LTC Micheal Swinson

Professor of Military Science

LTC Micheal C. Swinson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1990. He served on active duty from 1990-1992, with assignments in the Republic of Korea and 1/509 Parachute Infantry Regiment (OPFOR) Joint Readiness Training Center. After his enlisted commitment he attended East Carolina University. He was commissioned Regular Army in 1996 in the Military Intelligence Corps. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University and later received a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College. After his commissioning, 2LT Swinson was assigned to Ft. Bragg, NC where he served in a variety of assignments including; Battalion S2 327^th Signal Battalion (AIRBORNE); Executive Officer for Headquarters Company, 319^th Military Intelligence Battalion (AIRBORNE) and Tactical Intelligence Officer 1/505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 82^nd Airborne Division.  Following the Armor Officer Advanced course, then Captain Swinson was assigned to Ft Hood, TX. While at Ft. Hood CPT Swinson served as Assistant Brigade S2 for 3^rd (GREYWOLF) Brigade, 1^st Cavalry Division; Battalion S2 for 1^st Battalion (HEADHUNTERS) 9^th Cavalry Regiment. He later served as 1^st Cavalry Division G2 Assistant Operations Officer. During this assignment he deployed to OIF II with the 1^st Cavalry Division. He commanded Charlie Company, 312^th Military Intelligence Battalion and later Alpha Company, 3^rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion. From Ft. Hood he was assigned to the Joint Readiness Training Center where he served as the Senior Intelligence Planner for the Operations Group. Later he attended the U.S. Naval War College, College of Command and Staff. After graduation from the NWC in 2009, Major Swinson was assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command. Here he served as a Troop Commander and Squadron Executive Officer for the Joint Exploitation Squadron, JSOC Intelligence Brigade.  While assigned to JSOC MAJ Swinson had operational assignments in Afghanistan and Yemen in support of a Joint Task Force. MAJ Swinson has completed Military Intelligence Officer’s Basic course, Armor Captain’s Career Course, 82^nd Airborne Division Jumpmaster School, M1A2 Tank Commanders Certification Course, US Naval Command and Staff School, SERE (High Risk) among others.MAJ Swinson’s awards and decorations include; Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 Bronze Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 2 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 Bronze Stars, Korean Defense Service Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Canadian and German parachute badges. He is married to Victoria Swinson and has two daughters, Miranda and Virginia. LTC Swinson and his family live near Missoula, Montana.

MSG Travis Hambrick
Senior Military Advisor & MS III Advisor

MSG Travis Hambrick is a Montana native and a 1992 graduate of Stevensville High School in Stevensville, Montana. He entered military service immediately following high school as an enlisted Infantryman with the Ranger option; and attended One Station Unit Training, Airborne, and the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, GA.  MSG Hambrick has had a very diverse and unconventional military career as an Infantryman with numerous years of service within the United States Army Special Operations Command. Past assignments include duty with 2/75^th Ranger Battalion, Ft. Lewis, WA; HHC 75^th Ranger Regiment, Ranger Reconnaissance Detachment, Ft. Benning, GA; and the United States Army Office of Military Support, Washington DC.  Since May 2012 he has been assigned as the Senior Military Instructor at the University of Montana’s Military Science and Leadership Department. MSG Hambrick gained vast leadership experience while serving in numerous operational deployments in support of Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti; Operation Safe Haven, Panama; Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo; Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq.  He has successfully completed all NCO levels of leadership development to include the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.  In 1995 MSG Hambrick married his hometown sweetheart Dawn; who is the Graduate Programs Coordinator at the School of Business Administration, University of Montana. They have two children a son Cody and a daughter Samantha; both currently attend Stevensville High School.  Awards include: Bronze Star Medal (3^rd award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2^ndaward), Meritorious Service Medal (2^nd award), Army Commendation Medal (3^rd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2^nd award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award,  Valorous Unit Award (2^nd award), Army Good Conduct Medal (6^th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal (2^ndaward), Afghanistan Campaign Medal – Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal – Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (4^th Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Bar (3^rd award), Ranger Tab, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge – Jumpmaster,  Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and  Expert Infantryman’s Badge.

MAJ Thomas Luhrsen
Executive Officer & MS I Advisor

MAJ Thomas R. Luhrsen is a 1990 graduate of Fergus High School in Lewistown, Montana. He graduated as the Army ROTC graduate from Montana State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education-Sports Medicine. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational and Business Security Management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Entered service into the National Guard in 1993 and commissioned in 1995 into the Montana Army National Guard as an Armor Officer, he has served in leadership and staff positions from platoon through battalion level. In 2002, he deployed to Bosnia, commanding a mechanized infantry team as part of the 1-14 IN BN.  In 2004, he deployed as part of the 1-163^rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MTARNG) to Hawija, Iraq.  MAJ Luhrsen deployed again as the Operations Officer/Deputy Provost Marshal of the 143^rd Military Police DET (L&O) to Victory Base, Baghdad, Iraq in 2009 where he also served as the Chief of Police in Bagdad, Iraq and worked closely with the US Embassy and the Joint Area Support Group Commander.   MAJ Luhrsen is branch qualified in Armor, Infantry and Military Police.  Awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge. MAJ Luhrsen is married to the former Kristina Bouldin of Belgrade, MT. They have three children: Selena, Evan, and Keeley.

CPT Tracy A. Mitchell
Enrollment Officer 

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.  They have two children: Teagan and Fergus.

MAJ Dana Barnicoat
Officer in Charge (OIC), Carroll College, Helena, MT

MAJ Barnicoat was born in Butte, MT on 24 January 1968.  He grew up in Great Falls, MT and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1986.  He joined the Navy in 1987 where he spent four years working active duty completing tours in the Persian Gulf and Diego Garcia before switching to the Navy reserves from 1991-1994.  After switching branches, he spent time working for the Montana Army National Guard for Counter Drug Operations and the National Guard Bureau.  He graduated from Carroll College in 1996 with a B.A. in sociology and later received his master’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle in 2002.  He commissioned in 1999 and held a variety of positions in the National Guard including commander of the 103^rd Public Affairs Detachment who he deployed with to Iraq in 2010.  Before joining the Saints Company as the APMS, CPT Barnicoat worked as the Officer Strength Manager for the Montana Army National Guard.  CPT Barnicoat is married to his wife Georgia and has two children, a boy and a girl.

MSG Galen Bisel
Training NCO & MS II Advisor

MSG Galen D. Bisel Jr., a native Pennsylvanian, enlisted in the Army in December of  1998 as an Infantryman. He has spent his career with the 1^st Infantry Division, 25^th Infantry Division, and 101st Airborne  Division.  He has served in various levels of leadership from Team Leader through First Sergeant.   His deployments include combat tours to Bosnia Herzegovina (2002), Iraq (2004-2005 & 2007-2009), and Afghanistan (2010-2011).  His military education includes Combat Life Saver’s Course, Combatives Level I&II, Air Assault, Airborne, Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leaders Course, and Senior Leaders Course. Sergeant First Class Bisel’s  awards include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal (3^rd Award), Army Achievement Medal (6th award), Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2^nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal – Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal –Four  Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3^rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (6^th Award), NATO Medal (2), Meritorious Unit Commendation with oak leaf, Valorous Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and  Expert Infantryman’s Badge.

SFC Lawrence DeBoo
NCOIC, Carroll College

SFC DeBoo was born in Browning, MT on November 2^nd 1980.  He grew up in Dupuyer, MT and attended high school in Valier, MT.  He graduated High School in May of 1999, joined the Montana Army National Guard on November 29^th of 1999.  SFC DeBoo shipped to Basic Combat Training January of 2000 and completed One Station Unit Training at Ft. Benning Georgia Infantry School in May of 2000.  He has deployed twice as an Infantry soldier to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2001 and Iraq in 2004.  After returning from Iraq in 2005 he was a recruiter for the MT Army National Guard in Bozeman before joining the Saints Company in 2011.  SFC DeBoo is married to his wife Kari and has two children: a boy and a girl.

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 with the 1/12 Cav Division 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 Pre-Combat Dive Instructor for the University of Montana ROTC. Rick and his wife have two daughters. He enjoys hunting, fishing, boating wood working, shooting, and swimming.

Mr. Joseph DeCree

Training Officer & MS II Advisor

Joseph DeCree was commissioned through ROTC in 1987 as an active duty Infantry officer. Following Infantry OBC he attended Airborne and Ranger school. From Fort Benning he was assigned to the 5/5 Cavalry in Germany. He commanded two Bradley Rifle platoons and a scout platoon. After watching the Berlin Wall come down he moved to the National Guard. He commanded two Military Police Companies. After getting married he joined C Co, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). During his period in Special Operations he attended Special Forces and language school (for French), and then took the first National Guard Special Forces team to Kosovo. Following his return from Kosovo, he took the first Special Forces team into Kunar province on the tail end of Operation Anaconda in 2002. Upon returning to the states he took an ROTC assignment at Millersville University in Lancaster Pa. While serving in this capacity he simultaneously was appointed as the first S2X for the 56th Infantry (PAARNG) as they transitioned to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Although retiring from this unit he was very proud of having trained the Tactical HUMINT Collection Team which performed very well for the BDE in Iraq. He also served as the FOB Commander in Hammond Louisiana as part of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in 2005. He retired in 2006 after 20 plus years of service in the active duty and National Guard components. He credits his extensive command time as having prepared him for private business both as an owner / operator and as a government consultant especially in areas of leadership and group dynamics. Joe moved to Montana in 2011 and lives in Whitefish with his wife Erika.

Mr. Caleb Oman, MSI instructor

Caleb Oman began his military career as a cadet at the University of Montana ROTC. During his time as a cadet he attended training opportunities such as Air Assault School, Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT) in Wurzburg, Germany, and the Robin Sage training exercise for Special Forces Qualification Course. He commissioned in May, 2006 as an active duty Military Police officer. For his first assignment he served on the Combatives/APFT committee at Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), where he was certified in Level II Army Combatives. He then attended Military Police Officer Basic Course and following that attended and graduated from Ranger School. He was then assigned to the 230^th Military Police Company in Kaiserslautern, Germany, where he served as a Law Enforcement Platoon Leader until he was deployed to Iraq as a Police Transition Team Platoon Leader in December, 2007. From December, 2007 until March, 2009 his platoon worked with an Iraqi Police District within Babil Province, Iraq. He conducted training, mentorship and assessment of the Iraqi Police and regularly performed joint operations with the Iraqi Police. Upon redeployment to Germany he was assigned as the XO of his company until he left active duty in June, 2010.

Ms. Susan Cundiff
Administrative Associate

Susan Cundiff graduated from James Wood High School in Winchester, VA and obtained her Bachelor of Arts as well as Graduate Studies in Communication Studies from the University of Montana. She spent time in the UM ROTC program and 3669th Maintenance Co in Missoula, MT. Prior to her position as the Military Science Administrative Associate, she taught Public Speaking, Intercultural Communication, and beginning Spanish at the community college level.

Yvonne Kunz
Administrative Associate, Carroll College

SFC Joseph Schleining 
Montana Army National Guard Recruiter

SFC Joe Schleining joined the army National Guard in Dec of 2001 in Belgrade Montana where he served in the 1-163^rd INF BN. He later served in the 116^th Artillery in Tampa, FL before deploying to Iraq in 2003 with the Montana Army National Guard in support of OIF three. He has served as a battalion career counselor for the 190th CSSB proudly before returning to recruiting in 2011. He serves as our University of Montana Army National Guard recruiter and Army National guard liaison.  Any questions concerning enlistment in the Army National Guard please call him at 406-850-3337.