ROTC Cadre

Lieutenant Colonel Justin Nance

Professor of Military Science 

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James “Justin” Nance, a native of southern and eastern New Mexico, received his commission from the Early Commissioning Program at the New Mexico Military Institute in 2006.

LTC Nance transitioned to Active Duty in 2009, attended the Basic Officer Leaders Course and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell, KY. He was stationed at Fort Hood in 2015 as the 1st Brigade (Iron Horse) Civil Affairs Officer (S9) with the 1st Cavalry Division. In 2020, LTC Nance deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as the SOJTF-OIR Deputy Future Plans Officer (J35).

LTC Nance is married to the lovely Major Chelsea Nance with U.S. Army Reserves and has two daughters, Hazel (3) and Cora (2).  

Master Sergeant Joseph Huntersmith

Senior Military Science Instructor 

 MSG Joseph Huntersmith is from Central PA. His military occupational specialty (MOS) is 13Z, Field Artillery Senior Sergeant.

He enlisted in the Army on 28 July 2005 and attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was awarded the primary MOS of 13B, Cannon Crewmember. 

Captain Brian Nematpour

Assistant Professor of Military Science  

CPT Bryan Nematpour was born in Houston, TX and joined the Army in 2006 as a 12Y Geospatial Engineer.

During his enlistment he was assigned to the 1^st Armor Division Headquarters, out of Wiesbaden Germany. He deployed twice to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Surge and New Dawn. He was later reassigned to Central Command Headquarters Joint Intelligence Center, out of MacDill Airforce Base, Tampa, FL. He served there as the J2 Geospatial Intelligence Team Senior Sergeant.  

He currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Military Science for Saint Mary University ROTC.  CPT Nematpour currently resides in San Antonio, TX with his family. He is married to Eryka Nematpour and together they have three sons, Evan, Emmett and Tobias Nematpour. 

Captain Marco Montesdeoca

Assistant Professor of Military Science 

CPT Marco “Monte” Montesdeoca is from Syracuse, New York. He was commissioned as an Active Duty Officer in Army Aviation from Syracuse University in 2016, where he graduated with a Bachelor in Exercise Science.

He attended flight school at the Army Aviation Training School in Fort Novosel, Alabama. He departed Fort Wainwright in 2021 to attend the Aviation Captains Career Course and Air Cavalry Leaders Course at FT Novosel. In 2022 he served as the Bravo Troop “Silver Spurs” Commander in 3-6 Air Cavalry Squadron, 1^st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.

CPT Montesdeoca currently serves as the MSII Assistant Professor of Military Science for St. Mary’s University ROTC. He lives in San Antonio with his wife Jamie Montesdeoca, together they have one son Miles and one dog Banksy. 

Captain Brian Obinna Pauls

Assistant Professor of Military Science 

CPT Brian Obinna Pauls is a native of Missouri City, Texas. He commissioned into the Army through Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning in 2018.

Since commissioning and becoming an Engineer Officer, he has held multiple positions in his previous unit at Fort Hood, Texas. CPT Pauls holds a BS in Biology and Minor in Chemistry from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). 

CPT Pauls’ awards and decorations include the Army Commendation medal, Army Achievement medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service medal and Overseas Ribbon. 

Master Sergeant Zachariah Oeland

Military Science Instructor

Sergeant First Class Zachariah P. Oeland enlisted in the Army in 2006 and attended One Station Unit Training as an 11B (Infantryman) at Fort Benning, Georgia.

His initial assignment was to the 1st Squadron, 33^rd Cavalry Regiment, 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne Division, out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served as a Squad Automatic Rifleman.  

SFC Oeland has been married to Cortney Oeland since 2006 and they have two children Gavin and Paislee.  

Tina Smith, Logistics Technician

Assistant Professor of Military Science