Major John Blankenhorn
Professor of Military Science & Department Chair
Active Duty United States Army
402-472-4269
jblankenhorn2@unl.edu
Major John F. Blankenhorn is the Professor of Military Science and Chair of the Department of Military Science at the University of Nebraska Lincoln.
Major Blankenhorn is a basic branch Armor Officer commissioned through the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in General Management from USMA in 1994.
Upon completion of the Armor Officer Basic Course, Major Blankenhorn served as a platoon leader in 4ID and platoon leader and staff officer in 3d ACR at Fort Carson, Colorado. Following completion of the Armor Officer Advance Course, the Combined Arms Service Staff School and Cavalry Leaders Course in 1998, Major Blankenhorn served as the 1-1 Cavalry Squadron Maintenance Officer and the C Troop Commander while stationed in Budingen, Germany.
In August 2001, Major Blankenhorn was assigned as a trainer to the 1-394th TSBn of the 75th ID (TS) in support of the Louisiana National Guard's 256 Enhanced Separate Brigade with duty in Shreveport, Louisiana. He subsequently served as a Small Group Instructor for the Engineer Captain's Career Course at Fort Leonard-Wood, Missouri from August 2003 to August 2005.
Prior to his current duties at UNL, Major Blankenhorn was assigned to 3d ACR at Fort Hood, Texas where he served as Assistant Regimental S-3, Regimental Planner and a Squadron Operations Officer and Executive Officer in garrison and while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Major Blankenhorn is a graduate of Intermediate Level Education at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) at Fort Benning, Georgia and holds a Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Major Blankenhorn also maintains the Valorous Unit Award as a permanent unit award. His skill qualifications include the Airborne and Air Assault badges.
Major Blankenhorn and his wife Sherri have five children..
Captain Daniel Behn
Assistant Professor of Military Science
Battalion Executive Officer
Nebraska Army National Guard
402-472-4264
dbehn2@unl.edu
Captain Daniel Behn was born in Kearney, Nebraska on November 6, 1963. He graduated high school at North Platte High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University. Captain Behn started his military career as an enlisted member of the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. His other previous duty assignments were with the 372nd Engineer Group and 3rd Corps Support Command in the Army Reserves, the 67th ASG, 1075th Transportation Company and 734th Transportation Battalion with the Nebraska Army National Guard.
Captain Behn's awards include: Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with M and Silver Hour Glass Device), Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Nebraska National Guard Service Medal (with M Device), Nebraska National Guard Individual Achievement Medal, Louisiana Emergency Service Medal.
Captain Behn and his wife, Jan, have two daughters. The Behn's live in Hickman, Nebraska.
First Lieutenant Daniel Preister
Military Science Instructor
Nebraska Army National Guard
402-472-2468
dpreister2@unl.edu
1LT Daniel Preister was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Omaha South High School in 1997 and received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2005. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Business Administration (MBA).
His military education includes Basic Training (Fort Jackson, SC), Advanced Individual Training (Fort Gordon, GA), Primary Leadership Development Course (Fort Hood, TX), Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, (Camp Ashland, NE), Officer Candidate School (Camp Ashland, NE) and Signal Officers Basic Course (Fort Gordon, GA).
1LT Preister enlisted into the United States Army in 1997 and upon completion of Basic Training; he was assigned to the 299th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. While being stationed at Fort Hood, 1LT Preister served as a Battalion signal support system specialist. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and moved to Bravo Company, 299th Engineer Battalion were he served as the Company Communications NCO.
In August 2001, 1LT Preister separated from Active Duty and enlisted in the Nebraska Army National Guard where he served with the 867th Petroleum Supply Battalion. While attending UNO, LT Preister was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was accepted to participate in Nebraska's state OCS program. In August 2005, LT Preister commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and upon completion of Signal OBC, he deployed with the 867th Corp Support Battalion to Camp Taji, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There LT Preister served as the Battalion S6.
Prior to his current duties at UNL, 1LT Preister was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA on a state side mobilization as part of the First Army's Operation Warrior Training (OWT) program. He served with the 1/364 CSS Regiment as the Signal Training Team OIC and as the S1 Bn Adjutant.
1LT Preister's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with Bronze oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with 3 Bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M-Device, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
First Lieutenant Spencer Murdock
Assistant Professor of Military Science
Nebraska Army National Guard
402-472-4269
smurdock2@unl.edu
Spencer Murdock was born in Bassett, Nebraska. He graduated from Rock County High School in 1997 and received his Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Marketing, Communication and Advertising at UNL.
His military education includes Basic Combat Training and Personnel Service Specialty Course (Ft. Jackson, SC). 1LT Murdock received his commission from the UNL Army ROTC Program in 2006 and attended Signal Officer Basic Course (Ft. Gordon, GA).
He enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard in 2000 becoming a part of the 105th Personnel Service Detachment. In February 2003, he deployed to Jordan during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then was moved to Camp Wolf, Kuwait, where his unit was responsible for all personnel movement in and out of theater. SPC Murdock was tasked as Night Flight Liaison for all incoming military and civilian personnel into theater. The unit returned stateside in April 2004.
1LT Murdock joined the 600th Transportation Company in November of 2006 as a platoon leader. He then deployed again in May of 2009 to COB Adder, Iraq. His unit's mission was convoy logistic patrol for Central and Southern Iraq. Upon his return, he was assigned as Commander, HHD, 734th Transportation Battalion.
His awards and decorations are Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary & Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device & numeral "2", Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon with numeral "2", Nebraska Individual Achievement Medal, Nebraska Homeland Service Ribbon with Mobilization Device, Nebraska Army National Service Medal with 5 year device, Nebraska National Guard Military Honor Guard Ribbon, Louisiana National Guard Emergency Service Medal.
Master Sergeant Thomas Gray
Senior Military Science Instructor
Active Duty United States Army
402-472-4265
tgray3@unl.edu
Master Sergeant Thomas J. Gray was born in Des Moines, Iowa on May 3, 1963. He graduated in 1981 from Ralston high school, Omaha, NE, and entered military service in February of 1987. His military training and education includes Basic Combat Training, Airborne, Ranger, Jump Master, Drop Zone Leaders, Pathfinder, Army Battle Staff, Air Assault, Master Fitness, Drill Sergeant, Air Movement Operations, Primary Leadership Development, Basic Leadership Development, Advanced Leadership Development courses. He is also a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
Master Sergeant Gray has served as a Rifleman, SAW Gunner, Machine Gunner, Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Battalion Operations Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Observer Controller (JRTC) and Company First Sergeant.
His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantry Badge w/Star, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, German Jump Wings, Korean Jump Wings, the Bronze Star w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal w/4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal w/Star, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
Master Sergeant Gray and his wife, Lisa, have two sons.
Sergeant First Class Richard Ballard
Military Science Instructor
Active Duty United States Army
402-472-4265
rballard3@unl.edu
Sergeant First Class Richard G. Ballard was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 2, 1972. He joined the Louisiana National Guard in February of 1990 attending Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After graduating from Northwood High School in Blanchard, Louisiana in 1991, SFC Ballard completed Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia, receiving a MOS of 11B Infantryman. In August of 1992 SFC Ballard transferred to active duty status reporting to 1-4 INF Hohenfels, Germany. Other units SFC Ballard has served with are 5-20 INF, FT Lewis WA. (1995-1997), 1-14 INF Schofield Barracks, HI (1997-2001), 2 - 187 INF FT. Campbell, Kentucky (2001-2004) 2 - 11 INF (2004-2007), National Police Transition Team Member Iraq (Nov 07-Oct 08).
Sergeant First Class Ballard has held the positions of Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, M60 gunner/ assistant gunner, M203 Gunner, RTO, Rifle Squad Team Leader, Rifle Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Platoon Leader.
Sergeant First Class Ballard has also deployed on several Operations. In 1996 he deployed to Guam on Operation Pacific Haven to guard Kurdish refugees being inprocessed into the United States. In 2001 SFC Ballard deployed to Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky to guard the munitions storage facility as part of Operation Noble Eagle. He has also deployed to Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom I and VII.
Sergeant First Class Ballard is a graduate of the Total Army Instructor Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Javelin Gunner's Course, the Javelin Instructor's Course, Warrior Leaders Course, BNCOC, ANCOC, Pre- Ranger Course (Schofield Barracks), Level I Combatives Instructor, Air Assault Course, and Load Planners Course.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal 5th Award, National Defense Service Medal 2nd Award, Army Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCOPDR 3rd Award, Over Seas Ribbon 4th Award, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (w/ Arrowhead) Global War on Terrorism Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal.
BADGES: Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Wheeled Drivers Badge, Order of Saint Moires.
Mr. Larry Tabone
Supply Technician
Retired U.S. Army
402-472-4263
ltabone2@unl.edu
Mr. Tabone joined the UNL Army ROTC staff in October 2007, transferring to Lincoln from Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. He has extensive experience as a supply technician as both a Department of the Army Civilian and as a noncommissioned officer on active duty in the US Army.
Mrs. Kristine Hart
Human Resources Technician
Retired Nebraska Air National Guard
402-472-2469
khart2@unl.edu
Kris keeps the cadets records, manages Army forms, schedules physicals, and ensures contracted and scholarship cadets receive their monthly stipends. Kris retired from the Nebraska Air National Guard after 20 years as an airplane mechanic. Kris has been with UNL Army ROTC for 20 years. She's an avid fan of the Lincoln Stars' hockey team and attends every Nebraska Huskers home football game.
Mrs. Marjorie Wolfe
Office Associate
402-472-5885
mwolfe1@unl.edu
Mrs. Wolfe joined the Military Science Department in October, 2006. She provides secretarial/receptionist support to the Professor of Military Science and Cadre. In her spare time she enjoys camping, hiking and reading; but her favorite activity is playing with her grandchildren..
