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 CPT Joel Matherly began his military career in January 1995 enlisting in the Indiana National Guard as a 25U Signal Support System Specialist. He attended Basic Training at FT Jackson S.C. and completed his A.I.T. at FT Gordon GA. Upon his return to the 1^st BN 163 FA in Evansville, IN he served as the RETRANS chief. CPT Matherly volunteered for service after the attacks in September 11^th and was mobilized for Operation Noble Eagle serving at the Evansville Regional Airport. Following Operation Noble Eagle he attended the Officer Candidacy School at FT. McClellan, AL. and FT Indiantown Gap, PA. Upon completion of O.C.S. he was commissioned an Officer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and returned to the 1^st BN 163 FA as the S-6 communications officer. n 2007 CPT Matherly was mobilized again with the 1^st BN 163 FA for Operation Iraqi Freedom serving as the S-6 in COS Marez, Mosul, Iraq. CPT Matherly is the USI Army ROTC MS III instructor as well as the Training Officer and is currently the Commander for Company C, 76 Special Troops Battalion, 76 IBCT, INARNG. CPT Matherly graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a B.S.

Command Sergeant Major Christopher Knies, Senior Military Science Instructor CSM Christopher Knies is from Ferdinand, IN and began his military career in 1987. He has served in every NCO position from team leader to his current position as the BN Command Sergeant Major with the 1^st BN 163 Field Artillery. CSM Knies served in various units during his career with the INARNG. In 2004 he deployed to Afghanistan as an Embedded Trainer working with the Afghanistan National Army. His duties included training, coaching and mentoring as well as conducting combat operations with the ANA. In 2008 he deployed to Iraq where he served as the Garrison CSM at COS Marez in the northern city of Mosul. CSM Knies military education includes Fire Support Specialist, Infantryman, Initial Fire Support Automation System, Total Army Instructors Training Course, and all Noncommissioned Officer Education Courses including the United States Army Sergeant Majors Academy. His civilian education includes an Associates degree through IVY TECH. His most notable decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal(2), Army Achievement Medal(7), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal(4), National Defense Medal with Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Meal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon(2), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M and silver hourglass devise and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He is married to his wife Sandy of 18 years and has two children, Ashley and Austin.

Master Sergeant Gary McConnell, Human Resource Administrator 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.

Staff Sergeant (Ret) Danny Parker, Logistics Technician Staff Sergeant (Ret) Parker was born in Panama City, FL and was raised around the Army his entire childhood. He began his military career in 2001 with the Indiana Army National Guard and attended Basic Training and A.I.T. at FT. Sill OK. in January of 2002 as a 13 Fox Fire Support Specialist. In 2003 he deployed as member of the FIST with the 1^st BN 163 FA supporting the 1^st BN 293 INF for Operation Iraq Freedom/Enduring Freedom returning in 2004. In 2007 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was deployed back to Iraq in December of 2007. During his second deployment he held the position as a truck commander for convoy operations in Iraq. Due to injuries from an Armored Security Vehicle rollover in Iraq, he was medically discharged from the Indiana National Guard in March of 2009. His military education includes the Fire Support Specialist, Primary Leadership development Course, Combat Lifesaver Course and has held NCO positions as a Forward Observer, Fire Support team chief and Squad Leader. Staff Sergeant Danny Parker's decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (2), the Army Achievement Medal (2), the National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, and the Army Service Ribbon..

Sergeant Matthew L. Hertweck , Recruiting and Retention NCO SGT Matthew Hertweck graduated from Bosse High School and started his military career in 1999 with the 1^st BN 163 FA in Evansville, IN. He attended Basic Training at FT. Leonard Wood MO. and graduated A.I.T. at FT. Sill, OK. as a13E Cannon Fire Direction Specialist. SGT Hertweck deployed in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with duty in Baghdad, Al Najaf, Diwaniyah, Iraq. His military education also includes the 79T Recruiting and Retention Course, 13B Cannon Crew Member, 42L Company Postal Operations, AFATDS, Combat Lifesaver Course and Warrior Leader Course. Hertweck's many decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (4), Army Achievement Medal (2), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M devise, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and the Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badge.

Top of Page

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600