Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

LTC Young

Professor of Military Science

I am LTC Young and I am the Battalion Commander for the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Battalion. I am responsible for the battalion, the military science department, and I am the primary instructor for our senior cadets. I joined Army ROTC in the Spring of 1985 and received my commission in April 1988. I graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in chemistry and entered active service in 1989. As a chemical officer I have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of units all over the world to include aviation, mechanized infantry, and airborne infantry. My wife of 16 years, and I have a 14 year old son. My hobbies include fitness activities, martial arts, participating in scouting with my son, golfing and following college sports. 

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MAJ Massacci

Executive Officer

I am MAJ Massacci and I am the Executive Officer for the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Battalion.  My primary job is to manage the staff and assist in the overall operations of the battalion.  I enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in 1969 as a Military Police officer.  I attended Kent and Youngstown State Universities.  After being an NCO for 10 years and attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, I attended Officers Candidate School and obtained my commission in 1979.  I’ve been married to my beautiful wife for the past 24 years and we have five children.  My hobbies include golf, fishing and hunting.

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MAJ Preble

MS I Instructor

I am MAJ Preble; I serve as the MS1 Instructor for Army ROTC here at the University of Akron.  MS1’s are the freshman and other ROTC cadets who are new to both ROTC and the Army.  I enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1990 as an 11-B (Infantry) to help fund my education, I transferred to the Maine Army National Guard in 1994, and I earned my commission as a Field Artillery Officer thru Army ROTC at the University of Maine Orono where I earned my Bachelors in Education in 1997. My wife and I have two children. We are currently remodeling our home, but when we have time we like to paddle around in the cedar canoe we built together while I was stationed at FT. Jackson. 

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CPT Latorre

MS 2 Instructor / Training Officer

I am CPT Latorre, the MSII Instructor and S3 for the ROTC Program. I just recently joined the team and I’m having a great time so far. I’ve been in the military for 13 years. I started on active duty as an enlisted Military Police Soldier right out of high school and joined the Ohio Army National Guard several years later. I decided to become an MP Officer and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 2001. Since then I’ve been deployed twice in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am still in the Ohio National Guard and currently in command of the 323rd Military Police Company out of Toledo. My hobbies include running and triathlon and I enjoy participating in any kind of sport.

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CPT Smitley

Scholarship and Enrollment Officer

My name is CPT Smitley.  I am the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer and work with current and future cadets to find a way to pay for college and earn a commission.  I am originally from Apple Valley, Minnesota and moved to Ohio in 2006 with my husband.  I graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1999 and was commissioned as an Aviation Officer.  I was stationed at Fort Drum, NY, Fort Rucker, AL, and Camp Humphreys, Korea and also served in Afghanistan.  I enjoy reading, watching movies, running, doing triathlons and playing with our cat and dog.

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SFC Arnholter

MS3 Instructor

I am SFC Arnholter; I am the MS3 ROTC Instructor and Training NCO for the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Battalion. This means I am responsible for the success of the MS3’s.  I supervise and coordinate many of the battalion’s training events to ensure each event is conducted safely and to specific Army Standards.

I first enlisted in the Army in 1982 as a Cavalry Scout, and I have been a “Cav Trooper” ever since.  In my career, I have participated in numerous military activities such as: Guarding the East German/Czechoslovakian border during the 1980s, Panama in 1989, and Bosnia in 1997-1998.  I have also been a Drill Sergeant 1999-2001, a Basic Training Instructor 2001-2002, and I participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom I from 2003 to 2004.  I have taught here at The University of Akron, 42nd Ohio Volunteer Battalion since 2004.   I am the father of two children, a son age 17, and a daughter age 5.

On my free time I like to shoot guns, hunt, fish, play paintball, practice martial arts, and stay in shape.  I also enjoy summer water sports, hiking, and camping.

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Ms. Davis

Human Resources Assistant

I am Ms. Davis and I’m the Human Resource Assistant, which means I’m the person who handles all the paperwork involved with scholarships, commissioning of new officers, and ensuring cadets’ administrative needs are met.  I have worked in the Department of Military Science since June of 2005.  I have held a variety of federal government positions for the past 20 years.  So, I am the resident expert at managing the battalion’s Army paperwork.  My favorite part of the job is taking care of these young college students.  After a while, they start to feel a little like my own kids.  I currently live in Warren, Ohio and am the proud mother of two daughters and I also have a grandson.

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Ms. Welling

Administrative Secretary

I am Ms. Welling, the Administrative Secretary for the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Battalion. I have been with The University of Akron since August of 1997 and have also worked with Kent State University, Portage County Commissioners and Kent City Schools.  I have worked with local schools and colleges since  May 1989.  My primary job is to work as an assistant to LTC Young.  I have been responsible for the budget, coordinating the Veterans Day Ceremony, planning Commissioning each semester and the President’s Award Ceremony, maintain class scheduling and assist the cadets with projects when they request my help.

My husband, and I have three children, one granddaughter and another one due in July.  I am very active in local and state organizations’ which does not leave me a lot of “free” time.

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Mr. Skrzynski

Supply Technician

I am Mr. Skrzynski and I am a Department of Defense employee working for the University of Akron ROTC program.  My primary job is to coordinate all logistical operations within the ROTC program.  I live in Youngstown and I am one of the newest members of the cadre accepting this job in June 2006 after retiring from National Guard after 35 years.  I served in the National Guard from 1971-2006.  During that time I was on active duty with the National Guard from 1984-2006.  I served as a Supply Sergeant from 1984-2002 with the 838th Military Police Company in Youngstown and from 2002-2006 I was a Battalion Supply Sergeant with the 112th Transportation Battalion located near the Akron-Canton Airport.  I was deployed and served in support of “Operation Desert Storm”.   My military career gave me the opportunity to travel and see such places as Alaska, Japan, Germany, Italy, Austria and many states within the U.S.  I earned my Bachelors Degree in Education graduating from Youngstown State University in 1977.  I have a 13 year old son and enjoy playing golf, baseball, and attending Youngstown State football games.

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