the THS Bulldog Brigade Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Guitar Ensemble and the Honors Ensemble. He is in constant demand as a clinician, performer and judge in the southeast.

Mr. Morlan has been included in "Who's Who Among American Teachers" many times. He has also been recognized by Thomson High School as the THOMSON HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2007-2008, a Mentor/ Master Teacher - 2000 thru Current, Renaissance Program Student Recognized Outstanding teacher - 7 times in 2006-2007, "Top Dog" of the month -2005,a Renaissance Program Honor Graduate Recognized Teacher - 2005, Teacher of the Month THS- 1999, and Teacher of the Month TMS -1996 ; he also received the Teacher Support Specialist endorsement in 2006. Mr. Morlan's professional affiliations include GMEA, MENC, Honorary lifetime member of Tri-M Music Fraternity, the National Guard Association and the Warrant Officer Corps Association. He resides in Georgia with his wife Becky and daughters Courtney, Jessica and Jalynn.