Team

Chain of Command

Cadet Battalion Commander - Grace Kirtley

• Cadet Grace Kirtley is a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying Law, History and Society. As the Battalion Commander, CDT Kirtley is responsible for everything that the Battalion does or fails to do.  

Cadet Sergeant Major - William Trantum

• Cadet William Trantum is a Senior at Belmont University studying nursing. CDT Trantum is responsible for supervising fitness, standards, discipline, doctrine, and training of the Cadets.

Cadet Executive Officer - John Haynes

• Cadet John Haynes is a Senior at Belmont University majoring in Liberal Studies. As the Executive Officer, CDT Haynes is responsible for the management of day-to-day activities and staff, freeing the commander to concentrate on strategy .

Cadet Company Commanders - Olivia Marco and Kaitlyn Williams

• Cadet Olivia Marco, Alpha Company Commander, is a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying Chinese and Puplic Policy. Cadet Kaitlyn Williams, Bravo Company Commander, is also a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying Medicine, Health, and Society. As Company Commanders, they are accountable and responsible for the training, discipline, administration, and overall welfare of their individual companies.  

Cadet Company Executive Officers - Jack Dyer and Triston Jensen

• Cadet Jack Dyer, Alpha Company Executive Officer, is a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying Russian. Cadet Triston Jensen, Bravo Executive Officer, is also a Senior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in HOD. As Company Executive officers, they are re ponsible for the management of day-to-day activities, freeing the commanders to concentrate on strategy .

Cadet First Sergeants - David Allen III and Matthew Bronikowski

• Cadet David Allen III, Alpha Company First Sergeant, is a Senior at Tennessee State University, studying Political Science and Criminal Justice. Cadet Matthew Bronikowski, Bravo First Sergeant, is a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying Computer Science. As Company First Sergeants, they are responsible  for developing the cadets. Ensuring the health, welfare, and morale of the companies. 

Cadet Company Operations NCOs - Khalil Kwok and Lukas Troost

• Cadet Khalil Kwok, Alpha Company OPs NCO, is a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying HOD. Cadet Lukas Troost, Bravo OPs NCO, is a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying HOD. As Company Operations NCOs, they are responsible for developing the cadets. They help ensure the training paths are properly developed and followed, as well as enforce stndards within the companies. 

Cadet S1 - Christian Brown

• Cadet Jayla Bell is a Senior at Lipscomb University, studying Biochemistry. As the S1, CDT Brown is the principal staff officer for personnel support. 

Cadet S2 - Thomas Trout

• Cadet Thomas Trout is a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying Secondary Education and History. As the S2, CDT Trout is  the unit's security officer.  

Cadet S3 Shop - Rais Nurhidajat, Bowman Talbot, and Andrew Hu.

• Cadet Rais Nurhidajat is a Senior at Vanderbilt University, studying Mechanical Engineering. Cadet Bowman Talbot is one of the Assistant S3s and he is a Senior at Vanderbilt University studying Political Science and History.  Cadet Andrew Hu is also an Assistant S3 and a senior at Vanderbilt University studying Math and Political Science.  As the S3 shop, these cadets are r esponsible for every aspect of the battalion's operations.  

Cadet S4 Shop - Marshall Redd and Harrison Tucker

• Cadet Marshall Redd is a Senior at Trevecca University, studying Criminal Justice and Behavioral Science. Cadet Harrison Tucker is the Assistant S4 and a Senior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in HOD and Economics. As the S4 Shop, CDT's Redd and Tucker are in charge of the supplies of the battalion. 

Cadet S5 - Ashley Mumford

• Cadet Ashley Mumford is a Senior at Belmont University, studying Nursing. As the S-5, CDT Mumford is in charge of recruiting and acts as the liaison between the battalion and Vanderbilt University for coordinating external events. 

Cadet S6 - Grace Scott

• Cadet Grace Scott is a Senior at Belmont University, studying Nursing. As the S-6, CDT Scott is in charge of running the battalion social media platforms, as well as maintaining outreach through the use of the Newsletter and website. 

Cadre and Staff

 

Professor of Military Science-Lieutenant Colonel Christine Kendzior

 

LTC Christine Kendzior commissioned in May 2005 from Loyola University Chicago as a Military Intelligence (MI) Officer with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (2003), a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (2003), and a Master of Arts in Political Science (2005). Upon graduating the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, she was assigned to 2-15 Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Drum, New York and deployed to Mahmudiyah, Iraq in 2006.

Upon her return to Fort Drum, she attended the Military Intelligence Captain’s Career Course and was reassigned to 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia where she served and deployed as a Brigade Assistant S2, followed by Military Intelligence CompanyCommander to Kalsu, Iraq in 2009. 

After command, she served as the Deputy Analysis and Control Element for US Army Central Command (USARCENT), providing intelligence support to the Central Command Area of Operations. She then served as a Military Intelligence Assignment Officer at Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky providing mentorship to Military Intelligence Captains on career progression. In 2015 she graduated the Command and General Staff Officer Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and was assigned to US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 2016 she was assigned to 525 Military Intelligence Brigade, where she served as a Battalion Operations Officer and as the Brigade Executive Officer both in garrison and forward deployed to Afghanistan in 2017 and 2018. In her last positions, she served as the Deputy G2 for 1st Special Forces Command and as the G2 Operations and Plans Chief for XVIII Airborne Corps. Most recently, she redeployed from Germany in May 2022 aftersupporting Contingency Response Force requirements with XVIII Airborne Corps.

Her awards and decorations includes the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.

She is married to David A. Kendzior of Rochester, NY. They live together in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

Assistant Professor of Military Science-Major Jermaine Denny

MAJ Jermaine Denny commissioned United States Army Reserve (USAR) in December 2006 from University of Louisville as an Adjutant General (AG) Officer with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration and a Master of Art’s in Human Resources Management. Upon graduating the AG Basic Officer Leader Course, he was assigned to the 100th Division (OS) and served as a Human Resources Officer in the G1.

MAJ Denny was mobilized as the Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) Program Division Coordinator from 2007-2009 where he scheduled and executed the completion of behavioral health assessments for Division Soldiers returning from deployment. He was later moved into the position of Lead Coordinator and managed the program for the entire USAR from 2009-2011.

Upon completion of the mobilization, he served as Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander of the 157th Infantry Brigade, Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He later served as the Brigade S1 prior to leaving Indiana for Captains Career Course (CCC) at Fort Jackson, SC.

After CCC, he served as Course Manager for the Army Reserve Civilian Entry Training (ARCET), Physical Security, and Security Manager’s courses at the 83rd U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Training Center (ARRTC), Fort Knox, Kentucky. He later served again as a Brigade S1 at the 83rd U.S. ARRTC.

Upon completion of his assignment at the ARRTC, MAJ Denny served at U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) in Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Career Manager for Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and Individual Moblization Augmentees (IMA) MI, MP, AG, FI and Joint Duty Assignment List (JDAL) Officers.

MAJ Denny’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Superior Unit Award.

MAJ Denny is married to Lindsay Denny of Islip, NY. They have three children together, Cameron (9), and twins Eli (5) and Braxton (5).

Military Science Instructor-Lieutenant Jarrod Jones

1LT Jarrod Jones was commissioned into Active Duty in December 2019 from The United States Military Academy at West Point as an Armor Officer (AR) with a Bachelor of Science in Law and Legal Studies. Upon graduating from the Armor Officers Basic Officer Leader Course, he was assigned to 3-89 CAV, 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain and served as a Platoon Leader for Bravo Troop, 1st Platoon.

While at Fort Polk Lieutenant Jones served as an assistant operations officer and Platoon Leader responsible for helping plan, resource, and execute training events for his squadron. As an AS3, 1LT Jones deployed to the Joint Readiness Training Center for 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain’s redeployment rotation.

As a Platoon Leader, 1LT Jones conducted Gunnery, TOW Missile Ranges, Section Live Fires, Team level Certifications, and a Joint Readiness Training Center rotations as OPOFOR to compete, prepare, and assess other units on combat operations before deploying.

Upon completion of his assignment at Vanderbilt AROTC, 1LT Jones will leave for Maneuver Captains Career Course (CCC) at Fort Benning, GA.

1LT Jones’ awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Air Assault Badge, and the Basic Army Instructor Badge.

Military Science Instructor- Sergeant First Class Obie Carswell

Sergeant First Class Obie C. Carswell is a Military Science Instructor and Operations Sergeant for Vanderbilt University Army ROTC. 

Sergeant First Class Carswell is from Morganton, North Carolina and entered the United States Army on 06 July 2006. He completed One Station Unit Training as a 12B, Combat Engineer, at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. 

Sergeant First Class Carswell’s assignments include the following: Platoon Sergeant, Bravo Company, 39th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Fort Campbell, KY; Operations Sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 39th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Fort Campbell, KY; Squad Leader, Bravo Company, 39th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Fort Campbell, KY; Drill Sergeant, Alpha Company, 43rd Adjutant General Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Drill Sergeant, Charlie Company, 35th Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Drill Sergeant, Delta Company, 787th Military Police Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Squad Leader, 62ndSapper Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, Ft Carson, CO; Team Leader, 62nd Sapper Company, Ft Carson, CO; Driver, 569th Engineer Company, Ft Carson, CO.  

Sergeant First Class Carswell has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and New Dawn. 

Sergeant First Class Carswell has completed numerous military schools and courses includingthe Master Educators Course, Common Faculty Development – Instructor Course, Equal Opportunity Leader Course, Sapper Leaders Course, Urban Mobility Breacher Course, United States Army Drill Sergeant School, Air Assault School, and Rappel Master. His Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Education includes Combat Engineer Senior Leaders Course, Combat Engineer Basic Leader Course, and Warrior Leaders Course. Sergeant First Class Carswell has earned certificates from Western Kentucky University in OrganizationalLeadership, and Interactive Training Design.

His awards and decorations include the Naval and Marine Corp Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drivers Badge (wheeled), and Valorous Unit Award.

Sergeant First Class Carswell is married to his wife Christina and they have four children.  

 

Mr. John Bautch

Mr. John Bautch is currently serving as the Scholarship & Enrollment Officer/Recruiting Operations Officer for Vanderbilt University AROTC, he can be reached by phone at (615) 343-7616 office, (615) 389-3247 cell or by email at  john.bautch@vanderbilt .edu.

 Mr. Bautch joined the “Go Gold” Battalion in March of 2020 after serving for nearly seven years as the Recruiting Operations Officer for the “Blue Raider” Battalion at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.  Mr. Bautch has been with Cadet Command for over fifteen years as a Recruiting Operations Officer in government contractor and Department of the Army Civilian capacities.   After receiving his commission through Army ROTC at Fitchburg State University, he served as a Medical Service Corps officer on active and reserve duty for twenty-seven and a half years. During his career, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC).  He retired from uniformed service in January 2012.  Mr. Bautch’s total time in service to the Department of Defense and the US Army proudly spans over forty years.

Mr. Bautch’s duty positions include roles as a Battalion Commander, Brigade Executive Officer, Senior Staff Officer, Military Instructor, Company Commander, and Platoon Leader. Mr. Bautch served with distinction with the 82^nd Airborne Division, Ft, Bragg, NC, 2d Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea, the 2d Armored Division, Ft Hood, TX, and 2d Army, Ft Jackson, SC. 

Mr. Bautch is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the AMEDD Center and School Basic and Advance Courses, Master Fitness Trainer Course, and US Army Airborne School.  Mr. Bautch earned his Masters of Arts in Management from Webster University and his Bachelor’s degree in English (Cum Laude) from Fitchburg State University.

Mr. Bautch’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Army Achievement Medal (two awards), National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, the NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (three awards), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device (two awards), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (two awards), Expert Field Medical Badge and Master Parachutist Badge.

 

Mr. Darrell Thompson

Mr. Darrell Thompson is currently serving as the Human Resource Technician for Vanderbilt University AROTC, he can be reached by phone at (615) 343-7616 office, (615) 389-3247 cell or by email at darrell.thompson@vanderbilt.edu.

Mr. Thompson joined the “Go Gold” Battalion in May of 2018 after serving as the Marketing and Advertising Manager for 7th Brigade Army ROTC HQ.  Mr. Thompson has been with cadet Command for ten years since his retirement from active duty (US Army) with 21 years of service to his country. During his career, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant (MSG). 

Mr. Thompson’s duty positions while on active duty included: Senior Military Science Instructor, Army ROTC (Tennessee Tech University), Platoon Sergeant, US Army Recruiter, TOW Anti-Tank Missile crew instructor, Equal Opportunity Officer, TOW Master Gunner Course Instructor, Squad Leader, and Track Vehicle Operator. Mr. Thompson’s assignments included 1/327th IN, and 1/502nd IN, Fort Campbell, KY, 2/29th IN, Fort Benning, GA, 1/503rd IN, Camp Casey Korea, 1/15th IN, Kitzingen, Germany, Iraq and Wichita, KS. 

Mr. Thompson, is a graduate of the Recruiting Operations Officers Course, Human Resources Assistant course, Advanced NCO Course, Equal Opportunity course, US Army Recruiting/Retention course, Basic NCO Course, Primary Leader Development course, TOW master Gunner course, Instructor Trainer Course, Master Fitness Course, US Army Airborne School, and US Army Air Assault School.  Mr. Thompson is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a Bachelor’s degree in education.  He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Organizational Development and Leadership.  

Mr. Thompson has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Recruiter Ring; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) and earned the Expert Infantry Badge (EIB).

Mr. Thompson’s Civilian awards include the 2014 Brigade Civilian of the Year and the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.

Mr. Robert Hulette

Mr. Hulette is a native of Franklin, TN, and has held a Commission in the Medical Service Corps,  U.S. Army Reserve for the past 16 years. He is a graduate of Montgomery Bell Academy, and has degrees in both Biological Science and Environmental Policy from the University of Tulsa and attend graduate schools in Public Health and Epidemiology at the George Washington University, and completed his Master of Business Administration from Columbia Southern University. He is Board-certified in Biological Safety Microbiology, is a Registered Sanitarian, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Project Management, as well as being a FEMA-Certified Continuity of Operations Planner and Advanced EMT. He completed the ISDA/Johns Hopkins Infection Control Fellowship and was a Volunteer Research Fellow in Microbial Ecology at the NIH.

He began his military career as a Field Medical Officer for the 429th MEDEVAC BN in Savannah Georgia, and then on the Brigade Special Staff of the 332nd Medical BDE. He then took command of the 452nd PM Detachment (ENTO) in Perrine, FL leading its activities through hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Mr. Hulette was then selected as a special projects officer to stand-up the Southeast Medical Area Readiness Support Group (SE-MARSG), the first unit of its kind. After the stand-up of the unit was complete, Mr. Hulette Served as the Commander, HHD, SE-MARSG. 

Mr. Hulette was then assigned as a staff epidemiologist at the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center in Silver Spring, MD working on both global infectious disease and mental health problems for the Department of Defense. 

Following this assignment, Mr. Hulette was assigned to Support Operations for U.S. Army Public Health Command, at APG, MD where he was the Global Continuity of Operations Planner for all Army Public Health Operations.

Mr. Hulette is presently assigned as OIC, CTAC3 for the USAR Consequence Management Unit, part of the DoD's primary response to any CBRNE incident Worldwide.

Mr. Hulette has served in Ecuador, Korea, Canada, and the UK and is a graduate of numerous military schools including the Military History Instructor Course, the Medical Care for Chemical and Biological Casualties course, the Continuity of Operations train-the-trainer course, Introduction to Medical Intelligence Course, Introduction to Military Preventive Medicine Course, the Diseases of Military Importance Course, The Unit Safety Management Course, The Deployment Occupational and Environmental Health Surveillance Course, The Military Operations Other Than War course (MOOTW), the Junior Officer Leadership Development Training Seminar, Risk Communication Course, the Environmental Officer Course, the Company/Detachment Pre-command course, AMEDD Officer Basic Course, and holds a basic Nuclear weapons certification and an incident management certification, as well as numerous other courses

His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), The Army Achievement Medal (1OLC) The Military Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Medal, and 6 ODT ribbons as well as others, and has received two citations form the Army of the Republic of Korea and one from the Republic of Ecuador.

As a civilian Mr Hulette has worked in corporate, government, and consulting contexts primarily in healthcare and R&D. He holds academic appointments at Vanderbilt and Meharry Medical College and has published numerous academic articles.

Mr. Bruce D. Bradley

Mr.  Bradley is currently serving as the Supply Technician for Vanderbilt AROTC. He can be reached by phone at (615) 322-8556, or by email at   bruce.d.bradley@vanderbilt.edu

His previous assignments include Logistics Management Specialist, Logistics Management Specialist (Ammo), and Squad Leader, C Company, 1st Battalion, 3d US Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard (TOG). 

Mr. Bradley is a graduate from Ammo Hazmat Course, Six Sigma, Advance Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer's Course, Unit Supply Specialist Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Leadership Development Course, Airborne School, Jungle Survival Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Infantry Combat Basic Course. 

Additionally, he graduated with an Associate's Degree in Business from Calhoun College, and a Bachelor's Degree in Management Information Systems from Columbia College, Columbia MO.

Mr. Kenneth Walden

Mr. Kenneth W. Walden is currently serving as the Administrative Assistant for Vanderbilt AROTC. He can be reached by phone at (615) 322-8550, or by email at kenneth.w.walden@vanderbilt.edu

Mr. Walden joined the “Go Gold” Battalion as an Administrative Assistant in March of 1997 after his retirement from active duty military with 22 years of service to his country. During his career, he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). 

He began his career in the Army as an enlisted Soldier in the branch of Field Artillery and after his initial enlistment changed his branch to administration. SFC Walden entered the Army in 1975. He attended Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  

SFC Walden's assignments include Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; United States Army Detachment, Izmir, Turkey; Headquarters and Headquarters Company Division Support Command, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Headquarters Company, 8th United States Army, Yongsan, Korea; 86th Evacuation Hospital, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; United States Army MEDDAC, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 23rd Area Support Group, Camp Humphreys, Korea, and Vanderbilt University Army ROTC Detachment, Nashville, Tennessee.    

His military schooling includes the Inspector General Orientation Course; Advanced Noncommissioned Officer's Course; Senior Leadership Refresher Course; Primary Leadership Development Course; Battalion Training Management Course; SIDPERS Unit Level Training Course and Field Artillery Basic Course.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal 8th Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Good Conduct Medal 7th Award.Mr. Kenneth Walde