University of Southern Indiana - Extended Services: Academic Services

The Cadre is comprised of the commissioned officers and enlisted personnel who teach military science classes, direct training, and command the cadet corps.

Major Nathaniel Skelly, Commanding Officer, Assistant Professor of Military Science Major Nathaniel Skelly received his commission from the New Mexico Military Institute, where he also received his AA in Biology and continued his education at the University of New Mexico, received a Bachelor of Business Administration. Major Skelly has been assigned to such duty positions as Battery Executive Officer and Battalion S4 with the 1-377 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His last duty position was with the 38th Divarty out of Indianapolis as an Assistant S3. Major Skelly's military education includes his Officer Basic Course and Captain's Career Course with the Field Artillery, Airborne, Air Assault, and Air Load Planning. Major Skelly has been awarded the Combat Action Badge, as well as BSM (1), ARCOM (3), and the AAM (3).

Captain Matthew Riordan, Senior Military Science Instructor Captain Matthew Riordan graduated from the University of Southern Indiana in 2004 with a BS in Public Relations and Advertising. Following graduation he spent four years on active duty and was initially assigned to Ft Knox, Ky as a tactical evaluator for the Leadership Training Course. He then transferred to Ft. Sill, OK as a platoon leader in a 155mm (Paladin) Artillery Battalion. He served one tour in Baghdad, Iraq as a transportation platoon leader. Captain Riordan's other previous assignments: Battery Executive Officer, Battalion S1/Adjutant, Battalion Fire Direction Officer and Battalion Assistant Operations Officer. Capt. Riordan's awards include the Bronze Star Medal.

Captain Joel Matherly, Training Officer, Assistant Professor of Military Science Joel Matherly began his military career in January 1995, enlisting in the Indiana Army National Guard. Following graduation of basic training from Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he completed 25U School at Fort Gordon, Georgia to become a Signal Support Systems Specialist. He then returned to the 1-163d Field Artillery in Evansville, Indiana where he served as a RETRANS chief during the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana and ADSW for recruiting and retention. In 2001, he volunteered for service after the September 11th attack and was mobilized for Operation Noble Eagle/Operation Majestic Cardinal. Following this time, he attended Officer Candidacy School in the National Guard Bureau’s accelerated course at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Upon completion, he accepted his commission as a Second Lieutenant and completed his officer basic course at Fort Gordon, Georgia to return to the 1-163d as their S-6 Communications Officer. In 2004, he was assigned to the University of Southern Indiana as an ADSW Operations Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science. In late 2007, he mobilize with the 76th Separate Infantry Brigade, Indiana Army National Guard for a tour in Iraq. Upon completion of that tour, he will return home to his wife, Elizabeth, and their daughter Cecilia and will resume his assignment with the University of Southern Indiana’s Department of Military Science Eagle Detachment.

Second Lieutenant Adam Balbach, Gold Bar Recruiter Second Lieutenant Adam Balbach received his commission from the University of Southern Indiana in 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from USI and is an Infantry officer. He began his military career in August of 2004 when he enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard. He attended Basic Combat Training and the Fire Support Specialist Course at Ft. Sill, OK. Following BCT and AIT he was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 163rd Field Artillery in Evansville, IN. He has also completed Air Assault training at Ft. Campbell, KY. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the Norwegian Road March Award, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, the National Defense Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon.

Command Sergeant Major Christopher Knies, Senior Military Instructor Command Sergeant Major Christopher Knies was born in Jasper, Indiana, and began his career in March of 1987. He has served in such positions as Afghanistan National Army CSM and NCO Mentor, Operations SGM for the HHB 38th Division Artillery, and the BN CSM 1st BN for the 163rd Field Artillery. Sergeant Major Knies military education includes Fire Support Specialist, Initial Fire Support Automation System, Total Army Instructors Training Course, and is currently enrolled in USASMA (MOD 6 Completed). His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Conduct Award, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Devise and Bronze Hour Glass.

Master Sergeant Gary McConnell, Logistics Technician Master Sergeant (RET) Gary McConnell was born in Dubuque, Iowa, and began his military career in March 1980. He served in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Utah, California, Iraq and Indiana where he retired on 1 June 2007. His duty assignments included Property Book NCO, Supply Sergeant, Training NCO and Operations NCO. His military education includes Improvised explosion detection (IED), Nuclear Biological and chemical (NBC) defense course, Traffic Management Course, Facility Manager Course, Security Manager Course, Physical Security Course, Training Management Course, Mobilization Planers Course, Maintenance Course, and Supply Course. Master Sergeant (RET) McConnell’s awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters and the Army Achievement Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters.

Sergeant First Class Ken Suratt, Recruiting and Retention Sergeant First Class Ken Suratt was born in Casper, Wyoming, and began his military career in August 1988, enlisting in the United States Army at the age of 17 as a Military Policeman. His duty assignments include Ft. Carson, Colorado (two years), Ft. Clayton, Panama (three years), Ft. Benning, Georgia (five years) and Denver, Colorado (six years). He attended the Military Police Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, The Primary Leadership Development Course, The Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, The Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, the U.S. Army Sniper School, the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Air Assault School, the U.S. Army Master Fitness Training Course, the U.S. Army Instructor Training Course, the U.S. Army Combat Lifesaver Course, the U.S. Army Recruiting School, and the U.S. Army National Guard Recruiting School. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal (3), the Army Achievement Medal (5), the Good Conduct Medal (5), the National Defense Service Medal (2), and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Professional Development Ribbon (3), the Basic Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge. Sergeant First Class Suratt wears the U.S. Army Distinguished Pistol Shot Medal in Gold, as well as the U.S. Army Distinguished Rifle Shot Medal in Silver and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Gold.

Staff Sergeant Danny Parker, Supply NCOIC Staff Sergeant Danny Parker's decorations and citations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (2), the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, and the Army Service Ribbon. SSG Parker was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraq Freedom with the 1st Battalion 163rd. He was deployed to Iraq/Kuwait from April 14, 2003, to February 14, 2004. Upon return, he became an NCO. SSG Parker has recently served the USI ROTC in his second deployment to Iraq since December of 2007. He was injured in a vehicle accident in Iraq and is home on two weeks of convalescent leave. After his two weeks home, he'll ship out to Fort Gordon, Ga., where he'll be in physical therapy at a VA hospital. See the story at CourierPress.com: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/jun/29/a-patriotic-welcome-home/

Sergeant Matthew L. Hertweck , Recruiting and Retention NCO Sergeant Matthew L. Hertweck is a graduate of Bosse High School in Evansville, IN. He started his military career in 1999, with 1-163d field artillery out of Evansville, IN. His travels include Ft. Lenordwood, Missouri (Basic Training), Ft. Sill, Oklahoma (AIT), Ft. Polk, Louisiana (JRTC), Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin (MUPPS), and Camp Robinson, Arkansas (Recruiting and Retention Course). Sergeant Hertweck's basic training was completed at Ft. Lenordwood, MO in the winter of 1999. He then went on to complete his advanced individual training at Ft. Sill, OK. He has completed many ADSW assignments to include, Unit Readiness Support, Unit Strength Support, AFATDS training, Pre-Deployment Support, MOB Support, and Company Postal Operations. Also, Sergeant Hertweck has completed a tour of duty in Baghdad, Al Najaf, and Diwaniyah Iraq. Sergeant Hertweck's awards include Army Commendation Medal (4), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M Device, Army Achievement Medal (2), Army Service Ribbon (2), Army Reserve Comp. Achievement Medal, Indiana Emergency Service Ribbon, Indiana Recruiting Ribbon (2), Combat Action Badge, and Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badge.

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