“To commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army and to motivate young people to be better Americans.” Army ROTC provides leadership training for students who choose to serve the nation as officers in the Active Army, Army Reserves or National Guard. The combination of a MST education together with the leadership training provided through ROTC yields young Americans well poised to succeed in industry, government, academia, and the military.

Missouri University of Science and Technology Cadre & Staff

LTC William DeMalade – Professor of Military Science

CPT Chad Pense – Enrollment and Retention Officer

MSG Howery – Instructor

SFC Bonillia – Instructor

Smith-Leggett, Brenda – Supply

Mrs. Jessica Howery – Administrative Technician

LTC Bill DeMalade is a native of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and was commissioned as a Signal Officer from The University of Southern Mississippi in 1987 where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. LTC DeMalade completed Signal Officer's Basic Course at FT Gordon, GA and graduated in May 1988. He then attended and graduated from the Communications Electronics Staff Officer Course at FT Sill, OK in September 1988. His first assignment was to the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at FT Polk, LA as a Battalion Signal Officer in the 4-35th Armor Battalion. He later served as the Alpha Company XO with the 5th Signal Battalion at FT Polk, LA. LTC DeMalade then PCS'd to Korea in February 1992 where he served as the Battalion Signal Officer for the 8-8th Field Artillery Regiment. Upon completion of his tour in 1993, LTC DeMalade returned to FT Gordon for the Signal Officer's Advanced Course and the Information Systems Staff Officer Course. He was next assigned to 5th Special Forces Group at FT Campbell, KY. There, LTC DeMalade served as the Battalion Signal Officer in 1st Battalion followed by his Company Command of the 5th Special Forces Signal Detachment. After completion of 24 months in Command, LTC DeMalade returned to FT Gordon and served in the Modeling and Simulation Branch as a Functional Area 49 (Operations Research and System Analysis) officer for two years. LTC DeMalade's next assignment was the Battalion XO for the 442nd Signal Battalion at FT Gordon, GA. In 1999, LTC DeMalade received his Master of Science Degree in Operations Research from Florida Institute of Technology. After completing his degree, LTC DeMalade was assigned to the Special Operations Command - Pacific (SOCPAC) in Hawaii where he would serve in a joint billet as the Deputy Director in the J-6 Communications office. During this tour, LTC DeMalade would deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines (OEF-P) as the J-6 Director of Joint Task Force 510 (JTF 510). Upon the completion of his Joint tour in 2004, LTC DeMalade was assigned to the 10th ROTC Brigade as the Brigade XO. In May 2007, LTC DeMalade was reassigned to the Missouri University of Science and Technology as the Professor of Military Science.

LTC DeMalade's awards and decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (2); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (4); Army Achievement Medal (3); National Defense Service Medal (2 stars); Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (2); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Defense Service Medal and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

LTC DeMalade has also earned his Master Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

He is married to the former Renita F. Ponder of Mendenhall, MS, and has been blessed with one son Zachary (13yr old) and one daughter Lauren (6yr old).

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CPT Pense graduated from Mid America Nazarene University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. After attending Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Oklahoma Army National Guard, as a Fire Support Officer. During this time, he worked at Ditch Witch of Oklahoma while simultaneously completing a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling. Upon graduation, he worked two years as a career counselor for the Moore Public School system.
CPT Pense transferred to the United States Army Reserve in 1998 and spent time in the Inactive Ready Reserve before being assigned to the 1st Battalion, 379th Regiment, (Reception), 95th Division (Institutional Training), in February 2002. CPT Pense currently commands E co, 1/379th, 95th Division (IT). He is also the Enrollment Officer for the Missouri University of Science and Technology Stonehenge Battalion.

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MSG Harry C. Howery Jr grew up in Tuttle Oklahoma where he graduated high school in 1982. He entered the Army in 1983 where he attended Basic, AIT and Jump School at FT Benning, Georgia. His current assignment is the Missouri University of Science and Technology where he is the Senior Military Instructor.

Previous assignments include First Sergeant in C.CO 1-508th IN (ABN) 173rd ABN, Vicenza, Italy, Unit Trainer 3-351st IN Panama City, Florida  for the 3  -124th IN  Florida National Guard, Mortar Platoon Sergeant in 1-8 IN 4th IN Div, Rifle Platoon Sergeant C.Co 1-27 IN 25th IN Div, Schofield Barracks Hawaii , Mortar Platoon Sergeant in 3-21st IN Schofield Barracks Hawaii, Section Leader in B.Co. 1/504 PIR 82nd ABN Div.

He is a graduate of Ranger School, Jump School, Jumpmaster School and Air Assault School.
MSG Howery has participated in numerous deployments to include Desert Shield/Storm, OIF I and OEF VI.

His awards include Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Army Commendation Medal (7OLC), Army Achievement Medal (6OLC),  the Humanitarian Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge 2nd Award, Master Parachutist Wings, Air Assault Badge and Ranger Tab

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Sergeant First Class Bonilla was born in Newark, New Jersey. Grew up in Buffalo, NY. Graduated from Grover Cleveland High School 1988. Has an Associates degree in General studies from Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He enlisted in the Army in January, 1989 as a Cannon Crew member. After completing basic training and AIT at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, he was assigned to the 3ID Marne (Dog Face Soldier).  Schweinfurt, Germany. He served as an Advanced Party Man and Number 1 man before being chosen to go to Desert Storm as part of a 9 man replacement section with the 1st Armor division and spent 5 months in Saudi Arabia. Throughout his military career, SFC Bonilla’s assignments have included Led ward, Barracks, Schweinfurt Germany, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, Fort Carson, Colorado, Camp Casey and Camp Hovey, Korea, Camp Ramadi, Iraq, and Missouri University of Science and Technology ROTC program.  In 1995, SFC Bonilla was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to aid the Cuban refugees. He also completed many training missions at the National Training Center in California. As he progressed in rank, he served with distinction in demanding positions such as Gunner, Section Chief, Gunnery Sergeant, Chief of Firing Battery, and ROTC Military Science Instructor. For his leadership and efforts in these positions, he has received Bronze Star, MSN, Numerous ARCOMS, AAM’S, And the Army Volunteer award in recognition of his volunteer effort in the Lawton, Oklahoma public schools and Special Olympics’. Sergeant First Class Bonilla attended many military schools. He completed PLDC (Warrior Leaders Course), Artillery Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, and Artillery Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course. He also completed the Drill SGT School at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. Currently, he is a military science instructor at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

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Brenda Smith-Leggett is a native of Missouri. Graduated from Newburg High School and attended University of Maryland at Yokota AB, Japan.  She was very active in the community as a Girl Scout Leader, Church Youth Leader and big fan of her three daughters as a soccer, cheerleader and basketball mom. Her oldest daughter has a Doctorate of Pharmacy and works at St. Luke’s hospital in St. Louis, second daughter is a dental hygienists, wife and wonderful mother living in Springfield and youngest is a student at University of Missouri at Columbia. She has one grandson in Springfield.

As a DOD Civilian for the United States Air Force from 1980 until 1984, she worked with the 1956 Communication Division at Yokota AFB, Japan. Upon returning to Missouri in 1984 she was employed at Fort Leonard Wood from November 1984 until October 2007.  During her tenure at Ft. Wood she worked as an Administrative Assistance, Procurement Clerk and Property Book Officer for the Director of Morale Welfare Recreation Division.  In August of 2005 she transferred to the 82nd Chemical Battalion, 3rd Chemical Brigade as a Supply Technician in support of basic training of Chemical Soldiers.  In October 2007 she transferred to Missouri Science and Technology where she currently works as the Supply Technician in Logistic Support for the ROTC Program.

Brenda has attended many schools to include training in computer software, procurement, government purchase card, logistics, hazmat; she is a certified armor and holds a Missouri CDL with hazmat. She has completed the Distance Leaning School of Cadet Command and has received a diploma from Foster Technical Institution as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. She is currently taking on-line courses to obtain a Missouri Teaching Certificate to possibility substitute teach when retiring in April of 2009.

As a DOD Civilian, Brenda has received one of the highest civilian awards available, the Civilian Accommodation Medal.  She has received awards for her dedication to the morale and support of soldiers and family members during Desert Storm and Iraq Conflicts.  She has received numerous, outstanding performance awards, cash bonuses for outstanding achievements and many letters of appreciations for her endless dedication to soldiers, units, civilian and the United States Army.

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Jessica Howery is a native to Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Douglas McKay High School in Salem, Oregon and then attended Chemeketa Community College. She was very active in the Army Family Readiness Group while stationed overseas with her husband. She has completed the Army Family Team Building Instructor training and is currently the Stonehenge Battalion representative. She became apart of the team as an Administrative Assistant for the Stonehenge Battalion in April 2008.

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