Staff
Office Staff
Sheryl Ballard – Administrative Associate IV
Joined the Texas A&M NROTC Unit in February 2016 as Administrative Associate to the Professor of Naval Science. She loves spending time with her family, serving at FBC Bryan, and getting to know the students at the NROTC Unit.
Mrs. Tammara Gonzalez – Administrative Assistant
Joined the NROTC Unit at Texas A&M in April of 2011 upon retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Legalman after 21yrs of active service.
Marci K. Ward – Human Resource Assistant
Joined the TX A&M NROTC Unit on June 21, 1982.
Kristen Hanford – Human Resource Assistant
Joined the NROTC unit at Texas A&M in June of 2022. Graduated from Southern Nazarene University with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She is an Army Air Defense Artillery veteran relocating from Tinker AFB, OK.
Jimmy Ding – Supply Technician
Joined the NROTC unit at Texas A&M in March of 2021 upon graduating from Western Governor’s University with an MBA. From 2010-2014, he served aboard the USS Halyburton (FFG40) in Mayport, Florida, and he was transferred to shore duty at ACB1 Coronado, CA, from 2015-2019.
Navy Staff
LT Andrew “MOFIT” Bentley – Naval Science Instructor
Graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aircraft Systems May of 2013. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School (OCS) in the Spring of 2014. In 2016, he joined HSM-35 Magicians in Coronado, CA, as a Naval Aviator. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC team in March 2020.
LT David Pierre – Naval Science Instructor
Graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in Spring of 2011. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School (OCS) in the Summer of 2015. Most recently he served as Chief Engineer onboard USS CORONADO (LCS-4) from 2019-2021. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC team in June 2021.
LT William de Groh – Naval Science Instructor
Graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science in the Spring of 2016. He commissioned through the NROTC program at Texas A&M University. He served aboard USS Wasp (LHD-1) in Norfolk, VA as the 2nd Division Officer, Search and Rescue Officer and Internal Communications Officer from 2016-2018. He also conducted a homeport shift with USS Wasp to Sasebo, Japan in the Fall of 2017. He went on to serve aboard USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) in Yokosuka, Japan as the Assistant Operations Officer from 2018-2020. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC team in January 2021.
LT Joshua Culpepper – Naval Science Instructor
Graduated from University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in Spring of 2016 and commissioned through NROTC as a Submarine Officer. He served onboard the USS ASHEVILLE (SSN-758) in Guam as the Chemical and Radiological Assistant Officer, Operational Safety Officer, and Reactor Control Assistant. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC team in June 2021.
LT Dylan Berryman – Naval Science Instructor
Graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in May 2015. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in July 2016. In January 2019, he joined the VAW-126 Seahawks in Norfolk, VA as a Naval Flight Officer. With VAW-126, he served as the Combat Information CenterOfficer Instructor and Aircraft Division Branch Officer. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC team in February 2022.
LT Mark Gregoire – Naval Science Instructor
Graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in May 2017. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in August 2017 as a Submarine Officer. He served onboard the USS Kentucky (SSBN 7373) out of Bangor, WA as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant, and the Assistant Engineer. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC team in March 2022.
LT Daniel Ochsner – Naval Science Instructor
Graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering in May 2016. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in September 2016. He served aboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) out of Norfolk, VA as the Deck Division Officer and Operations Officer. He then served aboard the PCU John F Kennedy (CVN-79) as the Reactor Mechanical Division Officer and Assistant Reactor Electrical Assistant. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC team in April 2022.
LT Nicholas Sardo – Naval Science Instructor
Graduated from Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies in May 2017. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in April 2018. He served aboard USS Bulkeley (DDG-84) out of Norfolk, VA as the 1st Lieutenant, completing a deployment in the 2nd and 6th Fleet operational area. He then served aboard USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) as the Training Officer, completing the ship’s inaugural deployment in the 3rd and 7th Fleet operational area. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC team in December 2022.
Marine Corps Staff
Capt Aaron Getter – Marine Officer Instructor
Enlisted in 2004. Commissioned out of the Marine Enlisted Commissioning and Education Program at the University of Southern California in 2016. As a logistics officer, he served as the S-4A for 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. He joined the Texas A&M NROTC Unit in June 2020.
Capt Kathryn Quandt – Marine Officer Instructor
Graduated and commissioned from the United States Naval Academy in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics. As a combat engineer officer, she served with 9th Engineer Support Battalion and 3d Marine Logistics Group in Okinawa, Japan. She joined the Texas A&M NROTC Unit in June 2021.
GySgt Jesus Orea- Assistant Marine Officer Instructor
Incoming Staff
If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding assignment that offers the opportunity to pursue exceptional graduate education in a small town college environment, then NROTC Texas A&M might be for you. Located in College Station, Texas, it is in the heart of Texas and is a short drive to Houston, Dallas/Ft Worth or Austin. College Station combines low cost of living and exceptional housing opportunities with quality education and parks.
Serving as an NROTC Instructor at Texas A&M can provide you with one of the most rewarding experiences of your career. Navy and Marine Corps Junior Officers usually teach two classes per semester and serve as a class advisor to either Navy or Marine Corps option Midshipmen, Navy Officer Candidates or enlisted Marines participating in the MECEP program. They also serve as mentors to units within the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.
Below are the current billets for the Navy and Marine Corps staff:
| Billet | Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Naval Science Instructor | Lieutenant (Sub) | |
| Naval Science Instructor | Lieutenant (Sub) | |
| Naval Science Instructor | Lieutenant (SWO) | |
| Naval Science Instructor | Lieutenant (SWO) | |
| Naval Science Instructor | Lieutenant (Aviation) | |
| Naval Science Instructor | Lieutenant (Aviation) | |
| Marine Officer Instructor | Captain/MAJ | |
| Junior Marine Officer Instructor | Captain/MAJ | |
| Asst Marine Officer Instructor | Staff GySgt |