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Michael Ariano assumed duties as a Military Science Instructor and Military Historian at Loyola University, Maryland, in August 2025. He currently serves concurrently as a Lieutenant Colonel and Battalion Commander with the 1174th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion, Army Reserve. In 2004, he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps, detailed to the Infantry. He holds a Master of Arts in Military History from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science with minors in Mathematics and Meteorology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Michael's military assignments include Assault Platoon Leader (1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division), Executive Officer, Personal Security Detail (PSD) Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Assistant Brigade S-4, Brigade RESET Officer, J-3 Current Operations Officer, Mobilization Officer, Logistical Advisor NSOCC (NATO Special Operations Component Command), Brigade S-4 (Special Operations Advisory Group), G-5 Sustainment Planner, Training and Doctrine Officer, civilian at the Pentagon supporting the G-6, Army CIO, and Center for Military History, and Battalion Commander. He served from 2004 to 2012 on Active Duty, from 2012 to 2022 in the North Carolina National Guard, and from 2022 to present in the Army Reserve. Michael has deployed twice with 10th Mountain Division and once with 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division to Iraq for a total of 35 months in theatre. He has additionally deployed to Kosovo with 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Afghanistan under NSOCC and Poland with 1st Infantry Division.
Michael’s military education includes the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Advanced Operations Course, Logistics Captain’s Career Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Army Mountain Warfare School, and Aerial Delivery School. He is a designated military historian who has rewritten the history portion of the newcomers’ booklet for all NATO Officers on the history of Kosovo and NATO in the Balkans. He is a civilian licensed pilot and member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Captain (CPT) Jacob Lee assumed duties as the Operations Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science at Loyola University, Maryland, in June 2025. He grew up in Laredo, Texas. After leaving home, CPT Lee served for two years as a full-time missionary in Rosario, Argentina. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Brigham Young University and commissioned through the university’s Army ROTC program in 2017 as an Armor Officer.
After completing the Armor Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, CPT Lee was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, “Blackhorse”, at Fort Irwin, California, where he led a Tank Platoon in Gunslinger Troop, an Anti-Tank Platoon in Killer Troop, and completed 31 National Training Center rotations. Upon completion of the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2021, CPT Lee was reassigned to 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, “Dagger”, in 2022 and deployed in support of Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce in Poznan, Poland. While deployed, he served as the Brigade Liaison to Division for 1st Infantry Division and 4th Infantry Division before serving as Company Commander of Blitz Company, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment. With Blitz Company, CPT Lee supported Operation Trident Ready.
CPT Lee’s military education includes the Cavalry Leader’s Course, Armor Basic Officer Leader Course, and Maneuver Captain’s Career Course. Outside of work, he can be found on local hiking trails with his family, fishing with his three children, or cooking dinner with his wife, Summer.
Lieutenant Colonel Evan Westgate assumed duties as the Professor of Military Science at Loyola University Maryland in August 2025. In 2000, he entered the Army as a Psychological Operations Specialist before enrolling in the ROTC Green to Gold Program and Commissioning as a Distinguished Military Graduate through Millersville University in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 2005.
His military assignments include over 10 years of service with the Airborne and Special Operations community with multiple deployments to Afghanistan. He also served with the Army Intelligence and Security Command, and most recently as Chief, Analysis and Control Element, 18th Airborne Corps.
Lieutenant Colonel Westgate served as a Platoon Trainer for the Army Officer Candidate School and as an instructor in the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Millersville University, a Master of Arts degree in Intelligence Studies from American Military University, and a Master of Education degree in Physical Education from the University of Virginia. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Military Intelligence Captains Career Course, and the Command and General Staff Course. Lieutenant Colonel Westgate is authorized to wear the Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Army Space Badge, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
He enjoys traveling the world with his wife of 19 years, Lauren, and their daughter.