Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

LTC Michael L. Hedegaard

Professor of Military Science

LTC Michael L. Hedegaard is a 1982 graduate of Whitehall High School in Whitehall Montana. He holds a 1987 Bachelor of Science in Geography from Montana State University and a 2001 Master of Military Arts and Science in History from the Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth Kansas. LTC Hedegaard was commissioned in 1987 as an Aviation officer. Previous assignments include the 82nd Airborne Division, participating in Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. He has also completed assignments in the 11th Aviation Regiment in Illesheim, Germany, and the 1st Infantry Division in Katterbach, Germany, participating in Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Iraqi Freedom II in Iraq. LTC Hedegaard is qualified in the AH-64 Apache, OH-58, UH-1 and TH-55 helicopters and is a senior aviator, senior parachutist, and a graduate of the Air Assault Course. Previous awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. LTC Hedegaard is married and has two children and his hobbies include hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, and spending time with his family. He assumed command of the Grizzly Battalion on 1 August, 2004.

MSG David Yost

Senior Military Science Instructor

MSG Yost enlisted in the USAR in Feb 1981 after graduating Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon, PA.  MSG Yost’s previous assignments include: A troop 2-9 CAV 24ID FT Stewart, GA from 1983 till 1986, D & HHC companies 1-35 AR 1AD Erlangen, Germany 1986, D co 1-66AR Fort Hood, TX in 1989. He deployed to Operation Bright Star in 1985, Desert Storm, Bosnia in 1991, and Kosovo in 2001. Upon return from Kosovo SFC Yost was reassigned to 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwohr, GE as the Out of Sector Training Branch NCOIC. He deployed to Poland, Hungry, Sweden, and the Czech Republic during 9 months in this position. In Sept 2004 MSG Yost was reassigned to Fort Hood TX and Assigned as First Sergeant of A troop 1-10 CAV deploying to Iraq In both Al Hilla and Bagdad. His awards Include Bronze Star with V and 1OLC, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Army Commendation Medal with 5 OLC, Army Achievement Medal with 7 OLC, National Defense service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Global War on terrorism Service medal, South west Asia Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze star, Iraq campaign medal with Bronze Star, and the Combat Action Badge.  MSG Yost is married and has two daughters. In April 2007 MSG Yost was assigned as the Senior Military Science Instructor at the University of Montana.

MAJ Dean Roberts

Enrollment Officer

Dean.roberts@mso.umt.edu

(406) 243-4400

MAJ Dean Roberts is a 1991graduate of Capital High School in Helena, Montana.  He holds a 1996 Bachelor of Science in English and Philosophy from the United States Military Academy – West Point.  MAJ Roberts was commissioned in June 1996 as an Aviation officer.  Previous assignments include Attack Platoon Leader and Squadron S-1 for the 6th Squadron 6th Cavalry – 11th Aviation Regiment. While a member of 6-6 CAV he participated in separate deployments to Bosnia, Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo.  Following the completion of the Aviation Captains Career Course and the Command and Staff School he was assigned as the Chief, Force Modernization/Force Development in the US Army Aviation Directorate of Combat Developments.  MAJ Roberts then served as the Commander of the U.S Army Primary and Instrument Flight School (IERW) from June 2002 until November 2003.  His duties while assigned to this command included the oversight of the introductory flight training for over 2000 new aviators a year, oversight of the Instrument Flight Examiners Course, oversight of the U.S. Army’s Fixed Wing training, Instructor Pilot and Commander of Cairns Army Airfield.  Following this assignment he transferred as an Active Guard/Reserve Program Officer the 85th CST (Weapons of Mass Destruction) Terrorist Response Team based in Salt Lake City, UT.  While assigned as the Operations Officer he deployed in response to Hurricane Katrina.  His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 OLC, Army Achievement Medal with 2 OLC, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Senior Aviation Officer Badge. MAJ Roberts is married and has one son.  His hobbies include fly fishing, camping and hunting.  MAJ Roberts was assigned as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Montana in March 2005.  His duties include advisor/instructor for the freshman students/cadets and as well as the Enrollment and Scholarship Officer.    

Captain Bill Ballinger

OIC of Carroll College in Helena, MT

bballinger@carroll.edu
(406) 447-5484

MAJ Bill Ballinger graduated from Missoula Hellgate High School in 1986.  While at the University of Montana, he completed R.O.T.C. and was commissioned into the Montana National Guard.  He earned a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the U of M in 2004. Previous civilian assignments include: science teacher at Missoula Hellgate High School, teaching both Mathematics and Science at the middle school level.  MAJ Ballinger also has nine seasons of experience as a United States Forest Service Wildland Firefighter.  During his career he worked on Engine Crew, Type I Interagency Hotshot Crews (Lolo IHC), and as a squad boss on the Great Northern Type II Developmental Crew. MAJ Ballinger's military experience consists of 15 years in both the U.S. Army Reserves and the Montana National Guard. His positions have included platoon leader, detachment commander, assistant S2/3 staff, company commander, and BN S4. He has completed both his Field Artillery Officer Basic Course and his Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course.  From 2003 - 2006 MAJ Ballinger served as the Enrichment Officer and Freshman Advisor at the UM ROTC program.  MAJ Ballinger is also head coach of the brand new Men's and Women's Cross-Country program at Carroll College. He spent the past 10 years coaching Cross Country and the distance Track runners at the High School level.  In his free time, he loves to hang out with his family, wife and two sons. You'll find them at the lake in the summer enjoying their new ski-boat! Currently he is assigned as the Officer In-Charge at the Carroll College ROTC program.