ELLISVILLE – A new program being offered at Jones College called JC CORP or Counterdrug Operational Resources Program has been created to play a vital role in the mitigation of the drug epidemic while also enhancing community relations and offering advanced training for JC’s criminal justice majors. Retired Army National Guard Colonel Robert “Bart” Bartran’s new job as Director of the JC CORP, includes a continuation of some of his previous job duties as the Director of the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy (RCTA) through the National Guard based in Meridian. The biggest difference will be his “audience.”
“JC CORP is going to be all-encompassing. We’re offering operational resources for law enforcement, whether it be training or facilities. Also, I’m offering the same education and working with the same professional instructors and contractors,” said Bartran. “The only difference is I am going from training the current law enforcement officers to preparing the future of law enforcement.”
The goal of the JC CORP is to redefine public safety education across Mississippi and position Jones College as a statewide leader in Criminal Justice and Workforce Development through JC CORP. This program is a high impact, forward thinking initiative that combines the power of academic instruction, public safety training, forensic science, and trauma resiliency into one comprehensive program.
“The quest to remain ahead of the competition out there, the enemy or criminals, is to stay in front of them. It requires resources and it’s hard to keep up,” said Bartran. “Jones College has lots of resources that I will be utilizing for training, like the Simulation Lab, to better prepare law enforcement officers to be proactive instead of training from a reactive perspective. We’re tailoring our training and trying to make our law enforcement officers better equipped to prevent tragic events from occurring while instilling another level of discipline and professionalism.”
JC CORP is offering advanced, free training, like nothing in the state. Bartran’s vast police and military experience includes 36 years of serving as a local policeman and sheriff deputy, being deployed overseas, commanding the 112th Military Police Battalion, serving as the Director of the Counterdrug Program for the Mississippi National Guard, and Commander of the RCTA. During his career, Bartran is credited with training more than 36,000 law enforcement professionals throughout the nation. The 1988 West Jones High School graduate also earned countless medals and honors along the way, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Governor’s final rank advancement and Honorary Promotion to Brigadier General when he retired in April 2025.
“This is so rewarding to be able to share my knowledge and experience. I appreciate Dr. Jesse Smith, the President of Jones College for providing this opportunity and the much needed resources to enhance law enforcement training here,” said Bartran.
After graduating from West Jones, Bartran began studying criminal justice at JCJC and earned his Associate’s Degree from Hinds Community College. He completed his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned his Master’s Degree at Liberty University with a major in Executive Leadership. He is also a graduate of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer Training Academy in Jackson. Additionally, Bartran’s military training includes graduating from Federal Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1995, Military Police Officer Basic Course training and being assigned to the 113th Military Police Company. He was selected as the Battalion Commander for the 112th Military Police Battalion from 2018 until 2021. After returning from being deployed overseas, Bartran served at every echelon in the state from the platoon level all the way up to the State Headquarters Primary/Special Staff and a Brigade Command Equivalent before being appointed as the Director of the Counterdrug Program for the Mississippi National Guard in 2021 and Commander of the RCTA.
Furthermore, Bartran will be applying and sharing all of his criminal justice experience with Jones College students as an integral part of the curriculum in the very near future. To learn more about the JC CORP or the new criminal justice courses being offered, contact Bartran by email at bart.bartran@jcjc.edu