MAJ Natalie Hardesty
Executive Officer
Assistant Professor of Military Science
natalie.titerence@duke.edu
Major (MAJ) Natalie Hardesty was born in Alexandria, Virginia, and graduated from West Potomac High School. She commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) from Niagara University, Niagara, NY in May 2009.
MAJ Hardesty’s assignments include: 548th Division Sustainment Support Battalion (Fort Drum, NY), 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade (Bagram, Afghanistan); 1-357 Brigade Support Battalion (Joint Base Lewis-McCord), 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade (Fort Hood, Texas), 11th Tactical Theater Signal Brigade (Fort Hood, Texas); 6th Transportation Battalion (Fort Eustis, VA). MAJ Hardesty previously served as the Executive Officer for the 548th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, Brigade S3 for the 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, Brigade S4 for the 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, Company Commander in 553 CSSB, and Battalion S4 for 6th Transportation Battalion. Her operational experiences include a range of logistics positions with the 10th Mountain Division, Operations Officer Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and CJ 4 Kandahar, Afghanistan. Additionally, she deployed in Operation Spartan Shield (OSS) and Operation New Dawn.
MAJ Natalie Hardesty holds a Master’s degree from Kansas University in Supply Chain Management. Her military education includes Command and Generals Staff Officers’ Course (Resident), Theater Sustainment Planner’s Course, Operational Contract Support Course, Support Operations Course, and studied in the United Kingdom at the Defense Academy for the Strategic Broadening Program (SPC) for Strategic Planning.
MAJ Hardesty’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal- With Combat Device, Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary & Service Medals, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Overseas Ribbon (3rd Award).
CPT Tyler Sommers
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Assistant Professor of Military Science
CPT Tyler Sommers is a native of Zephyrhills, Florida. After enlisting in the Florida Army National Guard as a Military Police Soldier in February 2012, CPT Sommers served three years in the Florida National Guard while attending Saint Leo University. After graduating, he was commissioned as a Military Police Officer in May 2015 from the Saint Leo University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program, Saint Leo, Florida.
CPT Sommers’ military education includes Airborne, Air Assault, US Army Military Police Basic Officer’s Course, and the Military Police Captain’s Career Course. His civilian education includes a Bachelor degree in Business Management from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida, and he achieved a Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University.
CPT Sommers’ previous assignments include Gunner 690th Military Police Company; Assistant Battalion S-3, Fort Bragg, NC; Platoon Leader 108th Military Police Company (Airborne/Air Assault), Fort Bragg, NC; Executive Officer 42D Law Enforcement Detachment/550th Military Working Dog Detachment, Fort Bragg, NC; Corrections/Detention Operations Officer 16th Military Police Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC; Company Commander Company B, 787th Military Police Battalion.
His Awards and decorations include The Army Commendation Medal, The Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, German Armed Forces Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
SFC James Chapman
Senior NonCommissioned Officer / Senior Military Instructor
SFC James A. Chapman enlisted in the Army in 2004 as an infantryman. He served as a rifleman, automatic rifleman, machine gunner and team leader while assigned to the 11th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, CA, where he completed his first overseas combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then served as a squad leader and weapons squad leader with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Hood, TX, where he completed his second overseas combat tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He subsequently served as an Instructor/Writer with 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA, with follow on assignment as a squad leader, weapons squad leader and platoon sergeant with 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, TX, where he completed his third overseas combat tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He spent the next assignment as a Drill Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, and Operations Non-commissioned Officer with the 198th Infantry Training Brigade at Fort Benning, GA. He went on to serve as a Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Assistant Operations Sergeant Major with 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, in 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) at Fort Campbell, KY. He now serves as a Military Science Instructor, and interim Senior Military Instructor for the Bull City Battalion (Duke University and North Carolina Central University).
Mr. Sean Bruce
Senior Military Science Instructor
Jeff Daye
Director of Army ROTC Recruitment
Madeline Keels
NCCU Representative
NCCU Administrative Associate, retired from the Army after 20 years of honorable service both within the U.S. and overseas. Her areas of expertise include human resources, personnel management, finance, and customer service. Madeline earned her BS at North Carolina Central University, and is currently working on Family and Consumer Sciences Education degree with licensure at NCCU.
Rena Springer, M.S., N.C.P.T.
Duke University Liaison
Ms. Springer has been with Duke University for 9 years and is proud to be associated with Duke Army ROTC Cadre and Cadets. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University College of New York and a Master of Science degree from New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering. Ms. Springer is also a Nationally Certified Pilates Instructor.