He's tough, doesn't mince words, takes no excuses and gives no slack.

He says he has little patience and being around a bunch of teenagers is the last place he ever thought he'd be.

But, that's exactly where god put him for a purpose and his students say he put An Angel In Their Midst.

Dave. Who's the Secretary of Defense?
I don't know, Sir.

Five.

Retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major Freddie Tellis found his purpose...And a lot of patience. He came to Escambia High School as an R-O-T-C instructor eight and a half years ago.

Taleshia; Everybody, even people who aren't in ROTC looks up to Sergeant Major.

Shaina Doren, Senior; Sometimes I feel like I can't talk to anybody but I'll go and talk to him and he'll help me and give me advice that normal adults wouldn't give a teenager. They'll just tell them, do this, do that; but he guides me to do the right thing.

Christine Doren; Shaina's Mom; He's there as a counselor, as a teacher, as a mentor, as a father-figure, you know, everything he can be.

Sgt. Major; What is one of the leading causes of deaths of people your age group?
Suicide.
Teen suicide.

Tremayne Williams, Escambia High Junior; He's just always, he's just always there.

Kids come to him for, like, their problems. He's always there to talk to if you need somebody to talk to.

Sgt. Major; I've gotten text messages at three in the morning. I've gotten phone calls at midnight, from parents and students.


And the Sergeant Major answers every cry for help.

Silvia DeMontalvo; He tells you how it is. He doesn't make up stuff. He tells the truth and everything about it. He doesn't live about anything. On his board, it says, "Today, I will not lie, cheat or steal," and he goes by that.

But, don't be fooled by the gentle heart. This man is all Marine and he demands a lot.

Get out your chapter five, part one; chapter 5, part two; leadership exam and chain of command general orders.

Tellis; I raise the bar and these kids will meet it. They will rise to your expectations. If you don't expect anything from the, that's what you'll get.

Are we happy?
Yes.
Are we happy?
Yes, sir.

Shaina; I think it just comes from his heart. Like, he just has this passion for helping students

Now the Sergeant Major is leaving "This" place where God put him.

Tellis; He put me here for a season and my season has come to an end.

Sergeant Major is taking on his title of reverend full time at his church in Marianna. He leaves a void that will be hard to fill.

Christine; I feel that every child should have a Sergeant Major in their lives. I really do. He's just that incredible.

Silvia; It's gonna be really hard on me because he's like a dad in my life. I'm glad to have met him.
An Angel In Our Midst (Sgt Maj. Freddie Tellis)