Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Thomson

Professor of Military Science

E-mail

(804) 287-6064

(804) 289-8829 (FAX)

Millhiser Gym

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Mark Thomson has served as professor of military science at University of Richmond and its partner schools (Hampden-Sydney College, Longwood University, Randolph-Macon College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Union University) since January 2011. LTC Thomson received his commission from Army ROTC at Oregon State University in 1993.

He is a single-track Functional Area 24 (FA24 - Telecommunications Systems Engineer). Prior to selection as an FA24 in 2004, he was a Quartermaster (supply) officer.

He has served in a variety of command, staff, and leadership positions, to include: supply platoon leader, company executive officer, and task force property book officer in 25th Infantry Division, Company Commander in 262d Quartermaster Battalion, wholesale logistics plans officer in Defense Logistics Agency, POW/MIA recovery team leader, Brigade S4, and North Korea recovery team leader in Central Identification Laboratory Hawaii, supply and services officer in 1st Special Forces Group, network management chief in the US Army School of Information Technology, telecommunications engineer in US Army Central, and network enterprise support team chief in 93d Strategic Signal Brigade.

His education includes a bachelor's degree in Business (Information Systems concentration) from Oregon State University, a master's degree in Telecommunications from the University of Colorado, and current, valid CISSP, CCSP, and CCNA information technology certifications.

LTC Thomson is happily married with 3 great children.

Thomson's awards and decorations include, among a variety of other service medals and ribbons:

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards)

Army Commendation Medal (3 awards)

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Army Achievement Medal (5 awards)

Honorable Order of Saint Martin (Quartermaster) regimental association award

Bronze Order of Mercury (Signal) regimental association award

Education

B.S., Oregon State University
Business Administration -- Management Information Systems

M.S., University of Colorado
Telecommunications

MSG Garry Galloway

Senior Military Science Instructor

Office: (804) 287-6069
E-mail
Millhiser Gym, Military Science

MSG Garry J. Galloway has served as the senior military instructor at the University of Richmond since Aug. 2009. He entered the Army Sept. 4, 1985 as an armor crewman. Galloway has held every position in the Armor field up to ISG to include all Master Gunner positions up to the brigade level, and most recently served as the commandant at the Master Gunner School. Galloway served in Iraq during Desert Strom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

MAJ Brian Bornick

Executive Officer/ APMS

Office: (804) 287-6065
804-289-8829 (FAX)
E-mail
Room 17 Milhiser Gym, Military Science

MAJ Brian Bornick received his commission and basic branch in 1991 as an engineer officer. After successfully completing his engineer advance course, Bornick branch transferred into Psychological Operations, serving in various positions and capacities in both reserve and active status. Bornick is currently a dual-track officer in the Functional Area 30 (FA30 - Information Operations) career field as well.

In addition to his role at the University of Richmond as an assistant professor of military science and executive officer, Bornick has served in a variety of command, staff, and leadership positions, including: engineer platoon leader, company executive officer, detachment commander, company commander, battalion maintenance officer, battalion intelligence officer, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer, Trans-Korean Pipeline petroleum support officer, psychological operations officer qualification course manager, and group operations officer. While serving as a Reserve officer, MAJ Bornick worked for Target, Inc. as an executive manager of Information Technologies at their corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, MN.

Awards

Bronze Star Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Army Commendation Medal (3 awards)

Army Achievement Medal (4 awards)

Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2 awards)

Global War on Terrorism Medal

National Defense Service Medal with Campaign Star

Army Service Ribbon

Overseas Service Ribbon

Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon

Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device

Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10-year device

Combat Action Badge

Mr. Stephan Ruppel-Lee

Assistant Professor of Military Science

Mr.Ruppel-Lee received his commission in 1998 through the Ohio University Army ROTC department.  His first assignment was with the 3rd Infantry Regiment “Old Guard” at Fort Myer VA where he was a rifle platoon leader and Executive Officer.  Mr.Ruppel-Lee moved on to “The Great Place,” Fort Hood, Texas where he was assigned to III Corps and the 1st Cavalry division.  He served as a Staff Officer and Company commander for B/3-8 CAV and HHC/3-8 CAV.  Mr.Ruppel-Lee’s most recent assignment was as an Observer Controller at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA.

Mr.Ruppel-Lee is a graduate of the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Infantry Captains’ Career Course, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Commanders Course, Airborne Course, and Ranger Course.  He has earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman badge, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge, and the German Troop Proficiency Badge (Gold Award).  He has been awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 awards), and the Army Achievement Medal (5 awards).  He is married to Sarah and they have two children Liesle and Jackson.

Mr. John Meche

Operations Officer

(804) 287-6068
(804) 289-8829 (FAX)
Email
Room 2 Millhiser Gym

Mr. John J. Meche serves as the operations officer for the University of Richmond and its partner schools through the Spider Battalion. Meche recieved his commission from the Louisiana State University Army ROTC program in 2008. Prior to ROTC, he was enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, New Orleans, La. Upon commissioning as a medical service officer (70B), Meche became ambulance platoon leader of the 756th Area Support Medical Company (ASMC), Carville, La.

Meche received his bachelor of science in natural resource management and is also a graduate of Medical Service Officer Basic Course. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Service Ribbon, USMC Good Conduct Medal, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, and two Army Achievement medals.

He is married to Elizabeth and they have two children, Victoria and Kaitlyn.

Awards

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Armed Service Ribbon

USMC Good Conduct Medal

Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal

Army Achievement Medal (2)

Mr. Cari Kelso

Recruiting Operations Officer

804-287-6066
Email

Mr. Cari Kelso has served as a contractor with COMTek assigned as the Recruiting Operations Officer for the University of Richmond and its partner schools (Hampden-Sydney College, Longwood University, Randolph-Macon College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Union University) since October of 2011. Mr. Kelso is a graduate from Old Dominion University.

Mr. Kelso is a Military Police officer and a First Lieutenant in the District of Columbia National Guard. He is currently a Plans Officer for 372nd Military Police Battalion in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Kelso has previously served as a training assistor with the Virginia Army National Guard's PTAE (Pre-mobilization Training and Assistance Element) team, the officer in charge of protective service details for the 336th Military Police Battalion while deployed in Iraq, as well as platoon leader and unit movement officer for the 229th Military Police Company. While enlisted he served as an MP (Military Police) and as a Simultaneous Membership Program Cadet with the 229th Military Police Company.

His education includes a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Military Leadership from Old Dominion University.

He was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia and currently resides in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Bronze Star Medal

Army Achievement Medal (5 awards)

National Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star

Army Service Ribbon

Overseas Service Ribbon

Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device

Virginia National Guard Governor's Service Medal

Mr. Daryl White

MSL II Instructor/ APMS

(804) 287-6612
Email
Room 5 Millhiser Gym

Mr.Daryl White graduated from North Carolina A&T in 2006 and went on received his commission in 2007 through the NC. Officer Candidate School. He served eight years as an enlisted soldier in the National Guard making the rank of staff sergeant. His first assignment as an officer was with the 105th Engineer Battalion (Combat) in Raeford, N.C., where he was a sapper line platoon leader and executive officer. White deployed twice with the 105th, first to Operation Iraqi Freedom as a enlisted sapper line soldier and second to Operation Enduring Freedom as a company level executive officer. He is currently in the North Carolina National Guard still assigned to the 105th EN BN. White is a graduate of the Engineer Officers Basic Course in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. He is married to Regina and they have two children Natalia and Kaydence.

Awards

Bronze Star

Army Commendation Medal (4 awards)

Army Achievement Medal (3 awards)

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device (2 awards)

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Mr. Robert H. Gains

Enlisted Instructor, VCU First Sergeant, U.S. Army

Office: (804) 827-4580
E-mail
3128 Harris Hall

Mr.Gains has served as a Military Science instructor since August, 2007.  He currently instructs MS II (sophomore) Class at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Mr.Gains, Robert H. entered the US Army 13 March 1984 as a 13B Field Artilleryman at Fort Sill, Oklahoma One Station Unit Training (OSUT). MSG Gains has served in the following positions; 8 Inch Howitzer Driver 3-5FABN Nurnburg Germany, Chief of Section in the following locations; 3-5 FABN Nurnburg Germany, 260th FA DET Fort Rucker Alabama, 2-2 ACR Howitzer Battery Bamberg Germany, Bravo Battery 2-13FABN Fort Stewart GA, Gunnery Sergeant Charlie Battery 2-13 FABN Fort Stewart GA, Drill Sergeant 3-13 INF BN Fort Jackson SC, Senior Instructor PLDC now WLC 8th Army NCOES Korea, Platoon Sergeant Bravo Battery 2-5 FABN Fort Sill Oklahoma, First Sergeant Charlie Battery 2-5 FABN Fort Sill Oklahoma, International Student Liaison at the United State Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) Fort Bliss TX, First Sergeant Course Instructor/writer at USASMA Fort Bliss TX, First Sergeant Course Senior Instructor USASMA Fort Bliss TX, Health Promotion NCOIC USASMA Fort Bliss TX.

Awards

DRV/MECH 2

KUKULIBM

SAKULIBM

GWTSM

SWASM

SWABS 3 STARS

NDSM 2

AGCM 7

AAM 7

ARCOM 5

MSM 2

BSM

Education

M.A., Webster University

Mr. Donald Freeman

Enlisted Instructor

Office: (804) 287-6067
E-mail
Room 5 Millhiser 

Mr.Donald Freeman entered the U.S. Army in Nov. 1981 as an 11B Infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga., One Station Unit Training (OSUT). Freeman has served in the following positions; team leader, Fort Ord, Calif.; squad leader, Camp Greaves, Korea; platoon sergeant, Fort Drum, N.Y.; drill sergeant, Fort Benning, Ga.; first sergeant, Fort Drum, N.Y. Freeman is a graduate of the Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course in Fort Benning, Ga. and received a master's of business administration (MBA) from Liberty University business school in 2006 and a bachelor of science from Columbia in 2003.

Education
M.B.A., Liberty University 2006 B.S., Columbia University 2003

SFC Stephen H. Vise II

Enlisted Instructor, National Guard Liaison, Virginia Commonwealth University

Office: (804) 828-5005
Fax: (804) 228-5177
E-mail
 

Sergeant First Class Stephen Vise has served as an Enlisted Instructor and National Guard Liaison since October 2008. Sergeant First Class Vise entered into the military service on 26 September 1996 in El Paso, TX. He holds Military Occupational Specialties of Infantryman (11B) and Recruiting and Retention NCO (79T). In addition he holds the Additional Skill Identifier (ASI) of Instructor.

Prior to joining the Spider Battalion ROTC program Sergeant First Class Vise worked at the Joint Forces Headquarters in the Recruiting and Retention Division in Richmond, VA.  Other previous assignments include: Squad Leader, 3/116th INF Regiment, Richmond, VA; Team Leader, 3/116th INF Regiment, Richmond, VA.

Sergeant First Class Vise is a graduate of the Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Infantry Advanced Individual Training, and the Recruiting and Retention Course.

Research:
Infantry
Recruiting and Retention
 

Education:
University of Phoenix
 

Awards:
 

Army Achievement Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Mrs. Lan Weidle

Human Resources Assistant

Office: (804) 287-6073
E-mail
 

Mrs. Weidle is the battalion's Human Resource Assistant, where she has expertly served UR cadets since 1998.  In 2005, she was selected as the best US Army ROTC Human Resource Assistant out of 272 in the nation and named the "Cadet Command Human Resource Assistant of the Year".  In 2003, she was selected as the Human Resource Assistant of the Year for the First Region, which at that time consisted of 108 ROTC Programs.

Mr. Daniel A. Nelson

Administrative Technician

Office: (804) 287-6072
E-mail
 

Mr. Daniel A. Nelson has served as the Administrative Technician for the University of Richmond ROTC department since October 2008.  Mr. Nelson has 4 years of Army active duty experience and 4 years of Army Reserve experience. His hobbies include motorcycling and rifle marksmanship.

Ms. Diane Magazine

VCU Administrative Coordinator, Military Science

Office: (804) 827-4579
Email