Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

LTC Brian Kerns's military career began in August of 1992 receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant from The Citadel. He was accessed Armor Branch and entered active service in 1993. His active duty assignments include Anti-Armor Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Troop Executive Officer and Assistant Squadron S3, 1st Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Polk, LA; assistant Operations Officer, HQ, 3d Infantry Division; Battalion Maintenance Officer and Tank Company Commander, 1st BN, 64th Armor Regiment at Fort Stewart, GA; Cavalry Team Chief and Trainer, 48th Infantry Brigade, Macon, GA; Squadron Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment and Chief of Operations and Brigade Executive Officer, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain at Fort Drum, NY. ;His operational experience includes Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Desert Thunder, SFOR Bosnia, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A native of Virginia, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina and Master's Degree in Military History, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His Army Schools include the Armor Basic Course, Dismounted Armored Scout Course, Scout Platoon Leaders Course, Infantry Captain's Career Course, and the Command and General Staff College.

LTC Kerns's military awards include the Bronze Star with OLC, the Meritorious Service Medal with three OLCs, and the Combat Action Badge.

LTC Kerns is married to the former Lisa Schulien from Fairfax, VA, and they have one son.

CPT Vergott was assigned as the Battalion Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) Officer in April 2009. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Cameron University.  He was commissioned in 2003 as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps. He is a native of Lawton, Oklahoma.

His military education includes the Signal Officer Basic Course, BN/BDE S6 Officer Course, and the Signal Captain’s Career Course

CPT Vergott’s first assignment was to the 54th Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters Battery, Virginia Beach, Va. He first served as the Signal Platoon Leader. He then served as the Executive Officer of the Signal Company in Hampton, Va. Later he was selected to deploy as theS6 Officer (Signal Battalion Staff Officer) with 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade, 29th Infantry Division to Kosovo in support of the United Nations’ Peace keeping mission, KFOR. Upon his return from Kosovo, CPT Vergott was selected and is currently serving as the Company Commander of Charlie Company (Signal) 116th BSTB, Hampton, Va. While serving in his current command position, he was selected to Active duty Guard to serve the duties as the APMS at Old Dominion University, Norfolk Va.

CPT Vergott’s military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2nd award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional development Ribbon (2nd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed forces Reserve Medal with M Device, and NATO Medal.

CPT Vergott is married to the former Laurie Solomon of Rockville, MD. They have two sons.

CPT Johnson was assigned as an Assistant Professor of Military Science in February 2011.  She is a graduate of Park University, Missouri, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management.

CPT Johnson’s  military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, the Officer Candidate School, the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course (PATRIOT), the Air Defense Artillery Captains Career Course, the Unit Commanders Course, and the Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer Course. 

CPT Johnson’s previous assignments include the Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC), Al Udeid, Air Base, Qatar, where she served as a Liaison Officer for the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command; The 32d AAMDC, Fort Bliss, TX where she served as the Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officer; Bravo Battery, 3-43, 11th ADA Brigade, Fort Bliss, TX where she was the Commander; 35th ADA Brigade, Fort Bliss, TX where she served as the S-1; Alpha Battery 1-7 ADA, Fort Bliss, TX where she served as the Fire Control Platoon Leader; Alpha Battery 2-1 ADA, Gwangju, Korea where she served as the Headquarters Platoon Leader.  Prior to commissioning CPT Johnson was assigned to the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army Personnel Service Center at the Pentagon where she served as the Records Division NCOIC.

CPT Johnson’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), the Good Conduct Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (2), the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal.

Captain Johnson is married to Mr. Marc Johnson, and they have a three year old daughter.

CPT Young was assigned as an Assistant Professor of Military Science in October 2010. A native of Tennessee, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2003.

His military education includes the Transportation Officer Basic Course, the Unit Movement Officer Course, the Transportation Coordinators’ Automated Information for Movements System II Course, and the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course.

CPT Young’s assignments include Platoon Leader for the 119th Cargo Transfer Company, 11th Transportation Battalion at Fort Story, Virginia. He later served as the Executive Officer for the Company. He then served as the Battalion S4 in garrison and while deployed to Camp Adder, Iraq. He has also served as a member of the Army Reserve Element at U.S. Joint Forces Command.

CPT Young’s military awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.

MSG Sullivan was assigned as the Senior Military Instructor in January 2010. He is a native of Greenville, South Carolina. MSG Sullivan joined the Army in September 1989.

His military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, the First Sergeant Course, the Battle Staff NCO Course, the Military Instructor Course, the Security Manager Course, the Equal Opportunity Course, and the Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection Level II Course.

MSG Sullivan served in various duty positions within the United States, Germany, and Korea and has deployed to   Iraq, Kuwait and two tours in Afghanistan. He attended Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was awarded the MOS 13P (MLRS Fire Direction Crew Member) in 1989. After his training his first duty assignment was 4/27th FAR Battalion in Wertheim and Babenhausen, Germany From 1990-1993 where he served as a MLRS Fire Direction Crewmember during his tour he was deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Following his overseas assignment ending in 1993, he was assigned to 6/27 FAR at Fort Sill, OK where he served as a Platoon Fire Direction Chief and deployed to Kuwait for Operation Intrinsic Action in 1994. In 1996 he was assigned to 6/37th FAR at Camp Stanley Korea and served as the Battery MLRS Fire Direction Chief and Platoon Sergeant. In 1997, he returned from Korea and was assigned to 2/18th FAR Battalion at Fort Sill, OK where he served as a Battery and Battalion Fire Direction Chief. In 1999, MSG Sullivan was assigned to B 1/30th FAR at Fort Sill, Ok he served as an AIT and OBC Instructor/Writer. In 2001, he was assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps Artillery at Fort Bragg, NC as the Corps Artillery Senior Fire Control NCO. In 2003 he was assigned to 6/37th FAR, at Camp Stanley, Korea for a second tour in Korea. In 2004 upon his return from Korea he was assigned to 3/27th FAR (HIMARS) at Fort Bragg, NC. During this assignment he served as the Battalion S2 Intelligence Sergeant and was later promoted to First Sergeant and assigned as C Btry, 3/27th FAR (HIMARS) First Sergeant  and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom twice as a First Sergeant. Upon return from his last deployment in 2008 he was assigned to the 18th Fires Brigade (ABN), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC and served as the Brigade Intelligence Sergeant.

MSG Sullivan military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (10th Award), the Army Achievement Medal, (4th Award), the Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), the National Defense Service Medal,  the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal (3 Campaign Stars), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), the Army Service Medal, the Overseas Ribbon (Numeral 2), the NATO Medal (ISAF) (2nd award), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal.

Mr. Hall was assigned as a Military Science Instructor in October 2008.  He is a native of Clintwood, Virginia.  Mr. Hall joined the Army in October 1984.

His military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Drill Sergeant School, Military Instructor Course, Security Manager Course, Equal Opportunity Course, Sapper Leader Course and Air Assault School.

Mr. Hall has served at various locations both within the United States and overseas.  His assignments include Delta Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division (MECH) at Fort Carson Colorado, Bravo Company, 547th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade at Darmstadt Germany, Alpha Company, 326 Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Alpha and Headquarters Companies, 10th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division at Schweinfurt, Germany, Charlie Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Charlie Company, 169th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 8th Army Noncommissioned Officer and KATUSA Training Academy in Uijeongbu South Korea, Bravo and Headquarters Companies 10 Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Infantry  Division at Fort Drum, and The State University of New York at Brockport, Army ROTC Battalion, in Brockport, New York.  Sergeant First Class (Ret) Hall has participated in Operations Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Mr. Hall’s duty positions include: Armored Personnel Carrier Driver, Demolitions Specialist, Team Leader, Squad Leader, Senior Drill Sergeant, Noncommissioned Officer’s Academy Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, Battalion Operations Sergeant, Battalion Security Sergeant and Military Science Instructor.

Mr. Hall’s military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal ( 3rd Award), the Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), the National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), the Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), the Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 Campaign Stars), the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Army Service Medal, the Overseas Ribbon (Numeral 3), the Drill Sergeant Badge, the Sapper Tab, and the Air Assault Badge.

SFC Coel was assigned as a Military Science Instructor in December 2009. He is a native of Wilson, North Carolina. SFC Coel joined the military in 1995.

He earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle University in 2008.

His military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Support Cadre Training Course, Cadre Trainer Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Contracting Officers Representative Course, and the Air Assault Course.

He attended Basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma  and Advanced Individual Training(AIT) at Fort Bliss, TX for MOS 14S (Avenger Crew Member) in 1995. His first duty assignment was 4/43 ADA Battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas in 1995. In 1998, he attended his second Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia for MOS 15T (UH-60 Blackhawk crewmember). In 1998, he was assigned to 377th Air Ambulance Company at Camp Humphries, Korea. In 1999, he was assigned to Charlie Company 8/101 Aviation Battalion at Ft Campbell, Kentucky, 101st Airborne Division. In 2001, he was assigned to Alpha Company 8/101 Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In 2004, he was assigned to the United States Army Aviation Logistics School at Fort Eustis, Virginia. In 2008, he was assigned to HHC Area Support Group (ASG) at Arifjan Kuwait.

Duty positions include Avenger crewmember, UH-60 helicopter repairer, Tactical transport helicopter repairer, UH-60 Squad leader, UH-60 Section Sergeant, UH-60 Platoon Sergeant, United States Army Aviation Logistic School Instructor/Writer, and Combat Service Support Contract-Kuwait (CSSC-K) Assistant Contract Officer Representative (ACOR).

His deployments include Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Kandahar, Afghanistan; Quyarih West, Iraq and Arifjan, Kuwait

His awards include the Army Commendation Ribbon (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (4th award), Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Korean Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asian Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2nd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (3rd Award), Aviation Crewmember Badge, and Air Assault Badge.