Leadership

LTC LukeA. Wittmer is a native of Merriam, KS. He entered the U.S. Army on 1 June 2002 upon hisgraduation from West Point where he was commissionedas an InfantryOfficer.LTC Wittmer completed the InfantryOfficerBasic Course and Ranger School atFort Benning, GA before assignment tothe 101st AirborneDivision (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY.LTC Wittmer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion,502nd Infantry Regiment where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I(Mosul) as aRifle PlatoonLeader and later as BN Scout Platoon Leader, HHC Executive Officer, and BNRear-Detachment Commander.

He attended the Infantry Maneuver Captain’s CareerCourse atFort Benning,GA followed by the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, NC, andwas thenassigned to2nd BN, 5thSpecial Forces Group(SFG) (Airborne). Duringhis first tour of dutywith them, LTCWittmer served as theDetachment Commanderfor SFODAs 5223and 5234 during OIF VI and OIF VIIrespectively. Healso servedas the BNHQs Support CO CDR for2nd BN, 5th SFG(Airborne). LTC Wittmerattended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CAand graduated witha Masterof Science inDefense Analysis and was reassigned to 2nd BN, 5th SFG (Airborne) as the BNExecutive Officer /SOTF-WestDirector.He also commandedC CO, 2nd BN, 5th SFG (Airborne)and AOB-NorthforOperation InherentResolve I.LTC Wittmerthenserved asthe Operations Officer for the Combined Arms Center Special Operations Directorate atFort Leavenworth, KS.He attended theSchool of AdvancedMilitary Studies AdvancedMilitary Studies ProgramatFort Leavenworthgraduating witha Master of Arts in Military Operations.

His awards and decorations include the BronzeStar Medal,Meritorious ServiceMedal (5 OCL), Army CommendationMedal (1 OCL),Army Achievement Medal (1OCL), ValorousUnit Award, Meritorious UnitCommendation(2 OCL), NationalDefense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 STAR), Iraq Campaign Medal (4STARS), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (1 STAR), Global WarOn Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Army ServiceRibbon, Overseas Service Ribbon(NUM 3), NATO ISAFMedal, SpecialForces Tab, Ranger Tab, CombatInfantryman's Badge,Pathfinder Badge, MilitaryFree Fall Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge,andthe Air Assault Badge.

LTC Wittmer is married to the former Cristy D. Adkisson ofCoalfield, TN, and is the father of three sons: Jack A. Wittmer (14 Yrs.), Cole E. Wittmer (12Yrs.), and Aaron J. Wittmer (6 Yrs.).

Command Sergeant Major Paul P. DeSanto is a native of Orlando, Florida and he enlisted in the Army in September of 1997. He completed One Station Unit Training as a Military Policeman at Fort McClellan, Alabama. CSM DeSanto served as a Land & Ammo NCO, Company Operations Sergeant, Unit Mobilization Assistor, Division Provost Marshal Operations Sergeant, Installation Provost Marshal Operations Sergeant, Sergeant’s Major Course Non-resident Instructor and every Military Police leadership position from Team Leader to First Sergeant.

CSM DeSanto served in numerous units throughout his career. They include the 411th Military Police Company, Fort Hood, Texas; 57th Military Police Company, Camp Carroll, Korea; United States Army Security Force, Fort Detrick, Maryland (Installation Noncommissioned Officer of the Year); 529th Military Police Company, Heidelberg, Germany; 3rd Battalion 312th Infantry Regiment, Fort Meade, Maryland; 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 57th Military Police Company once again as a First Sergeant, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and the 733rd Security Forces Squadron (Air Force), Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. His combat and operational tours of duty include Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

CSM DeSanto is a graduate of the Unit Prevention Leaders Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, TASER Instructor Course, Battle Staff Course, Conventional Physical Security Course, Antiterrorism Officer Basic Course, Brigade Non-lethal Weapons Capabilities Set Instructor Course, and Common Faculty Development Program (formerly Army Instructors Course). His NCOES courses include the Basic Leaders Course, Advance Leaders Course (Commandant’s List), Senior Leaders Course, First Sergeant Course and the Unites States Army Sergeants Major Academy - Class 67 (Commandant’s List). He received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Grantham University and is currently pursuing his Master's of Science in Organizational Leadership from Grantham University.

CSM DeSanto’ s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (5th award), Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award), National Defense Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 bronze service stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (1 bronze service star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5th award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5th award), NATO (ISAF) Medal, Combat Action Badge, Driver Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Silver), Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. He was also awarded the Military Police Order of the Marechaussee (Bronze).

CSM DeSanto is married to the former Elizabeth Anne Kimble from Altamonte Springs, Florida and together they have one child, Zachary, who is 16 years old.