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.).

CSM Jones is from Millbrook, Alabama. She enlisted in the Army in 1997 at Fort McClellan, Alabama as a Chemical Operations Specialist. Her assignments include: CBRN Specialist- Fort Campbell, KY; CBRN NCO- Camp Carroll, Korea; Hunter Army Airfield, GA; CBRN Instructor- Fort Jackson, SC; Drill Sergeant- Fort Jackson, SC; Platoon Sergeant- Fort Bragg, NC; First Sergeant- Joint Base Elemendorf- Richardson, AK; Team Sergeant- Aberdeen Proving Ground and Division CBRNE Sergeant Major-Fort Carson, CO. CSM Jones’ military schools include Basic Leader’s Course, Advanced Leader’s Course, Senior Leader’s Course, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Drill Sergeant School, Master Resilience Course, Jumpmaster, Airborne, and Air Assault Course.

CSM Jones’ awards include Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (7 knots) National Defense Service Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (5), Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Ribbon (3OLC).

CSM Jones has deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response, to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Resolute Support. She has been inducted into the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and the Honorable Order of the Dragon. She has completed her Associate’s degree in General Studies from the University of Phoenix, her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College, and her dual Master’s degree in Human Services with a specialty in Not-for Profit Management from the University of the Rockies and Master’s degree in Business Administration with a specialty in Healthcare Management from American Intercontinental University.