Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

LTC James Fischer

Professor of Military Science

Lieutenant Colonel James Fischer grew up in Jefferson, WI.  He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Air Defense Artillery as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Army ROTC at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.  He holds Bachelor of Arts Degrees in History and German from Marquette as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in History from the Ohio State University.  His military education includes Airborne School, the Air Defense Officer Basic Course, the Air Defense Officer Advance Course with honors, Ranger School, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School and the Command and General Staff College (CGSC).  LTC Fischer’s initial assignment was to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Regiment, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO where he served as a Vulcan Platoon Leader, Stinger Scout Platoon Leader, and Battery Executive Officer (XO).  His was then assigned to 5th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Germany where he was Assistant Operations Officer before taking command of Charlie Battery.  He later commanded the battalion’s Headquarters Battery which he deployed in 1996 to Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of the Implementation Force for the Dayton Peace Accords.  Upon completion of Advanced Civil Schooling in Ohio, he taught History at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.  In 2002, he completed CGSC at Fort Leavenworth, KS before joining the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Regiment, First Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX.  While with the First Team, he was the Operations Officer for the battalion’s mission to defend Washington, D.C. from airborne terrorist attack as part of Operation Noble Eagle and then was the Battalion XO for his unit’s deployment to Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.  LTC Fischer served as the First Cavalry Division Air Defense Officer prior to his current assignment.  Among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal,Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Army Physical Fitness Badge.  LTC Fischer is married to Christine and they have four children: CJ, Braden, Samuel, and Taite Ying.

MSG Keith H. Arnold

Senior Military Instructor / MSIII Advisor

Master Sergeant Keith Arnold grew up in Wilson, AR.  He joined the Army in 1986 and attended Basic and Advanced Individual Training at FT. Benning, GA.  He holds a BA in Social Sciences from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, NJ.  His military education includes Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Non-commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non-commissioned Officer Course, First Sergeant Course, Air Assault School, Airborne School, and Ranger School. 

MSG Arnold’s first assignment was 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) FT. Campbell , KY where he served as a Rifleman and Machine Gunner.  He was then assigned to 1st Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, Baumholder Germany where he was a Team Leader and Squad Leader.  MSG Arnold was then assigned to 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), FT. Campbell , KY where he deployed in support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a Team Leader and later a Squad Leader.  He was then assigned to the Joint Readiness Training Center at FT. Polk, LA where he served as an Observer Controller.  MSG Arnold returned to 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), FT. Campbell , KY where he served as a Platoon Sergeant.  He was then assigned to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK where he served as Primary Military Instructor.  MSG Arnold was then assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea where he served as the Headquarters Company First Sergeant.  Prior to his current assignment he served as First Sergeant in the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment (RSTA), 506th Regimental Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), FT. Campbell, KY where he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantrymen’s Badge with Star, Expert Infantrymen’s Badge, and the Army Physical Fitness Badge. 

MSG Arnold is married to the former Kelly Dean and they have three children:  Ben, Keith, and Emily. 

MAJ Robb Mattila

Recruiting Operations Officer

MAJ Mattila is the Fighting Saints Battalion Recruiting Operations Officer. MAJ Mattila is assigned to the Department of Military Science from the Minnesota Army National Guard where he works as an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Officer. He has held a variety of leadership positions throughout his more than 10 years of service to include Platoon Leader, Company XO, Battalion A/S3, Company Commander and Battalion Executive Officer.  MAJ Mattila is a graduate Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Captains Career Course and the Combined Arms Exercise Course.  His awards include Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award),  Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and MN ARNG Recruiting Ribbon. MAJ Mattila and his family reside in Sartell, Minnesota.

MAJ Joey Errington

Executive Officer

Major Errington is the Fighting Saints Battalion Executive Officer and an Assistant Instructor.  He is a Field Artillery Officer and came to the Department of Military Science from Buamholder, Germany.  MAJ Errington, along with Germany, has been stationed at Fort Stewart, GA, Fort Sill, OK, and Fort Riley, KS, in conjunction with one tour in Bosnia and two tours in Iraq.  Over 15 years he has held a variety of leadership positions to include Company Fire Support Officer, Firing Platoon Leader, Battery XO, Task Force Fire Support Officer, Battalion Fire Direction Officer, Battalion Adjutant, and Battery Commander.  His awards include the Bronze Star (2 awards), Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (3 awards),  Army Achievement Medal (7 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (3 tours), NATO Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Action Badge.  MAJ Errington and his family reside in St. Joseph, Minnesota.

CPT Berube

Assistant Professor of Military Science/Executive Officer

Captain Berube is the Fighting Saints Battalion Executive Officer.  He is a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard and currently serves on the battalion staff of the 682d Engineer Battalion in Willmar, MN.  In July of 2008, CPT Berube returned from a 22 month mobilization that included a 16 month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 1/34 Brigade Combat Team.  He served as the Liaison Officer for the 1-34 Brigade Special Troops Battalion to the 1/34 BCT.  During the first 10 years of CPT Berube’s 22 years of service, he served in the Military Intelligence branch and was a Platoon Sergeant in the 82nd ABN Div when he decided to ETS in order to pursue his college degree fulltime.  As an Officer, CPT Berube has been a member of the Air Defense Artillery branch, but is nearing completion of his transition training to become an Engineer Officer.  He has held the positions of platoon leader, battery XO, battalion S1, battalion assistant S3, and LNO.  CPT Berube graduated Magna cum Laude from SCSU in 1998, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.  He is currently working on his Master of Business Administration degree.  His awards include: Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Achievement Award (4th award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct (3rd Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M device with silver hourglass device), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (2nd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (3 tours), and Parachutist Badge.  CPT Berube, his wife Amy, and their three sons Joe Jr., Aidan, and Quintin reside in Litchfield, MN

SFC Derek Fussell

Military Science Instructor / MS II Advisor

SFC Fussell Derek is the Fighting Saints Battalion Training NCO and the MSII Instructor. SFC Fussell came to the Department of Military Science from Hanau, Germany where he was the Platoon Sergeant for Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Regiment. He has held a variety of leadership positions throughout his more than 15 years of service to include PATRIOT Radar Section Chief, Opposing Force Section Chief, Fire Control Platoon Sergeant, Fire Direction Center Platoon Sergeant.  He has completed tours in Germany, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Fort Polk, Fort Irwin and Fort Bliss Texas.  SFC Fussell is a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic and Advanced Noncommissioned Officer's Courses. His awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. SFC Fussell resides with his wife Marcella and twin boys Kadan and Colton in St Cloud, Minnesota.

Mr. Alberto DeJesus

Adjutant / SCSU Administrator

MSG (R) DeJesus is the Fighting Saints Battalion Administration and Personnel Technician. DJ came to the Department of Military Science from the University of WI-La Crosse where he was the Senior Military Instructor and MSIII Advisor. He has served in every Light Infantry duty position from Riflemen through Platoon Sergeant. He also served as a Field Recruiter, Station Commander and Field First Sergeant for the Minneapolis Recruiting Battalion. He has participated in two combat deployments. He has attended and completed the following military training: PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, Sniper, Air Assault, Light Leaders, Master Fitness and Rappel Master. His awards include: Meritorious Service Medal 3rd OCL, Army Commendation Medal 3rd OCL, and the Army Achievement Medal 12th OCL. MSG (R) DeJesus and his family reside in Princeton, Minnesota.

Mr. Joseph W. Peterson

Human Resources Assistant

Mr. Joseph W. Peterson is the Fighting Saints Battalion Human Resource Assistant (HRA).  Joe came to the Department of Military Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he served in several positions prior to his retirement after 24 years of active duty with the U.S. Army.  His previous assignments included Fort Campbell, KY, Stuttgart Germany, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN, Fort Benning, GA, Fort Riley, KS, Heidelberg, Germany, Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX, and West Point, NY.  He has attended and completed the following military training: Command & General Staff College, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Finance Officer Career Course, Infantry Officers Basic Course, Officer Candidate School, Airborne, Air Assault and PLDC.  His awards include:  Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/3 stars, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland and a Masters of Science in Education from Long Island University.   Mr. Peterson and his family reside in Buffalo, Minnesota.

Mr. Harland J. Grams

Supply Technician

SFC (R) Grams is the Fighting Saints Battalion Supply Technician. Howie came to the Department of Military Science from the Minnesota Army National Guard (AGR) where he was a member of the Supply Instruction and Assistance Team for the Director of Logistics. In his Military career he served with the supply and transport, Main Support, DISCOM and 1st Brigade duty positions. He has attended and completed the following military training: PLDC, BNCOC and ANCOC. His awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal 2d OCL, and the Army Achievement Award 7th OCL. SFC (R) Grams and his family reside in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Ms. Molly Wiemann

Admin Assistant / SJU Administrator

Ms. Molly Wiemann is the Administrative Assistant for the Fighting Saints Battalion and is employed by Saint Bens University.  Mrs. Wiemann is a graduate of Saint Cloud Technical College and has received an AAS degree in Credit and Finance.  Mrs. Wiemann resides in Clearwater, MN with her family.