Lieutenant Colonel James Wheeler currently serves as the Professor of Military Science of the Cleveland ROTC Program hosted by John Carroll University. He was commissioned as a Quartermaster officer in 2006 from the University of Toledo Army ROTC Program.
His deployments include participation in the EUROPEAN DETERRENCE INITIATIVE, Poland (2023); OPERATION NEW DAWN, Iraq (2011); OPERATION ENDURING/IRAQI FREEDOM, Afghanistan/Iraq (2008); and OPERATION JOINT GUARDIAN, Kosovo (2001).
Previous assignments include: Deputy Land Operating Forces Division, DLA Land and Maritime; Commander, DLA Support Team- Poland; Operations Research Analyst, DLA Land and Maritime; Research Fellow, RAND Corporation; Deputy G4, 25th Infantry Division; Executive Officer, 325th Brigade Support Battalion; Division Logistics Planner, 25th Infantry Division; Plans Officer, 8th Theater Sustainment Command; Commander, Delta Company, 407th Brigade Support Battalion; Deputy Support Operations Officer, 407th Brigade Support Battalion; Aide-de-Camp, Joint Munitions and Lethality Lifecycle Management Command and the Joint Munitions Command; Brigade Adjutant, 49th Quartermaster Group; Executive Officer, 267th Quartermaster Company; Detachment Commander, 54th Quartermaster Company (Mortuary Affairs); Platoon Leader, 54th Quartermaster Company (Mortuary Affairs). LTC Wheeler also served in the enlisted ranks as a Combat Engineer in the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia and the 612th Engineer Battalion, Walbridge, Ohio.
He holds a Master of Science in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, Master of Art in Military Operations from the School of Advanced Military Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Toledo, Ohio. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and a Department of Defense Disaster Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Planner. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Military Studies Program (SAMS), Command and General Staff College, United States Army Jumpmaster, Airborne, Air Assault, Aerial Delivery Material Officer, Operational Contract Support, Theater Logistics Planners, Mortuary Affairs and Combined Logistics Captains Career Courses.
Awards and decorations include: Bronze Star (1OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal (w/Bronze Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO (Kosovo) Medal, and the Ohio Award of Merit. He has been awarded the Silver Spurs, the Order of Saint Martin, and the Senior Parachutist, Air Assault, Canadian Parachutist and Parachute Rigger’s Badges. He has also been recognized by the Society of Logistics Experts as a Demonstrated Master Logistician.
LTC Wheeler, a native of Alvordton, Ohio, is married to the former Laura Lauer of Tiffin, Ohio. They have four sons: Brayden, Justice, Lincoln, and Reece.
Captain Keanu Legeh Gerald, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has served in the U.S. Army since 2015. Commissioned as a Reserve Officer, she completed officer training at the Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in 2018 and has advanced through several key roles. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her previous assignments include managing operations at the U.S. Army Reserve Command in Fort Liberty, North Carolina, overseeing personnel management as the S1 at the 11-108th Regiment (Officer Education System) in Concord, North Carolina, and managing activities across multiple platoons as an officer at the 912th Personnel Company in Orlando, Florida.
While serving as a First Lieutenant at USARC and FORSCOM at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, she made significant contributions by collaborating with three-star General Jody Daniels to plan and execute commanding general forums for Army Reserve leadership across 26 geographical commands. Additionally, she served as an executive officer, managing eight Army Reserve Family Programs, and developed and conducted Retirement Services Officer (RSO) courses, certifying over 100 personnel in two years to support Army Reserve Soldiers retiring in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In her civilian career, Captain Gerald has worked as a Correctional Officer at Hillsborough County Jail in Tampa, Florida, a fifth-grade school teacher, and a General Schedule (GS) Civilian for the 81st Readiness Division.
Captain Gerald holds dual bachelor’s degrees in developmental psychology and biomedical health sciences, as well as finance. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in higher education at the University of Louisville, Kentucky, funded by the Army. Her service has been recognized with the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with three awards, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. She has also earned sharpshooter qualification badges with both pistol and rifle. On a personal note, she is the youngest of four siblings, with three supportive sisters. Her family, including her dedicated partner, has been unwavering in their support throughout her military journey, providing constant encouragement and motivation.
Sergeant First Class Evans was born in Glenwood Springs, CO on 26 APR 1983. He joined the Army in Feb 03 and attended OSUT (One Station Unit Training) at Fort Knox, KY as a Cavalry Scout. Over the course of his career, SFC Evans served as a Military Science Instructor, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Marksmanship Trainer, Squad Leader, Team Leader, and a Vehicle Commander, Gunner, Driver, and Scout on Bradleys, Strykers, and HMMWVs. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom two times, Afghanistan three times, deployment to South Korea, and one assignment in South Korea. Sergeant First Class Evans has been assigned to the following units: C TRP 6-1 CAV Fort Bliss, TX, B TRP 2-15 CAV, Fort Benning, GA, A TRP 3-89 CAV Fort Polk, LA, B TRP 8-1 CAV, Joint Base Lewis Mcchord, WA, HHC Scouts, 2-9 INF Camp Casey, Korea, B Co 3-89 AR, Fort Knox, KY, B TRP 4-10 CAV, Fort Carson, CO, and G TRP 3ACR, Fort Carson, CO.
Sergeant First Class Evans’s military education includes Combat Pistol Application Course, Basic Rifle Marksmanship Course,Squad Designated Marksman Course, Basic Leaders Course, Instructor School, Drill Sergeant School, Advanced Leaders Course, Maneuver Leader Maintenance Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Master Resilience Training Course, Maneuver Senior Leaders Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, Army Combatives Course.
Sergeant First Class Evans’s awards and decorations are the, Combat Action Badge, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (12 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (7 Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 star devices), Afghan Campaign Medal (3 Star Devices) Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal Expeditionary, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award), NATO Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal(7th award), and the Order of St. George.
SFC Evans, a native of Punta Gorda,FL, is married to the former Angel Rynne of Long Beach, CA. They have one Daughter and one Son: Mercedez (24) and Anthony (22).
Sergeant First Class Bennett was born in Prince Fredrick Maryland on 20 DEC 1984. He joined the Army in May of 2005 and attended OSUT (One Station Unit Training) at Fort Knox, KY as a Cavalry Scout.
Over the course his career, SFC Bennett served as a Military Science Instructor, Observer Coach Trainer, First Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Active Component Reserve Component Observer Coach Trainer, Squad Leader, Team Leader, Highly Mobile Multiuse Wheeled Vehicle Gunner, Scout and as a Rifleman. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom three times, one deployment to Kosovo, and one assignment in Kuwait.
Sergeant First Class Bennett has been assigned to the following units: HHC (BN Scouts) 2nd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Hood Texas, C Troop 1st Squadron 7th Cavalry Regiment Fort Hood Texas, B Troop 1st Squadron (Airborne) 40th Cavalry Regiment Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson Alaska, Senior BN Scouts OC/T in HHC 1st Battalion 360th Infantry Regiment Fort Bliss Texas, D Troop 1st Battalion (Airborne) 509th Infantry Regiment in Fort Polk Louisiana, and Operations Group Task Force 4 in Fort Polk Louisiana.
Sergeant First Class Bennett’s military education includes Javelin Gunner’s Course, Commander’s Total Fitness Course, Basic Leaders Course, Airborne School, Advanced Leaders Course, Cold Weather Leaders Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Observer Coach Trainer Course, Maneuver Senior Leaders Course.
Sergeant First Class Bennett’s awards and decorations are the U.S. Army Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation(1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Superior Unit Award, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (7 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (4 star devices), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal Expeditionary, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5th award), NATO Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal(5th award), and the Order of St. Maurice.
SFC Bennett is single and has one son Vicente (Age 16).