Cadre

Lt. Colonel Stephen Groll

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Groll is the Commander, AFROTC Detachment 505, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. He is responsible for recruiting, training, motivating and educating Air Force officer candidates by leading an AFROTC detachment that administers a comprehensive college-level officer training program. He has dual responsibilities as detachment commander and Professor of Aerospace studies. Lt Col Groll and his staff determines who is accepted, trained and ultimately commissioned into the United States Air Force.

Lt Col Stephen Groll was commissioned via ROTC in May 1991 as a distinguished graduate from New Mexico State University. He received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Government and History. He completed Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training in October 1992 at Mather AFB, CA and KC-135 Combat Crew Training School in March 1993.

His first operational assignment was Offutt AFB, Nebraska where he served as an EC/KC-135 navigator, instructor navigator, executive officer and evaluator navigator in the 2nd and 7th Airborne Command Control Squadron. He served as Assistant Chief, Stan/Eval flight prior to being reassigned to Randolph AFB, TX as an instructor at Joint Undergraduate Navigator Training. He received his Masters of Public Administration from Oklahoma University in December 1996.

Lt Col Groll reported for duty at Randolph AFB, TX in January 1997 to the 562nd Flying Training Squadron. The 562nd FTS provides academic, simulator and flying training to Air Force, Navy and International Officers to obtain the aeronautical rating of Navigator or Naval Flight Officer. He served as instructor navigator, assistant flight commander, flight commander and Assistant Operations Officer. Lt Col Groll was recognized as Flight Commander of the Quarter and as Company Grade Officer of the Quarter a total of eight times. He was distinguished as the Daughter’s of the American Revolution Instructor Navigator of the Year for 1999 and the 562 FTS Flight Commander of the Year for 1999.

Lt Col Groll returned to Offutt AFB, NE in March, 2000 to serve as Navigator on the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center, 1st Airborne Command Control Squadron. He held various positions to include squadron executive officer; operations group executive officer; Chief, Operations Group Standardization and Evaluations; and Deputy Chief of 55th Wing Staff. In July 2004, Major Groll attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. Following graduation from ACSC in Jun 2005, Lt Col Groll was assigned to Air Force Pentagon, Command and Control Capabilities Branch (AF/XORI).

While assigned to the Pentagon, Lt Col Groll served as Branch Chief for Ground Capabilities and as Chief, E-4B National Airborne Operations Center Requirements. He was responsible for providing management, oversight and advocacy of USAF-air based command and control systems. He was the Air Staff subject matter expert for the $3.8 billion E-4B program. He was selected as the Study Director for the $2.7 million dollar analysis of alternatives replacement aircraft study directed by the Secretary of Defense.

Lt Col Groll has been actively involved in promoting the Air Force and the navigator career field. He was a frequent briefer at all AFROTC field training encampments and Officer Training School – briefing over 2000 potential navigators and officers in the summer of 1999. He served as a member of the 12 FTW briefing team and was a member of the Choices Program briefing team responsible for providing guidance to San Antonio-area elementary school children.

Lt Col Groll is a former winner of the Institute of Navigation Norman P. Hays award for outstanding contribution to the advancement of navigation. He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Achievement Medal and various other unit awards

CAPTAIN DONIN R. HELMICK

Captain Captain Helmick is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at New Mexico State University, AFROTC Detachment 505. He teaches the Freshman (AS100) and Sophomore (AS200) classes and is also the Unit Admissions Officer. Capt Helmick is also the Blue Knights Honor Guard advisor.

Captain Helmick originally entered the Air Force as an Airman Basic in November 1988. Upon successful completion of Basic Training and Personnel Technical Training, he was initially assigned to the HQ Air Reserve Personnel Center at Lowry AFB CO. In 1992 he was selected for his second special duty assignment as the NCOIC of Personnel at AFROTC Det 105, University of Colorado-Boulder. Captain Helmick was selected for the AFROTC POC Early Release Program, entered AFROTC as a cadet in Jan 1999, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Dec 2000. He returned to active duty in February 2001 as the AFROTC Northwest Region’s Assistant Operations Officer.

In May 2004, Capt Helmick was assigned to Holloman AFB NM as the Squadron Section Commander of the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron In March 2006 he moved over to be the Squadron Section Commander of the 49th Maintenance Squadron.From August 2007 to December 2007, Captain Helmick was deployed to Al Udeid AB Qatar in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and the Combined Joint Task Force HORN OF AFRICA as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s Section Commander. Upon his return he was selected for AFROTC Assistant Professor of Aerospace duty and began working at AFROTC Det 505 in Jan 2008.

CAPTAIN DAVID J. MYERS

Captain David J. Myers is a developmental engineer currently serving as the Commandant of Cadets for ROTC Detachment 505 at New Mexico State University.

Captain Myers began his Air Force career in February 1990. Upon completion of basic military training at Lackland AFB, Texas, Captain Myers began technical training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, where he graduated with honors and a 95 percent test average. His first duty assignment was Lowry AFB, Colorado, where he spent the first four years of his career. As a newly assigned Airman, he immediately began receiving outstanding customer service critiques for his professionalism. After completing eighteen months in customer service, he rotated throughout Military Pay, receiving numerous awards during his tenure, some of the highlights were: Airman of the Year 1992 for Lowry AFB and AFSA First Term Airman of the Year 1993.

His arrival at his second duty station, McChord AFB, did not slow him down. In 1995 he garnered the Airman of the Year award for McChord AFB and Air Mobility Command. After pinning on Staff Sergeant, he was assigned two sections as the NCOIC, Quality Examinations and Special Actions Military Pay. He earned his Community College of the Air Force degree in Financial Management, while maintaining an impressive 3.9 GPA.

While at RAF Lakenheath, he transitioned to the Accounting Liaison section, rapidly honing his forensic accounting skills. He deployed to Cervia Air Base, Italy in support of Operation Allied Force, receiving an Achievement Medal upon return to RAF Lakenheath. While at Lakenheath he applied for and received acceptance into the highly competitive Airmen Education and Commissioning Program and promotion to Technical Sergeant.

After receiving his commission, he was assigned to the Satellite Assessment Center, Kirtland AFB, NM. He created a quality assurance program for an invaluable satellite assessment software tool. Captain Myers also served as the Satellite Assessment Software Team Lead; managing test, integration, and development schedules, while coordinating with various Air Force, DoD and national agencies.

His dedication and professionalism made him an easy choice for competitive selection as the Section Commander for the Phillips Research Site; responsible for 21 personnel programs and direct supervision of all CSS personnel.

Captain Myers’ superior performance and dedication to duty directly contributed to Captain Myers being awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal at all four of his previous duty assignments.

SECOND LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER MAHER

Second Lieutenant Maher commisioned in May 2009 From New Mexico State University as a Combat Systems Officer currently surving as the Gold Bar Recruiter. He goes to high schools and community colleges to speak about Air Force ROTC and speaks to main campus university students as well.