Faculty & Staff
Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Rademacher
Professor of Military Science
LTC Isaac Rademacher graduated high school in 1995 and spent one year as an MS3 at New Mexico Military Institute. After four years at the United States Military Academy at West Point, he commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2000. He is a graduate of the Naval War College in Newport, RI where he earned his Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He is also a graduate of several military training courses including Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Captain Career Course, Airborne School, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Military Free Fall School, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster School, Special Operations Advanced Land Navigation Course, and the Combat Advisor Training Course.
LTC Rademacher served as a Platoon Leader and Company XO with 1-504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division where he deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 and Iraq in 2003. He then served as the operations officer and later the Company Commander for the XVIII Airborne Corps Long Range Surveillance Company, F/51st IN (LRS)(ABN), Fort Bragg, NC where he deployed to Iraq for two tours. Next, he served as the Battalion Executive Officer for 1-509th Infantry (ABN), Fort Polk, LA and led the opposing forces for the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). His next assignment was as the Brigade Operations Officer for the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC where he deployed to Kosovo. Following that assignment, he served as the Aide-de-camp for the XVIII ABN Corps Commander where he deployed to Afghanistan. Next, he served as the lead officer for the Army Airborne Board and the senior advisor to the XVIII Airborne Corps Commander for airborne operations. He then served as the Battalion Commander of 4-31 IN (Polar Bears), Fort Drum, NY. His next assignment was as the Task Force 2 Senior at JRTC in Fort Polk, LA. Most recently, LTC Rademacher served as the Battalion Commander for 2nd Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) in Fort Benning, GA where he deployed to Tunisia.
LTC Rademacher’s operational deployments include three tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, two tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and one tour in Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian. He most recently deployed as part of a small advisor contingent to conduct security force assistance operations in Tunisia in 2020.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (2 OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Ranger Tab, Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Parachutist Badge, Brazilian Airborne Wings and German Airborne Wings (Gold). He is also a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice.
LTC Isaac Rademacher is married to the former Jennifer Eilen (USMA Class of 2000) from White Plains, New York. They have two daughters – Hunter (17) and Samantha (6), and a son – Logan (11). He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys his hobbies of woodworking and automotive mechanics with his family.
Office Phone: (434) 924-6543
Email: hzb4en@virginia.edu
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Master Sergeant Brenden Shannon
Senior Military Instructor
MSG Brenden Shannon was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA where he joined the US Army in July, 2005 and attended Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, GA and then attended US Army Airborne School.
MSG Shannon was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s Long Range Surveillance Detachment (LRSD) and deployed to Afghanistan twice with the LRSD from January 2007 – April 2008 and April 2009 – April 2010. He then served as a Drill Sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Training Brigade at Fort Benning, GA. Immediately after completing his time as a Drill Sergeant, he attended the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program II and was selected to serve as a Ranger Squad Leader in 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He deployed twice with the Rangers before moving to the S3 Operations Section to become an Assistant Operations NCO in the 3rd Ranger Battalion. He was then assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA where he served as the Scout Platoon Sergeant, Rifle Platoon Sergeant and Charlie Company First Sergeant. He was then selected to serve as the Joint Base Garrison First Sergeant for Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
MSG Shannon’s military education includes: Airborne School; Warrior Leader Course; Jump Master School; Ranger School; US Army Drill Sergeant School; Pathfinder School; Advanced Leaders Course; Air Assault School; Mountain Warfare School; Heavy Weapons Leaders Course; Master Fitness Course; SHARP Victim Advocate Course; Regimental Master Breacher Course; Senior Leader Course; Master Leader Course, and the First Sergeant/Company Commander Pre-Command Course.
MSG Shannon’s awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC); Joint Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (9 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC); Expert Infantryman’s Badge; Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Parachutist Badge; Air Assault Badge; Pathfinder Badge; Drill Sergeant ID Badge; and the Ranger Tab.
MSG Shannon is married with one daughter. He is an avid reader and enjoys spending time in the outdoors.
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Captain Benjamin Rogan
Assistant Professor of Military Science
CPT Benjamin Rogan was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He grew up in the neighboring town of North Andover and later attended college at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. In 2008, he enrolled in the Bay State Battalion Army ROTC program hosted by Worcester Polytechnic Institute and finished as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the program. In May of 2010, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems with honors, and was commissioned an active duty Armor Officer in the U.S. Army.
Afterward, CPT Rogan attended the Armor Basic Officer Leader Course and Army Reconnaissance Course at Fort Knox, KY, from November of 2010 to May of 2011, before taking over a Scout Platoon in Banshee Company, 1-71 Cavalry Regiment as part of 1 st Brigade, 10 th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) stationed at Fort Drum, NY. He then served as Executive Officer of Cobra Company, 1-87 Infantry Regiment, from December of 2012 to October of 2013, while attached to 1-71 Cavalry Regiment as part of Task Force Ghost. Upon completion of duties, CPT Rogan volunteered to serve in TRADOC as a Company Executive Officer in 1-81 Armored Battalion, as part of the 194th Armored Brigade, from November of 2013 to January of 2015, helping facilitate the basic and advanced training of future 19K Tankers prior to attending the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. CPT Rogan completed the course in June of 2015 and remained an additional six months to earn a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Columbus State University. Afterward, CPT Rogan completed the Cavalry Leaders Course in January of 2016 before reassignment to 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he assumed the duties and responsibilities of Battalion Assistant Operations Officer to 1-71 Armored Regiment Steel Tigers in support of Operation Spartan Shield. While deployed, he took command of Bravo Company and then oversaw their training state-side in preparation for follow-on missions. Afterward, he served briefly as Assistant Brigade Planner before accepting a position as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Virginia.
CPT Rogan’s awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (three oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Basic Parachutist Badge, and German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Gold. Additionally, CPT Rogan holds silver spurs from the 71st Cavalry Regiment.
CPT Rogan resides in Charlottesville, Virginia with his wife and serves as the S3 Operations Officer in addition to his duties as an Assistant Professor of Military Science.
Office Phone: (434) 243-2644
Email: bjr9v@virginia.edu
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Captain Nicholas Hassell
Assistant Professor of Military Science
CPT Nicholas Hassell is originally from Richmond, Virginia. In June of 2015, he commissioned from Virginia Military Institute into the United States Army as an Ordnance officer. He completed his Basic Officer Leaders Course at Ft. Lee, Virginia shortly after.
CPT Hassell’s assignments include E Co, 4-5 ADA BN in Ft. Hood, Texas where he served as a Maintenance Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer. He also was sent on rotation to Kuwait in 2017 where he served as the Brigade Unit Movement Officer for 69th ADA Brigade. Later, he went on to Logistics Captains Career Course at Ft. Lee, Virginia and was assigned as the Deputy SPO for 210 BSB, 2nd BDE, 10 MTN Division in Ft. Drum New York. His last assignment was serving as the commander of Delta Troop, 1-89 CAV, 2nd BDE, 10 MTN DIV for 18 months prior to joining the UVA Army ROTC Program.
CPT Hassell’s military education includes Ordnance BOLC, Logistics CCC, Unit Movement Officer Course, Army Air Load Planners Course.
Office Phone: (434) 924-1300
Email: vmw2jg@virginia.edu
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SFC Mark Webb
Military Science Instructor
SFC Mark A. Webb is originally from Surf City, NJ. In June of 2006, he enlisted into the United States Army as a Military Policeman. Shortly after was sent off to Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he completed OSUT.
SFC Webb’s assignment include 501st MP CO, 1st AD Wiesbaden Germany, 65th MP CO (ABN), 503d MP BN Fort Bragg, NC, 701st MP BN as a Drill Sergeant in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, 110th MP CO, 759th MP BN Fort Carson, CO, and the Detachment Sergeant for the 227th Law Enforcement and 8th Military Working Dog Detachment in Fort Drum, NY. SFC Webb has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Just Cause (Haiti), and other Overseas Operations.
SFC Webb’s military education includes Warrior Leader’s Course, Advance Leader’s Course, Senior Leader’s Course, Battle Staff, Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor Course, Combatives, SHARP, MRT, Conventional Physical Security School, and Airborne School.
Email: gqj2te@virginia.edu
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Susan Kellett-Forsyth
Recruiting Operations Officer
Susan Puanani Kellett-Forsyth made history in 1976 when she became a member of the first class to include women in the United States Military Academy’s 178-year history. She graduated from USMA on 28 May 1980, as one of the 62 women amongst a class of 859 men. As a Commissioned U.S. Army Signal Corps officer, Susan spent years honing her skills as a military leader with assignments in Germany, Fort Bragg, and Campbell University where she served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science. After attending the elite School of Advanced Military Studies, she served as a planner for the First Infantry Division and was instrumental in developing the first U.S. – Russian Peace Keeping exercise on American soil. In January 1996, she deployed to Bosnia in support of Peace Keeping Operations during Operation Joint Endeavor. After she retired from military service, she earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma in 2003 and applied her expertise at the secondary school level in Stuttgart, Germany. She spent six years working with the non-profit group, Americans Working Around the Globe (AWAG), serving as Chairperson for two years. Her passion for AWAG’s mission resulted in her efforts to work with a talented team to train, strengthen and connect volunteers in military communities in Germany, Italy, the U.K., Belgium and the Netherlands. As a Department of the Army Civilian, she was a part of United States Africa Command in Stuttgart Germany where she worked in J5 Plans and J3 Operations. Susan is on the Board of Directors for the newly established non-profit organization, American War Memorials Overseas. Susan lives in beautiful Greenwood, Virginia with her amazing husband John. They have three wonderful children – Kaliko, David and John.
Phone: (434) 924-7101
Email: spk4e@virginia.edu
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Tracy Argabright
Human Resources Administrator
Phone: (434)924-1341
Email: tla9e@virginia.edu
