Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

LTC Joseph J. Yakawich

Professor of Military Science

LTC Joseph J. Yakawich is a 1982 graduate of Butte Central High School in Butte, Montana. He graduated as the Distinguished Military Graduate from Montana Tech in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. He also holds a Masters Degree in Management from Webster University in ST Louis, Missouri. Commissioned in 1986 into the Armor Corps, he has served in leadership and staff positions from platoon through corps level. He is a certified Army Instructor and served as a combat advisor in Kabul Province, Afghanistan. Past assignments include duty with: the 2-13th Armor, 1-10th Cavalry, 2-72nd Armor in the Republic of South Korea, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, III Armored Corps, and 1-12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. LTC Yakawich also served as a Resident Training Detachment Commander with the 41st Separate Infantry Brigade, Oregon ARNG, an Observer/Trainer with the Army’s Battle Command Training Program (BCTP), and a Tactics Instructor at the Command and General Staff College. Awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the NATO Medal. LTC Yakawich is married to the former Lori LaChapelle of Waterbury, CT. They have three children: Benjamin, Catherine, and Matthew.

MSG Patrick D. Van Hecke

Senior Military Advisor

MSG Patrick Van Hecke joined the military in May, 1990 as a 19 D Cavalry Scout and completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) in Ft Knox, Kentucky.  His first duty assignment was in Bindlach Germany with 2d ACR and deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm in Dec 1990- April, 1991 where he served as a dismount. In 1992-1997 he was stationed at Ft. Drum, New York with the 3-17 Cavalry Squadron and served as a Gunner, Squad Leader, and a Section Sergeant. He deployed with his unit to Hurricane Andrew in Homestead Florida. Also to Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti.  From 1997-1999 he served as a Drill Sergeant at Ft Knox, Kentucky with 5-15 Cavalry.  From 1999 through 2002 he served as a Platoon Sergeant with 1-7 Cavalry. From September, 2002 –October, 2006 he served with 75th Div, 3-395 Armor Battalion. He helped mobilize numerous National Guard units and deployed in February 2005 – February 2006 to Operation Iraqi Freedom and worked with a Special Police Transition Team. His next assignment moved him to 3d ACR from November 2006-May 2009. He served as the S2 NCOIC and Operations Sergeant Major during his first 4 months, and then moved into a First Sergeant position where he completed his last deployment from November 2007-January 2009 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since June 2009 he has been the Senior Military Advisor at the University of Montana’s Military Science Department.  Military schools that he has attended include One Station Unit Training (Basic/Advanced Individual Training), Primary Leadership Development Course, Nuclear Biological Chemical School, Air Assault School, Jungle Warfare School, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Drill Sergeant School, Scout Leader Course and Battle Staff School.  Awards include 2 Bronze Star Medals, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Army Accommodation Medal, 7 Army Achievement Medal, 1 Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 1 Valorous Unit Award, 6 Army Good Conduct Medal, 1 Southwest Asia Medal with 3 Bronze Star, 1 Iraqi Campaign Medal, 1 Gulf War on Terrorism Medal, 2 Humanitarian Medals, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3, 1 Army Service Ribbon, 2 Overseas Service Ribbons, 1Saudi Arabia/Kuwait Liberation Medal, Drill Sergeant Instructor Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drivers Badge and the Combat Action Badge.

MAJ Natalie Jewett

Senior Military Science Instructor

Major Natalie Jewett graduated from Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Corps. She was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.   While assigned to the 101st she served as an Infantry Brigade Assistant Intelligence Officer, a Military Intelligence Platoon Leader, a Corps Support Group Intelligence Officer, along with operational deployments to Italy as an Intelligence Analyst in support of Allied Joint Forces Command Naples , and Iraq as a Division Intelligence Battle Captain in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In 2003, MAJ Jewett transitioned from the active Army to the United States Army Reserve where she served as an Intelligence Analyst with the 3425th Military Intelligence Detachment, Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C., as the Intelligence Officer for 15th Psychological Operations Battalion, Cincinnati, OH and is currently serving as the Training Officer for the 2100th Military Intelligence Group, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.  MAJ Jewett’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal. MAJ Jewett is married to Dennis Bovee and they have two sons, Austin and Brant.

MAJ Jason A. Grider

Scholarship and Enrollment Officer

Email

(406) 243-4400

Major Jason Grider enlisted in the Army in 1994 where he was assigned to the 625th Military Police Company in the Utah Army National Guard.  In 1997, MAJ Grider graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor of Science in History and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps.  After completing the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course in Fort Lee, VA he was assigned to the 194th Maintenance Battalion in Camp Humphreys, Korea.  There he served as Warehouse Platoon Leader for Gulf Company, 52nd Aviation Regiment and the Battalion Support Operations Maintenance Officer. In 1999, MAJ Grider was assigned to the 68th Corps Support Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado.  There he served as Warehouse Platoon Leader for the 183d Maintenance Company and the Battalion Support Operations Supply and Services Officer.  In 2001, MAJ Grider attended the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course (CLC3) and the Petroleum Officers Course, and upon completion was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Wurzburg, Germany.  There he served as the Division G4 Planner and was the HHC Company Commander for 1ID Division Support Command.  While being assigned to the Division he served on operational deployments to Kosovo, Turkey, and Iraq.  In 2006 MAJ Grider transitioned from the active army to the Utah Army National Guard where he served as the Company Commander for E Company 1-211th Aviation Troop Command and Operations Officer for the 115th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.  In 2009, MAJ Grider moved to Montana and is currently serving as the Recruiting Operations Officer for the University of Montana Army ROTC.  MAJ Grider’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with two OLC), the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (with one OLC), The Kosovo Campaign Medal, The Iraq Campaign Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Korean Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, The Overseas Service Ribbon (with one device) and the NATO Medal (Kosovo).  MAJ Grider is married to Summer Grider from Salt Lake City, Utah.  They have four children, Skye, 17, Breanna, 15, Amanda, 13, and Ethan, 3.

MAJ Mark McGinley

Officer in Charge (OIC), Carroll College, Helena, MT

Email

(406) 447-5484

Delighted to return to Carroll College, his alma mater, Major Mark McGinley enlisted into the Montana Army National Guard in November 1988, graduated from Officer Candidate School in June 1990 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.  He completed the Armor Basic Course at Ft. Knox, Ky., in December 1990 and in August 1992 completed helicopter flight training at Ft. Rucker, Ala., and branch transferred to Aviation. His assignments include: armor platoon leader (D/1-163 CAV); aviation platoon leader (A/1-189 Aviation); detachment commander (1085 Air Ambulance); commander, Headquarters-Headquarters Company (1-189 Aviation); liaison officer (415 Ground Liaison Detachment); aide-de-camp to the adjutant general, Montana; and deputy commander (83rd Civil Support Team). He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2003 through March 2004. His decorations include: the Senior Army Aviator Badge; Army Commendation Medal; Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terror Service Medal; and Humanitarian Service Medal.  Major McGinley and his wife Elizabeth have two children.

CPT Dustin J Kay

Assistant Professor of Military Science

CPT Dustin J. Kay is a 1999 graduate of West High School in Sioux City, IA.  He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Leisure, Youth, and Human Services.  He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.  Commissioned in 2003 into the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Corps, he served in leadership and staff positions from platoon leader through brigade level.  He is Hazardous Materials Technician certified, and has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  Past assignments include duty with: Division Artillery, 25th Infantry Division (Light), HHB, Division Artillery, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, and 3d Battalion 7th Regiment Field Artillery Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.  Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf), Army Achievement Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, and the Overseas Service ribbon (3).  CPT Kay is married to the former Mary Elizabeth Muller of Sioux City, IA.  They have two children: Addisyn and Samuel.

CPT Tracy A. Mitchell

Senior Military Science Instructor

Email

(406) 243-2772

CPT Tracy A Mitchell is a 1994 graduate of Jefferson High School in Boulder, Montana.  In 2000, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Carroll College in Helena, MT.  She enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 1994 and served in various positions up to platoon sergeant.  She received a direct commission into the Adjutant General Corps in 2002.  She has served with the 159th Corps Support Group and the 747th Adjutant General Company (Postal) and served as a detachment commander while in Iraq.  She currently serves as the Battalion S-4 Logistics Officer for the 379th Engineer Battalion.  Her awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the NCO Professional Development Ribbon.  CPT Mitchell is married to Timothy F. Mitchell of Missoula, MT.

SFC Charles M. Robinson

Senior Military Science Instructor

SFC Charles M. Robinson is a 1989 graduate of Bessemer City High School in Bessemer City, North Carolina. He graduated from Central Texas College in 2007 with an Associate of General Studies Degree. He joined the US Army in 1991 into the Infantry; he has served in leadership and staff positions from platoon through division level. He is a certified Army Instructor and served as a combat advisor in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Past assignments include duty with: the 1st Infantry Division, Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, LA, 2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC, 2-27 Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, HI, 3-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC, 1-27 Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, HI,  . Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the NATO Medal. SFC Robinson has two children: Trystan and Alexis.

SFC Ernest Conner

Senior Military Science Instructor, Carroll College, Helena, MT

SFC Ernest Conner joined Carroll College late Spring Semester of 2005. Previous assignments largely involve time with the 5th Special Forces (SF) Group as the SF Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeants, SF Operations Sergeant, a National Guard Recruiter and others.  He has participated in operations in Haiti, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan as well as others. SFC Conner is a graduate of Special Forces Jumpmaster Course, Arabic-Egyptian Language Course and the Special Forces Sniper Course. His awards include the Master Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.  SFC Conner's wife, Barb, is a former Adjutant General Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard.  They have four children.

Ms. Terri Petersen

Human Resources Technician

Terri Petersen is a native of Missoula, Montana.  After attending the College of Technology in 1977, she worked at the Flathead Alcohol and Drug Program until 1981.  She returned to Missoula in 1981, where she worked for the Office of Admissions and Office of Registrar until 1988.  In 1988, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Management and Real Estate) and began working for the Department of Military Science.   Terri continues to enjoy the ever changing and vastly challenging environment that ROTC and campus life provides.  She is married to Kenneth Knight and has four grown sons and three grandchildren.  She and her husband live outside of Frenchtown where they raise livestock and do organic gardening.  She and her family spend summers at the lake boating, fishing, camping and swimming or in the mountains huckleberry picking and hunting. 

Mr. Rick Reeves

Supply Specialist

Richard (Rick) Reeves is a Vietnam War Veteran, having served in Vietnam from 1967-1968.  He attended Southern Oregon College from 1969 through 1972.  He was an All-American Swimmer in 1970.  He retired from the Army in 2002, finishing his military career as a battalion S-4.  Since 2002 he has been the Supply Specialist and Swimming Instructor for the University of Montana ROTC.  Rick and his wife have two daughters.  He enjoys hunting, fishing, boating and swimming.

Ms. Corina Horstman

Human Resource Assistant

Corina Horstman, a 1990 graduate of Charlo High School in Charlo, Montana, graduated from Bauder Fashion College in Arlington, Texas in May of 1993 with an Associate of Applied Arts degree.  After working in the fashion world, she decided to pursue a more gratifying career by joining the United States Army in 1994 and served 4 years on Active Duty.  Ms. Horstman completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and then, completed Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.  After completing AIT, she was assigned to the 66th Military Intelligence (MI) Group in Augsburg, Germany and then, was sent to Detachment 3, C Company 205th MI Battalion at Camp Darby, Italy for 3 years providing support for Operation Joint Endeavor, Bosnia.  Awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the National Defense Medal. In 1999, she moved to Fort Meade, Maryland, where she worked for the University of Maryland University College which provided educational opportunities for Soldiers and their dependents.  In June 2000, she returned to Montana to attend the University of Montana.  She graduated from the University of Montana in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Management and in 2008, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in French.  Since August 2000, she has worked in various capacities at the University of Montana to include Registration, Financial Aid, served as the Veteran’s Coordinator as well as an Academic Advisor for the Undergraduate Advising Center.  Since August 2007, she has been with the Military Science Department.  Currently, she is a Human Resource Assistant providing administrative support to both cadre and Cadets.  Corina currently lives in Missoula where she enjoys camping, hiking and fishing. An avid reader who likes to bake, workout and most of all, loves to travel.

Ms. Susan Cundiff

Administrative Associate

(406) 243-2769

Susan Cundiff graduated from James Wood High School in Winchester, VA and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Montana.  She spent time in the UM ROTC program and 3669th Maintenance Co in Missoula, MT.  She is currently compiling her thesis to complete her graduate studies in Intercultural Communication at the University of Montana. Prior to her position as the Military Science Administrative Associate, she taught Public Speaking, Intercultural Communication, and beginning Spanish at the community college level.  She enjoys traveling, learning, writing, cooking, sewing, and most of all, spending time with her three daughters.

SFC Richard Anderson

United States Army Reserve Recruiter

Email

(877) 826-8672

SFC Anderson is a 1997 graduate of Westville High School in Westville, Oklahoma.  He has attended Grantham University in Missouri, where he studied and is working on his Business Administration Degree.  He enlisted into the US Marine Corps in August of 1997.  He spent 7 years in the Marine Corps, deployed 3 times and then was a Combat Instructor at Camp Lejuene, NC.  He then enlisted into the US Army in September of 2004.  He deployed to Iraq from 2004-2005.  Units of assignment include:  3rd Bn, 8th Marines, 2nd Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team, 2-14th Cavalry, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, 98th Division Institutional Training, 5th Special Forces Group and United States Army Recruiting Command.  Awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Global War on Terrorism and Iraqi Campaign Medals.  SFC Anderson is married to former Laurina Watford of San Antonio, TX.  They have no children at this time.

SFC Timothy Guffin

Montana Army National Guard Recruiter

Email

(406) 241-9198

SFC Timothy Guffin is a Missoula Native and graduated from Hellgate High School in 1994.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps as an Infantryman with Alpha Company 1st Battalion 5th Marines (A CO 1BN 5th Marines).  While serving with the Marines he was deployed three times.  He was honorably discharged from the Marines four years later, in June 1998.  He then joined the Montana National Guard as an Infantryman in Bravo Company 1-163 Infantry Battalion.  He was deployed to Bosnia in 2002 and then to Iraq from 2004-2005.  Upon returning from Iraq he attended the University of Montana for three years.  He then applied for and Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Recruiter position and now works as the Montana National Guard Liaison in the ROTC department at the U of M.