Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

LTC James B. Botters

Professor of Military Science

LTC Jim Botters received his commission in 1989 as a Military Intelligence Officer from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters of Arts degree in Management from Webster University, St Louis, Missouri.

Upon completion of the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, LTC Botters was assigned as the assistant S2, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Cambell Kentucky and six months later deployed with his unit in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. upon redeployment, LTC Botters served as the S2 for 326th Engineer battalion, Platoon Leader for Alpha Company, 311th MI Battalion, and Executive Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Operations Company, 311the MI Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

After completing the Military Intelligence Officers Advanced Course, LTC Botters served as a G2 Operations Officer, 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea. Upon returning to the United States, LTC Botters served as a Forward Detachement Commander and as the Headquarters and Services Company Commander for the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Reconnaissance), 513th MI Brigade, Ft. Bliss Texas. LTC Botters then moved to Third U.S. Army, Army Forces Central Command (ARCENT), Atlanta, Georgia where he served as a G2 Plans Officer and as the Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General.

Graduating from the United States Army’s Command and General Staff College in 2002, LTC Botters was assigned as the S2, 3rd Brigade Combat Team (187th Infantry), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Upon redeployment from Operation Iraqi Freedon, LTC Botters served as the Deputy G2 for the Division. LTC Botters’ last assignment was as the Chief of the G2 Analysis and Control Element (G2 ACE), 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea.

LTC Botters’ awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal (4), the Army Commendation Medal (3), the Army Acheivement Medal, Air Assault Badge and the Parachutist Badge. LTC Botters is married to the former Ms Gina Lane Culberson of Birmingham, Alabama. They have two children; Hank and Savannah Lane.

MAJ Edwin Escobar

Executive Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science

MAJ Edwin Escobar first joined the US Army at the age of seventeen for a 3-year enlistment in the US Army Chemical Corps as a Chemical Operations Specialist in the 12th Chemical Company, 1st Infantry Division (M), Fort Riley, Kansas.  In 1991 he deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operation Desert Shield & Operation Desert Storm.

After his enlistment, he attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.  After his designation as Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Florida ROTC program, he received his commission in 1996 as a Military Police Officer. 

Upon completion of the Military Police Officer Basic Course, MAJ Escobar was assigned as a platoon leader, 554th Military Police Company, 95th Military Police Battalion, Stuttgart, Germany and two weeks later deployed to the Balkans in support of Operation Joint Endeavor in 1996. During his time in Germany, he later deployed to Slavonski Brod, Croatia in 1998 and subsequently to Rijeka, Croatia in support of Operation Joint Guard.

After completing the Military Police Officers Advanced Course, MAJ Escobar assumed command of the 549th Military Police Company, 3d Military Police Battalion, Ft Stewart, Georgia.  In 2002, he deployed the company to Bosnia-Herzegovina during Stabilization Force 11.  His unit was the recipient of the 2002 J.P. Holland Award, which is the “Best Military Police Company in the Department of the Army”.

MAJ Escobar served as the Battalion S3 for the Benning Criminal Investigation Command (Division) at Ft Benning, Georgia and was handpicked for the Detainee Assessment Task Force during the Abu Ghraib investigations.  MAJ Escobar was then assigned as a Force Protection Officer for US Army North at Ft Sam Houston, Texas, but at Initial Operating Capability became the Provost Marshal of an Army Service Component Command and built the construct of a Force Protection directorate.  

MAJ Escobar’s latest assignment was as the Police Operations Advisor on a National Police Transition Team in Iraq.  His duties included teaching, coaching, and mentoring the Iraqi National Police Brigade S3 in the Multinational Division-Baghdad.  Completely embedded, MAJ Escobar and his Iraqi counterpart planned multiple counterinsurgency operations in Salma Pak and in Baghdad.

MAJ Escobar’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (7), Army Achievement Medal (5), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). Badges include the Combat Action Badge, Air Assault and the Parachutist.  Foreign awards include the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (Bronze), Nijmegan Medal, Danish Contingency Medal (2), and the German Schützenschnur (Silver).

MAJ Joe Jennings

Training Officer

Upon his entry into the US Army in 1984 and following his basic training, Major Joe Jennings has served at the following locations and positions: 3/504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd ABN Division, Fort Bragg, NC, Feb 1985 to Jul 1988 Major Jennings served in the following duty positions: Automatic Rifleman, Team Leader, Squad Leader.

3-5 Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, KY, Aug 1988 to Oct 1992 as a Senior Special Forces Weapons Sergeant with the additional duty as Detachment Sniper. While assigned to Fort Campbell, he was also deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, earning a combat patch, Combat Infantryman Badge and Purple Heart.  

2-5 Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, KY, Jun 1992 to Oct 1994 Major Jennings served as a Senior Special Forces Medical Sergeant with the additional duty as a Detachment Sniper.

He attended the Officer Candidate School and Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, GA from Oct 1994 to July 1995.

1-327 Inf., 101st Air Assault from Aug 1995 to May 1999 Jennings served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Anti-Armor Platoon Leader, HHC Executive Officer and Assistant G3 Operations.  

HHC 82nd ABN Division from Sep 2001 to June 2003 the Major served as the assistant G-3 Operations for the 82nd ABN DIV. I performed combat duty in Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Major Jennings recently returned from theater where he taught Counter insurgency, ambush and IED defeat operations.

His deployments include: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Haiti, and Sinai Egypt.

Awards and Decorations include:  Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.

Military education: PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, IOBC, AOAC, Ranger School, Special Forces Qualification Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School.

MAJ Scott Macksam

Assistant Professor of Military Science

MAJ Macksam is a Distinguished Military graduate from the University of Cincinnati and holds a Bachelor’s in History and Minor in German Studies. He was Commissioned into the Field Artillery in 1992. MAJ Macksam has served in a variety of leadership positions they include Fire Direction Officer 5/18 FA, Fort Sill, 1/77 FA, MLRS Platoon Leader and Battery Operations Officer, 1/77 FA Battalion Assistant S3, 2/27 Infantry Battalion Fire Support Officer 25 th ID Hawaii, 3/7 FA Battery Commander, 2/185 Armor Battalion S4, 2 nd Bde, 40 th ID Brigade Assistant S3 and United States Army Pacific Hawaii (USARPAC), Plans and Exercise Officer, CTC Exercise Officer 350th Civil Affair Command,He has also taught at San Diego State University and University of Hawaii Army ROTCs. He is a graduate of the FA Officers Basic Course, MLRS Cadre Course Air Defense Officers Advanced Course, CAS3, Air Assault School and Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Course and is a Diversity/Facilitator Trainer.

MAJ Steve Wills

Assistant Professor of Military Science

Major Stephen T. Wills enlisted in 1992 and served as a Personnel Sergeant in the XVIII Airborne Corps and 82d Airborne Division at Ft Bragg, North Carolina until he received a Green-to-Gold Scholarship in 1996.  MAJ Wills earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Campbell University in 1999 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.   

Major Wills’ career as an officer began at Ft Eustis, Virginia where he served as a Platoon Leader in the 567th Transportation Company (CTC), Executive Officer in the 329th Transportation Company (HB), Battalion Adjutant/S-1, 24th Transportation Battalion; he then became the Operations officer for the 842d Transportation Battalion, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Beaumont, Texas.  MAJ Wills transitioned from active duty to the Active Guard Reserve program (AGR) in 2004 where he served as a Transportation officer, 32d Transportation Group, Tampa, Florida.  While assigned to the 32d Transportation Group he was selected to be a member of a 10 man Military Transition Team (MiTT) where he served as an advisor for two companies in the 1st Iraqi Army Motor Transportation Regiment, Camp Taji, Iraq and the G-4 advisor to the 6th Iraqi Army Division in Baghdad, Iraq.  Following his deployment, MAJ Wills served as the Plans Officer for the 387th Transportation Detachment, Tampa, Florida.

Major Wills’ military education consists of:  Transportation Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course, PLDC, BNCOC, Airborne and Jumpmaster School.  His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with bronze star device), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with Numeral 2), Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Australian Parachutist Badge and the Order of St Christopher Medal (Honorable).

Major Wills is married to the former Daisy Perez-Soto of Moca, Puerto Rico

CPT Jaime R. Fried

Assistant Professor of Military science and Florida army National Guard Liaison

CPT Jaime R. Fried received her commission in 1999 as a Medical Service Corps Officer from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders and a Masters of Science degree in Health Care Administration from University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL.

Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, CPT Fried was granted an Education Delay, and joined the Florida Army National Guard, as Headquarters Platoon Leader of the HHC 53rd BDE SPT BN, St. Petersburg, FL.  Upon completion of her masters Degree and of the Medical Service Corps Officer Basic Course, CPT Fried was assigned to Active Duty Army as the Evacuation Platoon Leader, 602nd Area Support Medical Company (ASMC), Ft. Bragg, NC, and two weeks later deployed with her unit in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Uzbekistan. From Uzbekistan CPT Fried deployed to Afghanistan and served as the Combat Support Hospitals evacuation officer as well as the Combined Joint Task Force 180’s Medical Liaison Officer.  Upon redeployment, CPT Fried served as the Treatment Platoon Leader for the 602nd ASMB as well as the Safety officer for the 261st Area Support Medical Battalion (ASMB), Ft. Bragg, NC.  Four Months later CPT Fried Deployed to Honduras for one year as Company Commander of the Medical Element on Soto Cano Air Force Base, Honduras.  Two weeks following her redeployment, CPT Fried deployed as the 261st Multi Function Medical Battalions S-1 Officer in Iraq. 

Upon redeployment, CPT Fried relocated to Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  After completing the Medical Service Corps Officers Advanced Course, CPT Fried served as an operations officer in the Army Medical Departments (AMEDD) War-fighter and Experimentation Division, Ft. Sam Houston, TX.  Following that assignment CPT Fried served as a BOLC III instructor at the AMEDD Center and School, Ft. Sam Houston, TX.

Following her BOLC III assignment, CPT Fried left active duty to return to Florida and the Florida Army National Guard.  CPT Fried currently works as an Officer Strength Recruiter out of the University of South Florida’s Army ROTC Department.

CPT Fried’s awards include the Army Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), the Army Achievement Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal.

MSG Fernando Garcia

Senior Military Instructor

MSG Fernando Garcia grew up in Bogotá, Colombia; however, he calls Gainesville, Florida his home.  He came to the United States in December 1984.  He enlisted in the United States Army in March of 1986 as a 12B Combat Engineer.  His first assignment was to D CO, 16th Eng Battalion (BN) (Germany) and then to D CO, 5th Eng BN at Fort Leonard Wood (FLW). He ended his time in service in February 1990 but was called back to active duty in January 1991.  He has been in the Army ever since. 

He served with D CO, 16th Eng BN; D Co, 5th Eng BN; C Co, 589th Eng BN; C CO, 577th Eng BN; A CO, 2nd Eng BN and C CO, 8th Eng BN in every position from sapper to Platoon Sergeant.

MSG Garcia served as an Equal Opportunity Advisor for HQ MANSCEN and HQ, 3rd Tng BDE (FLW). He was assigned as the S-3 NCOIC for the 169th Eng BN.

He was a First Sergeant for D CO 35th Eng BN, C CO 5th Eng BN and HHC 5th Eng BN.

He has been a track driver, Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Equal Opportunity Advisor, Operations Sergeant, and First Sergeant.

His military schools include PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, Equal Opportunity Advisor School, Basic Instructor Course and the First Sergeant Course.

His awards include the Army Service Ribbon; the National Defense Service Medal; the Overseas Service Ribbon (2OLC); The Korean Defense Service Medal; The Army Good Conduct Medal (5th); the Global War on Terrorism Medal; the Iraqi Campaign Medal; the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd); the Joint Meritorious Unit Award; the Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC); the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC); the Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Medal

He has a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from Park University.

He is happily married to Alejandra and they have a son, named Leandro, born in 2004. 

SFC Choice Miller

Assistant Professor of Military Science

SFC Choice J. Miller Jr. is from Tampa, Fl. He holds an Associate of Science in General Studies from the Central Texas College and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration at The University of Upper Iowa.

 He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1984 and entered the U.S. Army in 1986.  He enlisted as an Infantryman and attended basic training at Fort Benning, GA. Upon completion from basic training he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division Scholfield Barracks Hawaii from 1986-1990. While assigned at the Scholfield Barracks he was in 3/21 Infantry (Gimlets).  SFC Miller served as an Anti-tank gunner, Squad automatic rifleman, Battalion Scout and the (A) team leader.

His next duty station was Fort Bragg, NC where he was assigned to the 4/325 Parachute Infantry Regiment (P.I.R.) from 1990-1993. SFC Miller served as the (A) Team leader and weapons squad leader during Desert Shield & Desert Storm. His next PCS move was in 1993 back to Hawaii. From 1993-1997 he served in the 25th Infantry Division Scolfield Barracks Hi.  During his tenure he served as the 1st squad leader and weapons squad leader in 2/35 Infantry.

After his tour in the 25th Infantry Division he was assigned to 1/504 Airborne Infantry Regiment (A.I.R) from 1997-2000 at Fort Bragg, NC. SFC Miller served as a weapons squad leader. Whiled assigned to 1/504 he deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Restore Hope for 6 months, upon his return he was selected as an instructor to teach PLDC at Fort Bragg XVIII ABN Corps NCO Academy.

In 2000 he was assigned to Fort Polk, LA. where he served as an Observer Controller (O/C), Senior Platoon Sergeant and Live Fire Senior Platoon Sergeant until-2003.  In 2003 he returned to Fort Bragg, NC where he was chosen to be the Senior Platoon Sergeant  for the 82nd Replacement Detachment and serving as the acting 1SG until being moved to the HQ’s Platoon Sergeant and deploying to Afghanistan for 17months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF VIII). While there he served as the Personal Security Detail (PSD) Platoon Sergeant and the Sergeant of the Guard (SOG) of base security.

After returning from Afghanistan in 2008, he was assigned to the 6th Bde AROTC at the University of South Florida until present.

His training includes PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, Instructor Training Course (ITC), Air Assault School, Airborne School, Jump-Master School and Ranger School.

SFC Miller’s awards and decorations  include the Bronze Star,  Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (6 OLC)), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (7th award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Southwest Asia Campaign, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2nd award), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award),  United Nations Medal (for Haiti), NATO Medal (for Afghanistan), Saudi Arabia (KLM), Kuwait (KLM), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Jump Master, Air Assault Badge and the Ranger Tab.

SFC Miller and his wife Lois who he met at Fort Polk, LA have one child together, Chandra J. Miller.

SFC John Biggs

Assistant Professor of Military Science

SFC (Ret.) John Biggs grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. He enlisted in the United States Army in February 1987 as a Military Policeman and continued service until his retirement from active duty in April 2008. 

SFC Biggs’ assignments have included 92nd Military Police, Darmstadt, Germany; A Co USAG (MP), Ft Sam Houston, Texas; 254th BSB, The Netherlands; 164th MP Co, Ft Richardson, Alaska; and the 984th MP Co, Ft Carson, Colorado. He has served in numerous duty positions to include Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant and Operations Sergeant.   

His awards include: Army Service Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon (4OLC); Korean Defense Service Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC); Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC); and the Bronze Medal.

SFC Biggs is happily married. He and his wife Juanita have 3 wonderful sons.

SFC Steven Beck

Assistant Professor of Military Science

SFC (Ret) Steven Beck is from Lake Worth, Fl. He holds an Associate of Science in General Studies from Central Texas College and is currently working towards his Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology at The University of South Florida.

 He entered the U.S. Army in 1987 as a Infantryman and went to basic training at Fort Benning, GA. Upon completion from basic training he was assigned to 2/87 Infantry at Fort Drum, NY from 1988-1992. SFC Beck served as a squad automatic rifleman, Anti-tank gunner and as a team leader.

At Camp Bullis, TX SFC Beck served as a Range control NCO from 1992-1994.

While assigned to Scholfield Barracks he was in 1-27 Infantry (Wolfhounds) and 1-21 Infantry (Gimlets) from 1994-1997. SFC Beck served as team leader and squad leader.

At Fort Campbell, KY he was assigned to 3-327 Infantry (Battle force) from 1997-1999. SFC Beck served as squad leader and weapons squad leader.

HHC 2ID (Second to None) from 1999-2000 at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea. SFC Beck served as a Operations NCO.

After his tour in South Korea he was assigned to 2-502 Infantry (Strike force) from 2000-2002 at Fort Campbell, KY. SFC Beck served as a weapons squad leader. Whiled assigned to 2-502 he deployed to Kosovo in support of KFOR 3A.

As a Senior Drill Sergeant SFC Beck was assigned to 1-28 Infantry (Black Lions) from 2002-2005 at Fort Jackson, SC..

1-28 Infantry (Black Lions) moved to Fort Riley, KS where SFC Beck served as a Infantry Platoon Sergeant from 2006-2008. While assigned to 1-28 he deployed to Iraq in support of OIF V.

His schools include PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, Drill Sergeant school, Air Assault school and Pathfinder school.

SFC Beck’s awards and decorations  include the Bronze star,  Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Good Conduct Medal (6th award), Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award),  Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), NATO Medal for Kosovo, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Korean Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Drill Sergeant Badge.

He and his wife Kelly have 4 children, Samantha, Katelyn,  Michael and Jeffrey. Jeffrey is currently attending Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN.

CPT (Ret) Pedro Torres

Recruiting Operations Officer

 CPT Pedro Antonio Torres received an Army Reserve Commission into the Aviation Branch from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1992 after serving as Non-Commission Officer for the Army Medical Corp for 7 years and later as a Warrant Officer Aviator for 3 years.

CPT Torres proudly served and excelled in a variety of leadership positions since his commissioning. They include Airfield Commander, 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Uijambu, Korea; Platoon Leader, 5th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii; Assistant Chief Air Allocations Officer, Air Division, US Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida; Company Commander, Spanish Helicopter School Battalion, School of the Americas, Fort Rucker, Alabama. CPT Torres's last assignment was Recruiting Company Commander, Albuquerque Company, Phoenix Battalion, New Mexico. Through his service he has received "The Meritorious Service Medal", and numerous awards and medals for his hard work and commitment to the Armed Forces.

He holds a Bachelors of Science in Liberal Arts from The University of the State of New York, Albany. CPT Torres is a graduate of both the Army, Combined Arms Services Staff School and the Air Force non-resident, Air Command and Staff College. He is currently retired from the Army after 20 years of dedicate service and living in Tampa with his wife Ronda. CPT Torres works as a contractor for the US Army ROTC at the University of South Florida under the Communications Technologies Company.

1SG (Ret) Robert Bestpitch

Supply & Logistics Technician

1SG (Ret) Robert Bestpitch is a native of Bradenton, Florida where he graduated from Southeast High School in 1972.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972 as a Wheel and Track Vehicle Mechanic.  His first assignment was with Bravo Company, 701st Maintenance Battalion, US Forces, Korea.  After 13 months, he was assigned to the 226th Maintenance Company, Fort Sill, Ok. After a 9 month break in service, he enlisted again and returned to the U.S. Army. He served with the 597th Maintenance Company at Fort Carson, Colorado from May 1976 to September 1977 where he was the Senior Automotive Repairman.  He was next assigned to the 512th Maintenance Company in Mannheim, Germany from February 1978 to September 1980 where he served as a Wheel Vehicle Mechanic and later as Technical Inspector.  He then proceeded to Ft. Riley, Kansas and from February 1981 to November 1983 he assigned to the 1st Maintenance Company as a Technical Inspector and was promoted to Staff Sergeant.  He then served in the 556th Maintenance Company as a Quality Assurance Inspector. After his stint the 556th, he returned to Stuttgart, Germany and served in the 299th Support Battalion B Company from September 1984 to July 1987. During that tour, he was promoted to Sergeant First Class in August 1985 and graduated from the Army Non-Commissioned Officers’ Course (ANCOC) in 1987. In April 1988 to March 1992, he returned to Ft. Riley, Kansas where he was a Fleet Manager with the 556th Maintenance Battalion and GS Maintenance Supervisor with the 541st Maintenance Battalion.  He was assigned as the Battalion S 2/3 Operations Sergeant with the 541st Maintenance Battalion where he deployed November 1990 to April 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. Upon retuning he was assigned as the 1st Sergeant of the 1st Maintenance Company during that time he was promoted to Master Sergeant.  He retuned to the 51st Maintenance Battalion Mannheim, Germany from April 1992 to February 1996where he served as the Battalion S 2/3 Operations Sergeant.  He finished his career at the HHC 11th ACR Fort Irwin, Ca. March 1996 to April 1997, during that time he was the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, 11th ACR Support Operations section.

 MSG (Ret) Bestpitch’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon and the Overseas Ribbon.  MSG Bestpitch retired from the U.S. Army in April 1997 and currently resides in Palmetto, Florida.  He happily married. His hobbies include fishing, jet skiing and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Mrs. Rita J. Joyce

Staff Assistant

Rita Joyce came out of retirement to serve as Senior Secretary for the Army ROTC at the University of South Florida in September 2005.  She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Rivier College, Nashua, NH, and her Masters in Education with a concentration in Educational Counseling from Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

As an Educator, Mrs. Joyce served over 20 years in the classroom teaching a variety of subjects in classes ranging from kindergarten through 11th grade in Massachusetts and Louisiana.  She was a high school Guidance Counselor for over 6 years and also did a six-year stint as Director of Testing for a regional vocational-technical school in Massachusetts.

Mrs. Joyce left the Education scene to support her husband in setting up a small electronics business.  She served there as a self-taught secretary and bookkeeper for a period of approximately 3 years. In the years following, she joined the secretarial workforce in either industry or educational settings for over 20 years.

Mrs. Joyce’s early years were dedicated to the education of children as a religious sister for 22 years.  After leaving the convent, Mrs. Joyce met her late husband, John Joyce whom she married in July 1975.  Mrs. Joyce has four step-children from Mr. Joyce’s previous marriage.  Mrs. Joyce currently has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Mrs. Joyce’s 19 year old granddaughter enlisted in USAR, graduated from Basic Training at Ft Jackson on 7 September 2007 and is currently serving in Iraq.

Mr. Timothy Toomey

Human Resource Assistant

Mr. Toomey comes to USF from Providence College in Rhode Island where he began his second career as an Administrative Technician with The Army ROTC program.

Retiring from the Army in 2001, Mr Toomey spent 14 years assigned to the United States Army Recruiting Command. Prior to USAREC, Mr Toomey was assigned to Ft Polk, LA, Wurzburg Germany, and Ft Devens MA serving as a Track and Wheel Vehicle Mechanic and Recovery Vehicle Operator.

Married to wife Christine, they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. They reside in St Petersburg, Florida. An avid sports fan, Mr. Toomey follows his hometown Boston teams while here in FL.

Mr. Jose Ramirez

Human Resource Assistant

Mr. Ramirez entered the service in July 1985 at Fort Benning, GA.  After training as an Infantryman, he was assigned to the 2nd Bn, 21st Infantry, 24th Infantry, Fort Stewart, Ga, as a Scout and Sniper in HHC.  After 13 months, he was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in Kirchgoens, West Germany, in the 2nd Bn, 36th Infantry as a Team Leader.  His next assignment took him to the 1st Bn, 29th Infantry, Fort Benning, GA where he was an 11M AIT Instructor.  After three years, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division as the Assistant Battalion Operations NCO and Operations NCO.  Returning to the United States, He was assigned to the 1st Bn, 18th Infantry, 24th Infantry Division where he was assigned as a Squad Leader, Master Gunner and Platoon Sergeant.  His next assignment took him to the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, LA, where he was assigned to the Armor-Mechanized Team as an Observer Controller.  Returning to Germany, he was assigned as a platoon sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.  After three years he returned to the states and retired from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) as an Instructor.  After retirement, he worked for Harley-Davidson at Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson as a technician where he continues to work on weekends. 

Ms. Debbie Dilley

Human Resource Assistant

Ms. Debbie Dilley was born and raised in Atlanta, Ga. She graduated High School. From May 1979 to May 1992 served in the US Army. In January 1994 to Present, started working for the government as a government federal employee.

She is single, has one son and one grandson.