Lt Col Jonathan Pooley

Lt Col Jonathan Pooley (British Army) is currently the Commandant at Riverside Preparatory Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. He moved to the USA from the UK in January of 2023 to take up this post.

Lt Col Pooley is still active with the British Army in the capacity of a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, having assumed the roles of OC ARMY section, Contingent 2IC and latterly Contingent Commander over the past 21 years. His current role with the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is promoting exchanges between the UK/USA cadet forces. 

Lt Col Pooley transferred into the CCF in 2002 after serving in the Territorial Army (Volunteer) Reserve from 1990-2001 in various infantry roles with 5 Bn Royal Anglian, 4/5 Bn Green Howards and latterly in 160 Reg Royal Logistic Corps. His first contact with the British Army was at university through his service in Sheffield University Officer Training Corps between 1986-1990. He graduated from here with a BEd (Hons) Sciences

His regular day job for the last 30 years has been that of science teacher (primarily Biology), sports coach, outdoor pursuits instructor, and boarding housemaster.

Lt Col Pooley is married to Annette, who is also a teacher and boarding housemistress, and they have three grown children who have all been boarding pupils and cadets. Their eldest son is a Captain in the British Army, their daughter is a paramedic, and their youngest son is a sports photographer.

When not working, Jonathan enjoys travel, outdoor pursuits and military history. Jonathan and his wife are committed Christians and active members of their local church as the family has moved around the UK with work, and now latterly to the USA.