faculty
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hedegaard
Professor of Military Science at Carroll College and University of Montana
michael.hedegaard -is-at- mso -dot- umt.edu
(406) 243-4541
LTC Michael L. Hedegaard is a 1982 graduate of Whitehall High School in Whitehall Montana. He holds a 1987 Bachelor of Science in Geography from Montana State University and a 2001 Master of Military Arts and Science in History from the Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth Kansas.
LTC Hedegaard was commissioned in 1987 as an Aviation officer. Previous assignments include the 82nd Airborne Division, participating in Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. He has also completed assignments in the 11th Aviation Regiment in Illesheim, Germany, and the 1st Infantry Division in Katterbach, Germany, participating in Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo and Operation Iraqi Freedom II in Iraq.
LTC Hedegaard is qualified in the AH-64 Apache, OH-58, UH-1 and TH-55 helicopters and is a senior aviator, senior parachutist, and a graduate of the Air Assault Course. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. LTC Hedegaard is married and has two children and his hobbies include hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, and spending time with his family. He assumed command of the Grizzly Battalion on 1 August, 2004.
Major Bill Ballinger
Officer in Charge Carroll College
bballinger -is-at- carroll -dot- edu
(406) 447-5484
MAJ Bill Ballinger, MTARNG, is a Montana native who graduated from Missoula Hellgate High School and the University of Montana in 1992. While at the University of Montana, he competed as a member of the UM Cross Country and Track teams, while simultaneously completing ROTC. MAJ Ballinger was commissioned into the Montana National Guard. He earned a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the U of M in 2004.
Prior to joining the cadre at U of M ROTC, MAJ Ballinger was employed as a science teacher at Missoula Hellgate High School. His experience as an educator also includes teaching both Mathematic and Science at the 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th grade levels. MAJ Ballinger also has 9 seasons of experience as a United States Forest Service Wildland Firefighter. During his career he worked on Engine Crew, Type I Interagency Hotshot Crews (Lolo IHC), and as a squad boss on the Great Northern Type II Developmental Crew.
MAJ Ballinger's military experience consists of 15 years in both the U.S. Army Reserves and the Montana National Guard. His positions have included platoon leader, detachment commander, assistant S2/3 staff, company commander, and BN S4. He has completed both his Field Artillery Officer Basic Course and his Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course. From 2003 - 2006 MAJ Ballinger served as the Enrrollment Officer and Freshman Advisor at the UM ROTC program. Currently he is assigned as the Officer In-Charge at the Carroll College ROTC program.
MAJ Ballinger is also head coach of the brand new Men's and Women's Cross-Country program at Carroll College. He spent the past 10 years coaching Cross Country and the distance Track runners at the High School level. In his free time, he loves to hang out with his family, wife Britt, and sons Jake (9) and Henry (3), as well as Bob the Beagle! You'll find them at the lake in the summer enjoying their new ski-boat!
Sergeant First Class Ernest Conner
Senior Instructor of Military Science
econner -is-at- carroll -dot- edu
(406) 447-5485
Sergeant First Class Ernest Conner joined Carroll College late Spring Semester of 2005. Previous assignments largely involve time with the 5th Special Forces Group as the SF Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeants, SF Operations Sergeant, a National Guard Recruiter and others.
SFC Conner has participated in operations in Haiti, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan as well as others.
SFC Conner is a graduate of Special Forces Jumpmaster Course, Arabic-Egyptian Language Course and the Special Forces Sniper Course. His awards include the Master Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
SFC Conner was able to experience LDAC this past summer in Fort Lewis, WA and serve as a tactical evaluator for almost five weeks. This experience helped him immensely as he trains the MS IIIs getting ready for LDAC this summer.
SFC Conner's wife, Barb, is a former Adjutant General Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. They have three children.
Second Lieutenant Kaleigh Huddy
Gold Bar Recruiter
khuddy -is-at- carroll -dot- edu
(406) 447-5486
Second Lieutenant Kaleigh Huddy, MTARNG, originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, graduated from Carroll College in May of 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She completed 4 years of ROTC, and in July of 2007, was commissioned as a 2LT in the Medical Service Corps in the Montana National Guard.
2LT Huddy is currently serving on active duty orders as the Gold Bar Recruiter on Carroll's campus for the 2007-2008 academic year. Upon completion of her orders, she will attend her Officer Basic Course at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. She is also currently in the process of applying for a Physician's Assistant Program.
2LT Huddy lives in Helena with her boyfriend Owen.