ARMY ROTC:
Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

FIGHTING ILLINI



	The best way to start a day is morning physical fitness. It juvenates the body and the mind. It gives the cadets a sense of accomplishment well before their peers get out of bed. The physical fitness program is planned and conducted by the Cadets, giving them ownership of the progress each individual makes. It’s a fun and motivating time. It lasts for one hour, three times a week.
	The primary goal of our Physical Fitness Program in ROTC is to ensure that all Cadets meet the Army’s height and weight requirements and pass the Army Physical Readiness Test. This program introduces our Cadets new fitness ideals and establishes a routine fitness plan, which will follow them throughout their careers. All Cadets must understand that it is their personal responsibility to sustain a high level of physical fitness. We will assess and develop each Cadets fitness level and help them achieve their goals.

Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

The Army ROTC program is only as strong as its instructors. That's why we provide such highly qualified faculty and staff for Cadets. See the kind of varied and interesting experiences instructors have had that make them the best ROTC faculty and staff.

		LTC Peter Im Professor of Military Science I was commissioned in 1989 as an Infantry Second Lieutenant at the University of Michigan. I received a Baccalaureate Degree in Psychology at the University of Michigan. My first assignment was with the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea where I served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Assistant S2 and Assistant S3. I returned to the states for Intelligence Officer Training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and upon completion, was assigned to the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where I served as a Battalion S2, Aviation Brigade S2, Company Commander, and Battalion S3. In 1999, I attended the Joint Military Intelligence College in Washington D.C. where I received a Masters of Strategic Intelligence. Afterwards, I was assigned to the Human Resources Command where I served as an Assignment Officer, Military Intelligence Branch. Upon completion of that tour, my next duty assignment was the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland where I served as Battalion S3 and the Chief of the Army Technical Control and Analysis Element in the 704th MI Brigade. I attended the Army’s Command and General Staff College and the School for Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. While there I received a Masters in Military Arts and Science. Upon completion, I was assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps at Ft Bragg, North Carolina and deployed to Iraq where I served as the Multi-National Corps Iraq Chief of Intelligence Plans and upon return from OIF III, served as the Corps Intelligence Planner. My family and I joined the Fighting Illini Battalion in July 2007 and are privileged and honored to serve with you.
		LTC Don Stenzel Assistant Professor of Military Science MS III Instructor and Ranger Challenge Team Coach.
		LTC Eddy Tiner Assistant Professor of Military Science I first joined the Army ROTC Battalion in 2001 as the MS II Instructor and National Guard Liaison. When I finished my tour here, I left to pursue my degree. This fall I have returned to the Fighting Illini Battalion filling in as the MS III Instructor while my colleague is deployed in Afghanistan.
		MAJ Jeffrey White Assistant Professor of Military Science I received my commission through ROTC at THE Ohio State University in 1994, with a bachelor’s degree in Survey Engineering. That Summer I attended Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. My first assignment was a Fire Direction Officer for a 155mm self-propelled Howitzer Battery in Kirchgöns, Germany. I then was assigned as a Company Fire Support Officer for an M1A1 tank company deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina, then later a Platoon Leader for a howitzer battery. After redeployment to Gießen, Germany, I became an artillery Battalion Intelligence Officer and later the Battalion Personnel Officer. In 1998 I was reassigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for Field Artillery Officer Advance Course. This was followed by an assignment as an Artillery Gunnery Instructor. I departed active duty in 2000 to join the Illinois Army National Guard. Assignments included Battalion Assistant Operations Officer and Battery Commander. I participated in Peaceshield 2003 in the Ukraine, working with 23 countries in a training exercise. My current assignment, since September 2004, is the MS I (Freshmen) Instructor, Reserve Liaison, battalion Budget Officer and Rifle Team Coach.
		CPT Daniel Heim Assistant Professor of Military Science Scholarships and Enrollment Officer I was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer from West Point in 2002. My first assignment was as Company Fire Support Officer with A/2-325th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, NC. We deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, spending most of 2003 in Baghdad. Upon redeployment, I became the Battery Executive Officer for B/2-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, where we again deployed to Iraq, this time in support of Iraq’s first free elections in December 2004. After redeployment from Iraq in early 2005, I was assigned as the Executive Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, where we provided humanitarian relief assistance in New Orleans, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina. Shortly after our return, HHB, 319th AFAR began to transition to a modular Airborne Brigade Headquarters, HHC, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, transitioning from an Artillery brigade headquarters to an infantry brigade headquarters. In July of 2006, I became the Squadron Fire Support Officer for 4-73rd Cavalry, the 82nd Airborne Division’s Cavalry Squadron. I joined the Fighting Illini Battalion in October 2006. I currently serve as the Scholarships and Enrollment Officer.
		MSG Alfredo Bennett Senior Military Instructor I first arrived at the Fighting Illini battalion in 2006 as the Senior Military Instructor. I currently am the battalion’s Sergeant Major and am the Commander’s right hand man.
		SFC Robert Boucher Training NCO My first assignment was as a Vulcan 20mm Air Defense System Maintainer “If it Flies, It Dies!”. After Operation Desert Storm, I branch transferred to the Signal Corps as a 35E Radio/COMSEC Equipment Repairer and was stationed at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium. I returned to my roots as an Air Defender in August of 1999 operating the impressive Patriot Missile Air Defense Weapon System. I deployed as a Platoon Sergeant with the 11th ADA “Imperial Brigade” in support of Operations Enduring/Iraq Freedom and was awarded the Bronze Star. My family and I joined the Fighting Illini Battalion in December of 2007 and although we are definitely not in Texas anymore, we are growing to love the area. In addition to being the Military Science Instructor, I also handle the responsibilities of Training and Operations Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), and Rifle Team NCOIC.
		Debbie Krites Human Resource Technician Cadet Actions point of contact.
		Emily Brown Secretary Scholarships and Enrollment Assistant.
		Kent Kraus Administrative Resources Cadre Admin and Assistant Cadet Admin Point of Contact
		Cynthia Williams Assistant Military Property Custodian Uniform and equipment issue.