ARMY ROTC
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 Ted PreisterProfessor of Military SciencePhone: (701) 231-7575 LTC Ted M. Preister was assigned as Professor of Military Science at North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, in August of 2013. Immediately prior to that assignment, he was assigned to the Joint Interagency Task Force - South (JIATFS) in Key West, Fl, where he served as the Collection Manager/GEOINT Chief and subsequently moved to be the Intelligence Operations Chief. As such, he was responsible for planning and reviewing all efforts by JIATFS single source analysts in support of the Command's Detection and Monitoring mission. He was also responsible for refining and improving the entire Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) process. From May 2008 to August 2010, then MAJ Preister served as the Brigade Intelligence Officer for the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO. He built an IBCT intelligence section from a small core during the training cycle before deploying to Afghanistan for OEF-X. In Afghanistan he was responsible for the entire spectrum of intelligence activities in the provinces of Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar and Laghman (N2KL) in Afghanistan and operated what was widely recognized as the most effective BCT "Fusion Cell" in theater at the time. As a Captain from March 2004 through June 2007, he served as the Intelligence Instructor for the US Army Infantry School at Fort Benning GA. Responsible for refining and delivering intelligence curricula of the Officer Candidate School, Basic Officer Leader Course and Maneuver Captain's Career Course. He was responsible for actively integrating real world examples and anecdotes to build relevance for the Company Grade officers/students who would soon deploy globally. Prior to his time in GA he served as an Infantry Battalion Intelligence Officer, Assistant Brigade Intelligence Officer and Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander in the 4500 man 2nd Brigade, 1st AD, Baumholder, Germany from August 2001 to February 2004. He was responsible for all source support to tactical/operational intelligence planning and operations at multiple levels before being selected to lead the Brigade Headquarters Company and deploy to Iraq for OIF-I. As a Lieutenant from March 1996 through March 1999 he served as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Battalion Logistics Officer in the 1st Battalion 27th Infantry, at Schofield Barracks, HI. He was responsible for the training and employment of all men and systems in a 34 man platoon and subsequently all budgeting, logistics and transportation requirements for the 520 man battalion. Education Awards |
 | CPT Ryan SchulzAssociate Professor of Military SciencePhone: (701) 231-7583 Captain Ryan Andrew Schulz attended Bismarck High School in Bismarck, ND graduating in May of 2002, upon completion he joined the North Dakota National Guard and attended Basic Training and AIT in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Captain Schulz then attended North Dakota State University where he studied Physical Education and minored in coaching. While attending he completed ROTC training through North Dakota State University, graduating and receiving his commission on May 9h 2008. 1st Lieutenant Schulz serves in the Army National Guard through which he attended the Engineer Officer Basic Course in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Captain Ryan Schulz is currently in the MEB Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in the North Dakota Army National Guard and is also an Assistance Professor of Military Science at North Dakota State University. Captain Schulz's previous assignment was serving as the Detachment Commander of the 188th Engineer Company (v). While serving in the 188th EN CO (v) he deployed to Kuwait in Operation of Enduring Freedom from Aug 2011 to 2012. Capt. Schulz started his military career as an enlisted member in the 957th Multi Role Bridge Company out of Bismarck, ND with the North Dakota Army National Guard. |
 | Mr. Ronald JoyceEnrollment OfficerPhone: 701-730-6989 Mr. Ron Joyce Enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard Feb 1985 as a college student, played division two football and participated in two national championship football playoffs. Ron was a Tri-Captain his senior year and played as a defensive back while in college. Ron declined offers to sign with and play for different USFL and NFL teams. In 1989, Ron graduated from the Minnesota Military Academy, Officer Candidate School and commissioned in 1990 as an Infantry Officer. Ron has held positions of Infantry Platoon Leader, 2nd BN 136th (M) IN Delta Company, Detroit Lakes MN; HHC Executive Officer, (XO), 2nd BN 136th IN, Moorhead, MN; and Company Charlie (C), XO, 2nd BN 136th IN BN, Bemidji, MN. He was 2nd BN 136th IN Co C Commander (CO), Bemidji, MN; Sr. Tactical Officer, MN OCS, 175th RTI, Camp Ripley, MN; 2nd BN 136th IN battalion Motor Officer, Moorhead, MN; 2nd BN 136th IN S-3 Air, Moorhead, MN; 34 IN Division, 1st Brigade (BDE) IN, S-3 assistant, Still Water, MN; 84th Troop Command S-3 assistant and 84th Troop Command S-2 Roseville, MN; FA30 G-7 assistant with 34th IN Division IO, Rosemount, MN; and currently the 175th Regiment (RTI) S-1 Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN. Mr. Joyce currently is in the MN Army National Guard. Ron has attended the Infantry Officers basic and advance courses, along with the Combined Arms Staff Service School (CASS3), Command General Staff College (ILE), and is a FA30 Information Operations Functional Area trained expert. As of Sept 2000, Ron has been a contractor for the Department of Defense through MPRI, Comtechnologies, and The Ventura Group for the Army ROTC at NDSU. Mr. Joyce has Deployed 18 month to Afghanistan Feb 06 to July 07, Embedded Tactical Trainer 207th Corp as an Infantry Major with duties as a BN XO and S-3. Ron has also deployed to Iraq 17 months, Dec 2008 to April 2010 as a Division IO G-5 planner in the rank of Major. Currently, Mr. Joyce is the Enrollment Counselor at the NDSU Army ROTC. Ron has participated in many different training missions with the Minnesota Army National Guard serving at Ft. Riley KS, War fighter; Ft. Leavenworth KS, multiple Simnet trainings; Ft. Knox, KY, and Ft. Hood, TX. In 1996, Combined Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) Hoenfels Germany, he served as OPFOR during rotations for Bosnia and in 2011 served a NATO training mission with the 34th Infantry Division in Graphenver, Germany as the 34th IN Division G-7. Ron has achieved numerous military and civilian awards. |
 | MSG Jarrett HalversonMilitary InstructorMaster Sergeant Jarrett Halverson was assigned as Senior Military Instructor at North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, in February 2016. Immediately prior to that assignment, he served as First Sergeant from November 2012 to November 2015 for several units within the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY; Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Brigade Combat Team, HHC 1-32 Infantry (Light), Alpha Company, 1-32 Infantry (Light) and Delta Company (Weapons), 2-22 Infantry (Light). As the First Sergeant, his primary role was supervising the day to day operation of the company and advising the company commander in all matters of Soldier discipline, training, development, welfare as well as the welfare of their families. He deployed to Regional Command East, Afghanistan with Alpha Company 1-32 IN. MSG Halverson is the son of an Air Force Master Sergeant (retired) and was born in Fargo, ND. He has lived in Duluth, MN, Clark Air Force Base, Philippine Islands and Grand Forks, ND before his family settled in Antelope, CA. He enlisted in the Army in May 1991, as an Infantryman and completed One Station Unit training at Fort Benning, GA. From October 1991 to November 1995 he was assigned to Delta Company 4-6 Infantry (Mechanized), Fort Polk, LA, and Delta Company, 1-8 Infantry (Mechanized), Fort Carson, CO where he served in various developmental infantry positions such as RTO, rifleman, Bradley driver, Bradley gunner and automatic rifleman. From November 1995 to December 1998, then Sergeant Halverson, was assigned as a recruiter to the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion with duty in Sierra Vista, AZ. SFrom December 1998 to May 2002 he served as a Rifle Squad Leader and Weapons Squad Leader for Bravo Company, 1-23 IN and Bradley Section Leader for Alpha Company, 2-9 Infantry (Mechanized), Camp Casey, Korea. As a squad and section leader he was primarily responsible for the tactical employment of his Soldiers and weapon systems. While assigned to 1-23 IN, his battalion was the first in the Army to field the new Stryker vehicle. He served as an Observer-Controller/Trainer (O/C-T) and Operations NCO for 1-314 Infantry (Training Support Battalion), 1st Army, Fort Drum, NY. As an O/C-T he conducted mobilization training at Fort Dix, NJ; Fort Stewart, GA and for Army Reserve and National Guard units preparing to deploy in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He deployed with Military Transition Team (MiTT) 0243, 1st Infantry Division and was embedded with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division in Mosul, Iraq. He served as the team NCOIC and was the principle advisor to the Iraqi Army Battalion Command Sergeant Major, the S2 NCOIC and the S3 NCOIC. As a Sergeant First Class, he held several positions. He served as Platoon Sergeant for Charlie Company, 2-22 Infantry (Light), Golf Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized), Fort Irwin, CA and Bravo Company 1-23 Infantry (Stryker), Fort Lewis, WA. He assisted the Platoon Leader with operational planning and worked closely with the First Sergeant for resupply and casualty evacuation plans. As a platoon sergeant, he deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan with Charlie Company 2-22 IN. From September 2011 to November 2012, MSG Halverson served as the Equal Opportunity Advisor for 1st BCT, 10th Mountain Division. In this capacity he was the principle advisor to the brigade commander in all matters of equal opportunity, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Some of his decorations and awards include the Bronze Star Medal with two subsequent awards, Meritorious Service Medal with subsequent award, Army Commendation Medal with four subsequent awards, Army Achievement Medal with five subsequent awards, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Gold Recruiter Badge with three subsequent awards. MSG is a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course (Commandant’s List), Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course (Honor Graduate), Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, and First Sergeant Course. His other military schools include Recruiter, Air Assault, Battle Staff, and Equal Opportunity Advisor. He has earned an Associates of Arts degree from Pierce Community College and is pursuing a degree in education. He has two grown children, Amber of Williamsville, NY and Bradley, a graduate student at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. |
 | Mrs. Ruth WirtzAdmin SecretaryPhone: (701) 231-7575 Ruth Anne Wirtz attended Ada-Borup High School graduating in 1996. On April 30, 1997 she joined the US Army and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, VA, where she was trained as an Automated Logistical Supply Specialist. Ruth was assigned to the 320th Engineer Company (Topographic) in Hanau, Germany from October 1997 – April 2001 where she was a Supply Specialist and Combat Lifesaver. After 4 years of Active Duty, Ruth came back to the United States and joined the Minnesota Army National Guard. She was as a Supply Specialist and New Recruit Instructor in Alpha Company, 434th Main Support Battalion at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. She also served as an Ammunition Supply Specialist for 4 years during the summer months. In December 2005, Ruth was Honorable Discharged from the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Specialist. Ruth’s awards include Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Minnesota National Guard Commendation Medal, Minnesota National Guard Good Conduct Medal, Minnesota National Guard Service Medal. In May 2006, Ruth graduated from NDSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. While attending college she was an officer in the Criminal Justice Club, a member of the Psychology Club, attended ROTC classes, and played Rugby. |
 | Ms. Sharon JamesAdministratorPhone: 701-231-7580 Sharon L. James was born in Linton, North Dakota, where she completed high school. She received an Associate Degree at Bismarck State College and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education at the University of North Dakota. Ms. James has been employed at the Department of Military Science at North Dakota State University since September 1980 where she has seen approximately 400 cadets become Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army. She has worked for 12 Professors of Military Science (and she’s not done yet!). Prior to employment at NDSU, Ms. James was an instructor at Interstate Business College in Fargo, North Dakota. She also taught adult education classes for several years in Moorhead, Minnesota and in Fargo. She was also previously employed by the telephone companies in Bismarck and Fargo, North Dakota. |
 | Shawn O'DonnellInformation Technology AdvisorPhone: 701-231-5479 Mr. Shawn O'Donnell was born in Fargo North Dakota in March of 1980. He was raised in Dilworth and Moorhead Minnesota and now lives in Fargo, North Dakota. Shawn graduated from Moorhead high school in 1999 and continued his education at the Minnesota Community and Technical College in Moorhead Minnesota for three years. He studied Information Technology router and switch troubleshooting, maintenance and programming. Shawn also studied Computer hardware maintenance, webpage design and administration as well as email and server administration. While Shawn was attending college he worked full time as the Head of Security in the West Acres Mall in Fargo North Dakota. He also worked part time for the Department of Aerospace Studies at North Dakota State University as a Storekeeper and Supply Technician for several years. In July of 2005 he was employed full time as a Storekeeper/Supply Technician and supports both the Departments of Military Science and Aerospace Studies. In addition he provides the IT technical expertise for computer and computer systems maintenance and serves as the Liaison for the Army ROTC with the North Dakota State University Information Technology Systems. Shawn is strongly involved in community services. Shawn is currently member of the Harwood, ND Fire Rescue Department as a Firefighter First Responder. Shawn holds many certifications in the Fire/Rescue field, including but not limited to NDFA firefighter 1, Auto Extraction, Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Response, Emergency Vehicle Operations and ND First Responder Certification. Shawn is also on the board for the fire department as the secretary. Shawn also volunteers his time with the West Fargo Police Department's Explorer's group which teaches high school students about the different aspects of Law Enforcement. Shawn is also an active member of the Red River Valley Fraternal Order of Police. |
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