Colonel's Battalion

LTC Livingston
Professor of Military Science
(859) 622-1207

Lieutenant Colonel Richard M. Livingston was commissioned through the Early Commissioning Program as a Field Artillery Officer in 1985.  LTC Livingston was the Commander of 2-410th FA Battalion before arriving at EKU.  LTC Livingston graduated from the US Army Airborne, Air Assault, and Ranger Schools.  His decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Army Achievement Medal. He is married to the former Dana J. Farley from Cedar Knolls, NJ, and they have three children; Matthew 18, Ashleigh 15, and Sean 13.

MAJ Slusher
MSIII Instructor
(859) 622-1211

Major Raymond Alan Slusher serves as the Assistant Professor of Military Science/Operations Officer, and also teaches Military Science 301/302.  He is a 25 year veteran of the Kentucky Army National Guard (KYARNG), and has served full time in that capacity since 1997.  He has deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle (Germany), Operation Joint Forge (Bosnia), and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).  His awards include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal. He is married to CPT Eva Slusher.  They have two children: Sara Crouch, 15; and Savannah, 2.

MAJ Allen Back is the Recruiting Operations Officer at EKU and has over 20 years service in the United States Army.  He has distinguished himself during his career and his decorations include the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Iraq Defense Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars), and the Army Overseas Ribbon.

MSG Gilbert
MSI and MSII Instructor
(859) 622-1213

MSG Phillip S. Gilbert has distinguished himself with 25 years of active duty service with tours to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Rwanda and Panama, as well as over 10 years throughout Europe.  His decorations include The Combat Action Badge, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters.  He is a graduate of the Air Assault School, the First Sergeant’s Course, the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer’s Course and a member of the Sergeant Morales Club. He is a native of Clay County, Kentucky.

SFC Hall
Kentucky Army National Guard Recruiter
859-622-1206

Sergeant First Class Michael Hall serves as our Kentucky Army National Guard (KYARNG) liaison NCO and Recruiter.  He is an EKU alumnus, and has served the program since 2003. He is a 24 year veteran of the KYARNG, with ten years service as an infantryman, achieving the position of Platoon Sergeant before transferring to the recruiting force. He has been recognized multiple times as one of the top recruiters in the KYARNG, and forged the foundation of our KYARNG – EKU ROTC partnership.

Mrs. Horn
Human Resource Assistant
(859) 622-1209

Mrs. Patricia Horn has over 30 years of federal civilian service, and has been the Human Resources Technician at the Colonels’ Battalion since 1997. She has received numerous Sustained Superior Service Awards, and the Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service.  She and her husband of 39 years, Ronnie, have one son and three grandchildren.

Mrs. Thacker
Supply Tech
(859) 622-1221

Mrs. Thacker has worked as a Department of the Army Civilian employee for over 28 years, and served this ROTC program for the past 21 years as our Supply Technician. Her years of selfless service and devotion to this program have been a key ingredient to our many successes and reputation as one of the top ROTC programs in the 7th Brigade.

Mrs. Lainhart
Administrative Assistant
(859) 622-1205

Mrs. Lainhart has been employed by EKU since August 1990, and with the Military Science Department since 1996. In addition to performing administrative duties for the department, Ms. Lainhart provides a critical link between our Military Cadre and the University. She resides in Richmond with her husband, Tim.