ARMY ROTC:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

TAR HEEL BATTALION



	The Faculty and Staff
	at the University of North Carolina’s Army ROTC program

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 Yoder Professor of Military Science BN Commander MSIV Instructor Lieutenant Colonel Yoder was commissioned through the Army ROTC program upon graduation from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Over the past 20 years, he has held leadership and key staff positions in United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar. Lieutenant Colonel Yoder’s assignment history includes: platoon leader with the 498th Forward Support Battalion (FSB), 2nd Armored Division (Hell on Wheels); company commander of A Company, 101st FSB, 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One); Support Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the 125th FSB, 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides); Chief of the Officer Advanced Petroleum an Water Division (Quartermaster Center and School); and prior to his current assignment he served as an Executive Officer (XO) and Logistics War-Planner for the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). Lieutenant Colonel Yoder has earned a Bachelor Degree in Mathematics from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a Master Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. His military education includes the Quartermaster Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
		MSG Thomas Senior Military Instructor Commandant of Cadets A native of Boutte, Louisiana, Master Sergeant Thomas entered the United States Army on 15 May 1984. He received his Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He assumed the duties and responsibilities as the Senior Military Instructor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, on 10 April 2007. Master Sergeant Thomas has served in leadership positions from Team Leader to First Sergeant. His previous assignments include the 1st Battalion 52nd Infantry, Bamberg, Germany, 1st Battalion 12th Infantry, Fort Carson, Colorado, 4th Battalion 12th Infantry, Baumholder, Germany, 2nd Battalion 7th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas, 3rd Regional Training Brigade, AC/RC, Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, 2nd Infantry Division, South Korea, 1st Battalion 29th Infantry, Fort Benning, Georgia, Joint Futures Lab and the Joint Center of Operational Analysis, Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, Virginia, and as First Sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan. Master Sergeant Thomas' military education and training includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Course, the Training Developer Middle Managers Course, the System Approach to Training Basic Course, the Army Instructor Training Course, the Army Facilitator Course, the Observer Controller Academy and the Unit Prevention Leaders Course. Master Sergeant Thomas civilian education includes an Associates Degree in Biblical Studies and Bachelors of Theology Degree. His award and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (9th award), Good Conduct Medal (7th award), National Defense Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), the Army Service Ribbon, the Over Seas Ribbon (3rd Achievement), the NATO Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Expert Infantryman's Badge. Master Sergeant Thomas is also a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice award, which is awarded to Infantrymen who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity, moral courage, professional competence and dedication to duty. He is married to the former Lisa Maria Jefferson and together they have two daughters.
		MAJ Walton Asst. Professor of Military Science BN XO MSII Instructor MAJ Walton is a native of Virginia Beach, VA. Upon graduation from high school, he attended the College of William and Mary. He was commissioned 2LT in Armor and graduated with a BA in Government and History in May of 1997. Upon graduation, MAJ Walton immediately went on active duty and served as the officer-in-charge of the Field Leaders Reaction Course, ROTC Advance Camp, Fort Lewis, Washington. MAJ Walton graduated from the Armor Officer Basic Course in November of 1997 and was then assigned to 3-69 AR, 1 BDE, 3d Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga. While a member of 3-69 AR, he served as a tank platoon leader in Alpha Company, and tank company executive officer of Delta Company. From February to July of 1998, MAJ Walton deployed to Kuwait as a part of Operation Desert Thunder. He was then assigned to C Troop, 1st Cavalry Regiment to serve as the 1st Brigade, 3d ID recon troop executive officer. In January of 2001, he attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course. Upon graduation, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division in September of 2001. In 1-12 CAV, he served as the Battalion Maintenance Officer until May of 2003, and the S3 Air until December of 2003. MAJ Walton took command of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry in December of 2003. In March of 2004, Crazyhorse deployed the company to Iraq for OIF II as a part of TF 1-12 CAV. For a year, MAJ Walton led C/1-12 CAV to conduct over 1000 full spectrum operations in Nissan and Sadr City. He also served as the senior military advisor to the Shawra Um Jidir Neighborhood Advisory Council that supported over 420,000 people. His current assignment is as Assistant Professor of Military Science and Executive Officer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His military schooling includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Armor Officer Advance Course, Combined Arms and Staff School, the Tank Commander Certification Course, the Mounted Digital Leaders Course, and Airborne School. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge. MAJ Walton is married to the former Miss Russell of Austin, TX.
		LTC McCommons Asst. Professor of Military Science Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) McCommons is a native of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating from high school in 1980, he enlisted in the Army as a Cartographic Engineer. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to the 595th Engineer Company, 45th Support Group, Fort Shafter, Hawaii. In 1983 he was selected to attend the United States Military Academy and in 1987was commissioned 2LT in the Air Defense Artillery and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering Studies. Over his twenty-three years of military service, LTC (R) McCommons served in a variety of leadership positions including: Platoon Leader and Battery Executive Officer, Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion (PATRIOT), 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Hanau Germany; Assistant Brigade S-3, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Lewis, Washington; Battery Commander, 4th Battalion (PATRIOT), 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington; Deputy Inspector General, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York; Battalion S-3, 3rd Battalion (PATRIOT), 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Bliss, Texas; Brigade S-3, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas; Army Chief, Theater Air and Missile Defense Branch, J-3, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Professor of Military Science and Department Chair, Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania. LTC (R) McCommons is a Distinguished Honor Graduate of both his Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course and Advance Course. He has also attended: the Air Defense PATRIOT Weapons Course and the Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) Course; the Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3); the Army Inspector General Course at For Belvoir, Virginia; the Army Basic Resource Management Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; the Army Advance Resource Management Course at Syracuse University; the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; the Army Air Assault Course at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In addition, he holds a Master of Science Degree in Counseling from Long Island University. He is as a combat veteran who has served in Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In addition, LTC (R) McCommons served more than four years on deployments and during operations in countries such as Korea, Japan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), the National Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Ribbon (2nd Award , the Army Service Ribbon, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Air Assault Badge. LTC (R) McCommons currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
		Currently Vacant Recruiting Operations Officer MSI Instructor
		SFC Kurz Training NCO SFC Kurz was born and raised in NYC and joined the army when he was 17 and has been in the army for 19 years. He served in the 82D Airborne Division, 1st Ranger BN, 2nd Infantry Division and the Joint Readiness Training Center. During the past 19 years he deployed to Panama during Operation Just Cause, Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Sheild, Iraq in support of Desert Storm and Iraq again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, all of which he served in the 82D Airborne Division.
		Ms Hawkins HRA Human Resources Administrator Ms. Hawkins, has held various administrative positions throughout her 9 year Civil Service Career. Most of her positions were held at UNC-Chapel Hill. Other Assignments include Raleigh Recruiting Battalion (USAREC) and Womack Army Medical Center. Ms. Hawkins likes quiet time at home and to be able to spend time with her family.
		Mr. Hart Supply Mr. Hart became affiliated with the Tarheel Battalion as a Supply Technician in May of 2005. He was born in Washington State, and joined the Air Force in 1985. Assigned to the Strategic Air Command, he also volunteered as a crisis counselor at Suicide Prevention of Sacramento where he met his future wife Amy. Mr. (Staff Sergeant) Hart left active duty in 1991 to pursue a degree in Science Education at the University of Iowa. He joined the Iowa Army National Guard and served for 5 years before moving to Colorado, where he transferred to the Air National Guard. While there he was activated for two years in support of Operation Noble Eagle. He also did a six month tour assigned to Air Force Space Command. Upon moving to North Carolina, Mr. Hart returned to the Army National Guard, where he held positions as a systems analyst and dental assistant. In October of 2006 he retired from the guard to devote more time to his family. Mr. Hart’s hobbies include flying, hunting, fishing, and competitive marksmanship.