Army ROTC

Major (MAJ) Nick Sommers is a Military Intelligence Officer in the United States Army with more than 13 years of active-duty service. He currently serves as the Battalion Executive Officer and an Assistant Professor of Military Science with the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at the University of Illinois Chicago. In these roles, he supports battalion operations while contributing to the education, mentorship, and leadership development of future Army officers.

CPT Francisco Reyes is a United States Army Logistics Officer currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) and Lead Army ROTC Instructor at the University of Chicago, assigned to the Fire Battalion in Chicago, Illinois. In this role, he is responsible for the training, education, mentorship, and professional development of future Army officers while supporting recruiting, retention, and leader development initiatives across the battalion.

CPT Reyes commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2020 after graduating from the University of Illinois Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law, and Justice. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2024.

Following commissioning, CPT Reyes was assigned to the 2d Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany, where he served in multiple leadership and staff positions, including Maintenance Platoon Leader, Alpha Troop Executive Officer, and Squadron S4 Officer in Charge. During his time in Europe, he gained extensive experience in maintenance management, sustainment operations, logistics planning, organizational leadership, and supporting operational requirements in a multinational environment.

CPT Reyes subsequently served with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Group Support Battalion, from July 2024 to May 2026. As a company commander, he was responsible for the readiness, training, welfare, discipline, and development of Soldiers supporting Special Operations Forces. His organization supported numerous exercises and operations, including SOUTHERN STAR 25, FUERZAS COMANDO 26, ATLANTIC DAGGER 26, PANAMAX 26, PACIFIC DAGGER 26, and subject-matter expert exchanges in Peru and El Salvador.

During his command, CPT Reyes emphasized physical readiness, leader development, organizational discipline, and Soldier achievement. His company earned recognition as the battalion’s Best Retention Company, achieved a 95 percent Army Fitness Test pass rate with a 430 average, and produced Soldiers who successfully completed demanding military and international fitness events. He also served as the Officer in Charge for 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)’s first Expert Infantryman, Expert Soldier, and Expert Field Medical Badge training lane.

In May 2026, CPT Reyes transitioned to Army ROTC duty in Chicago. As the Lead Instructor at the University of Chicago, he oversees cadet training and development while teaching Military Science and preparing cadets for increasingly complex leadership responsibilities, Cadet Summer Training, commissioning, and service as Army officers. His training philosophy emphasizes disciplined preparation, tactical competence, physical readiness, accountability, and the practical application of Army leadership principles.

CPT Reyes continues to focus on developing adaptive, disciplined, and competent leaders who are prepared to lead Soldiers in complex environments. His professional interests include leader development, logistics and sustainment operations, tactical training, organizational leadership, mentorship, and the continued development of the Army profession.

CPT Reyes is married to Yadira Guadalupe Hernandez Paredes, and they have a daughter, Aylani. He values family, service, and the responsibility of developing the next generation of Army leaders.