ROTC Cadre

Lieutenant Colonel Justin Nance

Professor of Military Science
jnance1@stmarytx.edu
210-431-1500

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James “Justin” Nance, a native of southern and eastern New Mexico, received his commission from the Early Commissioning Program at the New Mexico Military Institute in 2006.

LTC Nance transitioned to Active Duty in 2009, attended the Basic Officer Leaders Course and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Fort Campbell, KY. He was stationed at Fort Hood in 2015 as the first Brigade (Iron Horse) Civil Affairs Officer (S9) with the 1st Cavalry Division. In 2020, LTC Nance deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as the SOJTF-OIR Deputy Future Plans Officer (J35).

LTC Nance is married to the lovely Major Chelsea Nance with U.S. Army Reserves and has two daughters, Hazel (3) and Cora (2).  

Master Sergeant David Conn

Senior Military Science Instructor
dconn1@stmarytx.edu
210-431-1407

Master Sergeant (MSG) Conn was born in Long Beach, CA and joined the Army in August 2008 as an 11B Infantryman after completing One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, GA.

Throughout his career, MSG Conn has served in a variety of operational and institutional assignments, including Fort Riley, Carson, Wainwright, Jackson and Benning. He deployed to Iraq while assigned to Fort Riley and to Afghanistan while assigned to Fort Carson. During his career, he has served in numerous leadership positions ranging from junior enlisted to senior noncommissioned officer roles. MSG Conn has held many positions.

He currently serves as the Senior Military Science Instructor for the St. Mary’s University Army ROTC program. MSG Conn currently resides in San Antonio with his wife and four children.

Captain Brian Nematpour

Assistant Professor of Military Science
nnematpour@stmarytx.edu
210-431-4375

Captain (CPT) Bryan Nematpour was born in Houston and joined the Army in 2006 as a 12Y Geospatial Engineer.

During his enlistment, he was assigned to the First Armor Division Headquarters, out of Wiesbaden, Germany. He deployed twice to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Surge and New Dawn. He was later reassigned to Central Command Headquarters Joint Intelligence Center, out of MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, FL. He served there as the J2 Geospatial Intelligence Team Senior Sergeant.  

He currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Military Science for St. Mary’s University ROTC.  CPT Nematpour currently resides in San Antonio with his family. He is married to Eryka Nematpour; together they have three sons, Evan, Emmett and Tobias Nematpour. 

Captain Marco Montesdeoca

Assistant Professor of Military Science
mmontesdeoca@stmarytx.edu
210-431-1117

CPT Marco “Monte” Montesdeoca is from Syracuse, New York. He was commissioned as an Active Duty Officer in Army Aviation from Syracuse University in 2016, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science.

He attended flight school at the Army Aviation Training School in Fort Novosel, Alabama. He departed Fort Wainwright in 2021 to attend the Aviation Captains Career Course and Air Cavalry Leaders Course at FT Novosel. In 2022, he served as the Bravo Troop “Silver Spurs” Commander in the 3-6 Air Cavalry Squadron, First Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.

CPT Montesdeoca currently serves as the MSII Assistant Professor of Military Science for St. Mary’s University ROTC. He lives in San Antonio with his wife Jamie Montesdeoca, together they have one son, Miles and one dog Banksy. 

Captain Ariel Rogers

Assistant Professor of Military Science
arogers8@stmarytx.edu
210-436-3415

CPT Ariel Rogers was born and raised in northern Texas. She graduated from Texas Tech University, where she commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation Branch in May of 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology.

After graduating in 2019, CPT Rogers was assigned to the Fourth Combat Aviation Brigade in Fort Carson, Colorado, where she served as a Platoon Leader. In 2021, CPT Rogers continued to serve as an Assistant S3 for the 2-4 General Support Aviation Battalion. In 2022, she was selected to serve as the fourth Combat Aviation Brigade Command Group Adjutant. From 2023 to 2024, she served as the commander of Alpha Company, 3-4 Assault Helicopter Battalion.

CPT Rogers is married to her husband Steven, and they have two wonderful daughters, Amelia and Avery.

Captain Christopher Joswick

Assistant Enrollment Officer
cjoswick@stmarytx.edu
210-431-3415

CPT Christopher Joswick was born in Yardley, PA and commissioned through ROTC in 2021 as an 11A Infantry Officer.

Previous to this assignment, he was assigned to the Sabre Squadron, Third Cavalry Regiment in Fort Hood, Texas. He completed one rotation to South Korea at Camp Casey. 

He currently serves as the Assistant Enrollment Officer for Saint Mary University ROTC.  CPT Joswick currently resides in San Antonio.

Chez Varela

Recruiting Operations Officer
cvarela@stmarytx.edu
210-436-3011

Frederick Nash

Human Resource Assistant
fnash2@stmarytx.edu
210-431-1108

Charles Holland

Human Resource Assistant
cholland@stmarytx.edu
210-431-1511

Tina Smith

Logistics Technician
tsmith26@stmarytx.edu
210-431-2153