Cadre
Lieutenant Colonel Mark P. Hayes
Lieutenant Colonel Mark P. Hayes grew up in Allendale, Michigan. He graduated from Cedarville University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and was commissioned as an Aviation Officer through the ROTC program in April 2004. After commissioning, he attended the Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) course followed by the AH-64D Flight School XXI and finally the Aviation Officer Basic Course. His first assignment was to Fort Hood, Texas, serving as an Attack Aviation Platoon Leader in the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. During his time as a Platoon Leader, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 06-08. Once he returned from the deployment, he was reassigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division as a Brigade Aviation Officer and was promoted to the rank of Captain. He deployed again in support of OIF 08-10 where he served as the Brigade night Chief of Operations. Following the deployment, he attended the Aviation Captains Career Course and received orders to South Korea where he took command of A Company, 4-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion (ARB) in 2010.
Upon completion of Company Command, he was assigned as an Attack Aviation Observer/Controller/Trainer at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, CA. Following promotion to Major in 2014, he attended the Naval War College to complete his Intermediate Level Education (ILE) and graduated with a Master’s degree in National Defense and Strategic Studies. He was then assigned to 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). He then completed flight training to transition to the AH-64E and served as the Attack Aviation Battalion Executive Officer and Operations Officer in 1-229th ARB. He deployed as the Brigade Operations Officer with 16th Combat Aviation Brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan. Most recently he completed a broadening assignment in Lille, France and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Here he was assigned as an Operations Planner Team Chief in the Rapid Reaction Corp-France, supporting the NATO mission in Europe.
Lieutenant Colonel Hayes is married to Anna Avery-Hayes and they have two children: Samuel (8) and Clara (4). His military awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, Senior Aviator Badge, Parachutist’s Badge, Bronze Star Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters).
Master Sergeant Charles Knight
Master Sergeant Charles Knight enlisted in the Army in 2009 as an Infantryman. Upon completion of Airborne School, he was assigned to 4th Brigade Combat team (BCT), 82nd Airborne Division in North Carolina. He immediately deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of a Personal Security Detachment where he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Upon redeployment, he was assigned to the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) under 4th BCT, where he served as a Team Leader. In 2012, he was deployed again to Afghanistan as a Team Leader in Bravo Company, 1-508th PIR in support of Operation Righteous Endeavor.
In 2013, MSG Knight received orders to 4th BCT (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division based in Alaska. Assigned to 4th BCT’s 1-501st PIR, MSG Knight held the positions of Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. In 2017, MSG Knight was selected for Sergeant First Class and deployed for a third time to Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support. Upon completion of his Platoon Sergeant time, MSG Knight attended the Drill Sergeant Academy and served as a Drill Sergeant for 1-50th Infantry Battalion in Fort Benning, GA until 2021. After arriving back to the 82nd MSG Knight assumed responsibility of Apache Company 2-508th PIR as the First Sergeant in July of 2022. In November 2023 MSG Knight was selected to serve as the First Sergeant for Headquarters Company of 1-325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Upon completion of his First Sergeant time MSG Knight was assigned as the Senior Military Science Instructor of Creighton University’s ROTC program.
MSG Knight has completed many schools to include Airborne School, Basic Leaders Course Commandant’s List (CL), Advance Leaders Course (CL), Equal Opportunity Leaders Couse, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Unit Movement Officer Course, Cold Weather Leaders Course, CBRN Defense Course, Combative Master Trainer Course, 75th Ranger Regiment Master Breacher Course, Drill Sergeant Academy, Jumpmaster School, Pathfinder School and Senior Leaders Course (CL) and the Master Leaders Course. He has also earned the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Combat Infantryman Badge, and received his Senior Parachutist Wings.
MSG Knight has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Post University and is actively working on his MBA.
Master Sergeant Brett Oldenburger
Brett Oldenburger was born and raised near Waverly, IA and enlisted as an Infantryman in the United States Army in May 2003. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning Georgia. His previous duty assignments include: HHC First Sergeant for 2-87 IN BN Catamounts at Ft. Drum NY. First Sergeant, A co 2-87 IN BN, Ft Drum, NY; First Sergeant, C co 2-10 IN BN, Ft Leonard Wood, MO; Senior Drill Sergeant, B co 2-10 IN BN, Ft Leonard Wood, MO; Platoon Sergeant, B co 1-17 IN BN, Fort Lewis, WA; Senior Observer Controller Trainer, 3-10 TS BN Fort McCoy, WI; Observer Controller Trainer, 3-10 TS BN, Fort McCoy, WI; Squad Leader, A co 1-21 IN BN, Schofield Barracks, HI; Team Leader, HHC 2-5 IN BN, Schofield Barracks, HI.
He deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 04-05, and twice to Iraq in support of operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 and Operation New Dawn 10-11.
He is a graduate of the Master Leader Course, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leader Course, Warrior Leader Course, Company Commander/First Sergeant Pre-Command Course, Marksmanship Master Trainer Course, Drill Sergeant School, Basic and Tactical Combatives Course, Battle Staff, Master Resilience Trainer, Equal Opportunity Leader Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Small Group Instructor Training Course, and Operational Security Planner Course.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (1 oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (8 oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star), Iraq Campaign Medal (3 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge- Driver Wheeled Vehicle, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
He is married to the former Kesley Lamfers of Sumner, IA and they have four children: Emery, Owen, Aubrey, and Theodore.
MAJ Jeremy Zar
Major Jeremy Zar grew up in Rockledge, PA which is a suburb outside northeast Philadelphia. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2010 with a degree in Secondary Education while simultaneously commissioning as a Second Lieutenant from the ROTC program. Major Zar began his Officer career in the Infantry and upon graduating the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Moore, GA he reported to 1st Armored Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, GA. He deployed as a Platoon Leader in 2011-12 to Afghanistan where he supported Village Stability Operations in Kandahar Province. Following the deployment, he served as the Battalion Adjutant until transitioning to the Army Reserve as a Captain in 2015.
Throughout 2015 to 2019, Major Zar was assigned to the 77th Sustainment Brigade S3 Section at Fort Dix, NJ where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and Mobilization Planning Officer. With the transition to the Army Reserve also came a branch change from Infantry to Logistics. This was formalized upon graduating Logistics Captains Career Course in 2017. Further logistics knowledge was gained through graduating the Theater Sustainment Planners Course in 2019. In 2019 the 77th deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait with a mission to facilitate sustainment throughout the entire Middle East and Afghanistan area of operations. While on ground in Kuwait he took command of the 77th Headquarters and Headquarters Company. The unit returned stateside in 2020 and later that year Major Zar attained his current rank and joined the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program.
Major Zar transferred to a Training Support Battalion in Houston, TX under the 85th Training Division in 2020. He initially served as the Battalion’s Operations Officer before becoming the Battalion Executive Officer. His efforts were largely spent preparing the unit for its 2023 stateside mobilization where its mission would be to support Fort Bliss, TX by helping to train and validate deploying National Guard units. During this time, Major Zar also completed his Common Core Intermediate Level Education.
His military awards and decorations include the Parachutist’s Badge, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), and Army Achievement Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters). He also has earned the gold German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and a Norwegian Foot March Badge.
1LT Ty Tucker
1LT Ty Tucker grew up in Stromsburg, NE. He graduated from Wayne State College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Art Education. He enlisted into the Nebraska National Guard in 2002 as a Chemical Specialist with the 173rd Chemical Company out of Nebraska City, NE. In 2006 he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 06-08 as a Convoy Commander with the 754th Chemical Company out of O’Neill, NE. Upon returning from deployment from Iraq then SGT Tucker finished his college degree and took a temporary full-time position with the 1/209th Regional Training Institute in Ashland, NE teaching Basic Leadership Course with the National Guard. In 2012 he accepted his first full-time position with the 72nd Civil Support Team out of Lincoln, NE working closely with local, state, and federal first responders. In 2019, he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned into the Nebraska National Guard as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Officer on May 4, 2020. His first assignment as an officer was as the Operations Officer with the 72nd Civil Support Team where he stayed until joining the Creighton Army ROTC team in July of 2023.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Metal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Air and Space Achievement Metal, Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Metal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge- Driver Wheeled Vehicle.
He is married to the former Anne Willis of O’Neill, Nebraska and they have eight children together: Mya (15), Adalyn (13), Wesley (11), Amelia (9), Olivia (7), Elliott (4), Leah (2) & Felicity (1). In his spare time he enjoys a good DIY project and is a board game enthusiast.
SFC Chad Fields
Chad Fields is originally from Loveland, OH, and enlisted as an Infantryman during his senior year of High School in 2006. He attended and graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, GA. Previous duty assignments include: First Sergeant, A Co, 2-3 IN REG, 1-2 SBCT, JBLM, WA; Platoon Sergeant, C Co, 2-3 IN REG, 1-2 SBCT, JBLM, WA; Senior Drill Sergeant, C Co, 2-13 IN REG, Fort Jackson, SC; Rifle Squad Leader, C Co, 1-506 IN REG, 4th BCT, Fort Campbell, KY; Team Leader, A Co, 1-505 PIR, 3rd BCT, Fort Bragg, NC; Scout, B Trp, 38 CAV, 504th BFSB, Fort Hood, TX.
He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008-2009, and twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom between 2011-2013.
He is a graduate of Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Basic Leaders Course, Drill Sergeant School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Advanced Situational Awareness Basic Course, Unit Armorers Course, and Combatives Level One.
His awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal (7th Award), Army Achievement Medal (12th Award), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (2nd Award), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Over Seas Ribbon (Numeral 2), NATO Medal, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge.
He is married to Samantha, and they have two children: Everett and Theodore.
Ms. Mikaela Harvey
Ms. Mikaela Harvey is from Monument, Colorado and is an alumnus of Creighton University. Mikaela attended Creighton on an ROTC scholarship and commissioned in May of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She minored in both Environmental Science and Military Science. Upon commissioning, she joined the Nebraska National Guard as a Medical Services Officer and served in the Support Operations (SPO) section of the 110th Multifunctional Medical Battalion (MMB) as the Force Health Protection Officer. Ms. Harvey was next assigned as platoon leader for the 313th Medical Company Ground Ambulance (MCGA) where she participated in the largest coalition force live fire exercise held in the United States.
Upon the casing of the 313th MCGA’s colors, she was assigned to HHT 1-134th Cavalry Squadron (39th IBCT) where she became the Field Medical Assistant from November 2019 to December 2021. During this time, she had the privilege to serve with a combat arms unit and be involved in the Civil Unrest State Activation in 2020. She was the Deputy Officer In Charge (OIC) of two COVID State Missions where she worked closely with Army and Air National Guardsmen, as well as Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). In July of 2021, the Cavalry Squadron successfully completed a rotation at Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Ft. Polk, LA.
Ms. Harvey is currently serving as a First Lieutenant in the Nebraska Medical Readiness Detachment in Lincoln, NE. She is pending promotion to Captain and will attend Medical Captain’s Career Course and 70H Health Services Plans and Operations Course in the next year.
In May 2022, Ms. Harvey earned her Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Kansas City University. She returned to the Black Wolves Battalion as part of the Cadre Team in July of 2022 and teaches the freshmen Cadets.
Awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Ms. Harvey is the third of four children, and she has three wonderful nephews. She is an avid reader and has a passion for family and helping others.
Ms. Sandra Lopez-Padilla (Human Resource Administrator)
Mr. Todd Frerichs (Recruiting Operations Officer)
