COMMANDING OFFICER, NORTH CAROLINA PIEDMONT CONSORTIUM
Captain Brian Tanaka, United States Navy, brian.tanaka@duke.edu
Capt. Brian Tanaka, a Minnesota native, commissioned in 1996 through the Naval ROTC program at Marquette University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.
Tanaka’s sea assignments include USS Memphis (SSN 691), USS Jefferson City (SSN 759), executive officer aboard USS West Virginia (SSBN 736), and commanding officer aboard USS Minnesota (SSN 783). During his sea tours, Tanaka completed deployments to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility, as well as two strategic deterrent patrols.
Tanaka’s shore assignments include serving as flag lieutenant to the deputy chief of naval operations, submarine warfare division; the assistant nuclear and submarine community manager for the office of the chief of naval personnel; deputy director and Navy liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives; and deputy commander, Task Force 69, U.S. 6th Fleet.
Tanaka holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Catholic University of America, Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College and is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI program in International Affairs and Foreign Policy.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and various unit and campaign awards. He is most proud of the awards earned as a result of excellent teamwork, resilience and battle readiness.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NORTH CAROLINA PIEDMONT CONSORTIUM
Captain Roger S. Kerstetter, United States Marine Corps
Maj Roger Kerstetter is from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Marine Corps November 2003. He completed recruit training at MCRD Parris Island. Following recruit training; Maj Kerstetter attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC. He then attended Marine Occupational Specialty (MOS) School at Fort Leonardwood, MO. Upon completion, he was assigned the MOS 3531, Motor Vehicle Operator.
Maj Kerstetter reported to 3d Transportation Support Battalion, 3d Force Service Support Group, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan in June of 2004. In December 2004, he supported Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE in response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
In June 2006, Maj Kerstetter was transferred to 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC and in December 2006 was transferred to 8th Marine Regiment. In May 2008, he was promoted meritoriously to the rank of Sergeant. Maj Kerstetter was assigned as Platoon Sergeant and Regimental Motor Transport Operations Chief while at 8th Marine Regiment. In January 2009 he deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with Regimental Combat Team 8, serving as the Unit Movement Control Chief.
In May 2010, Maj Kerstetter was transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. In September 2010 Maj Kerstetter attended Sergeant’s Course at the Staff Non-commissioned Officer Academy, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. He was a distinguished graduate and the class 6-10 First Sergeant. During his tour in Iwakuni, he completed Martial Arts Instructor Course and supported Operation TOMADACHI in response to the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Northern Japan.
In May 2012, Maj Kerstetter attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va. Upon completion, Maj Kerstetter was enrolled at the Pennsylvania State University to study Energy, Business, and Finance as part of the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program. Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) Kerstetter commissioned as an officer August 2015.
In July 2016, Maj Kerstetter attended Assault Amphibian Officer School at Camp Pendleton, CA. Upon graduation, Maj Kerstetter reported to 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2d MarDiv, Camp Lejeune, NC where he was the Platoon Commander for the Mine Counter Measure Platoon. He was then assigned as the AAV Platoon Commander for Battalion Landing Team 1/2 on the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit where he supported Operation ODYSSEY RESOLVE.
In September 2019, Maj Kerstetter completed Marine Security Guard Officer’s Course and reported to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, Region 2 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), serving as the Executive Officer for an O-5 command. While in UAE, he completed the Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program as a distinguished graduate. In August 2021, he supported Operation ALLIES REFUGE processing Afghan refugees in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He then completed a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University. In October 2021 he was selected as a Middle Eastern Regional Affairs Officer. In 2021, Maj Kerstetter conducted a lateral move to become a MAGTF Intelligence Officer. He completed resident EWS in Quantico, Virginia in May 2023.
In August 2023, he served as the Battalion Intelligence Officer and Officer in Charge for three Littoral Reconnaissance Teams, Scouts, small unmanned aircraft systems, and Signals Intelligence Electronic Warfare at the 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division. While at the unit he completed the Advanced Maneuver Warfare Course at Twentynine Palms, CA certifying as an Intelligence Tactics Instructor and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence from the Naval Postgraduate School. In both 2024 and 2025, he completed deployments to the Philippines for Exercise Balikatan.
In July of 2025, Maj Kerstetter reported to the North Carolina Piedmont Region Consortium, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and assumed the role of Executive Officer.
Major Kerstetter’ s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th award), and Combat Action Ribbon. Maj Kerstetter is married to Rebecca Alomar of Manhattan, NY. They have one child, Scott 16.
LIEUTENANT ADVISORS
Lieutenant Daniel Johnston, Submarine Officer, daniel.johnston@duke.edu
LT Johnston is the Operations officer as well as the Junior/Senior Advisor for the North Carolina Piedmont Consortium at Duke. He is responsible for professional development, battalion operations, and instruction in the 200 and 300 curriculums.
LT Johnston earned his commission at the United States Naval Academy in May 2019, where he received his degrees in Nuclear Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. He was certified by the US Sailing Association and United States Navy to offer sailing lessons for those pursuing their Skipper-B certification. In November 2019, he reported to NPTC in Charleston, SC to become a nuclear submarine officer.
Starting in May 2021, he served on the SSN Columbia (SSN 771) out of Pearl Harbor, HI as a Nuclear Engineer Qualified Submarine Officer. He served as mission Officer of the Deck and Engineering Officer of the Watch for a 2021 South Pacific Deployment and a 2023 West Pacific Deployment. Held collateral duties as Operations Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Cyber Officer. LT Johnston reported to Duke NROTC in February 2024.
MARINE OFFICER INSTRUCTOR
ASSISTANT MARINE OFFICER INSTRUCTOR
Gunnery Sergeant Wade Perry, United States Marine Corps, richard.perry@duke.edu
Gunnery Sergeant Perry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 12 December 2012 and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He graduated recruit training on 1 March 2013 and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class. On 13 March 2013, Private First Class Perry reported to the School of Infantry in Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon completion on 11 April 2013, Private First Class Perry reported to Assault Amphibious School Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California.
After graduating and earning the military occupational specialty of 1833, Assault Amphibian Crewmember, he then reported on 9 August 2013 to Alpha Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Private First Class Perry was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 1 October 2013 and was subsequently assigned responsibilities as an Assault Amphibian Vehicle Commander. While serving as a vehicle commander, Lance Corporal Perry conducted an Integrated Training Exercise package at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, California in February of 2014. In July of 2014, Lance Corporal Perry attended and successfully completed the Assault Amphibian Vehicle Commanders Course aboard Camp Lejeune, NC.
Lance Corporal Perry was promoted to the rank of Corporal on 1 October 2014. In February 2015, Corporal Perry took part in the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan. While in Okinawa, Corporal Perry attended Combat Assault Battalion's Corporals Course. Shortly thereafter, Corporal Perry deployed to South Korea and conducted training at Camp Rodriguez. In August of 2015, Corporal Perry returned to Camp Lejeune. In October of 2015, Corporal Perry executed orders to Assault Amphibian School Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California to begin duties as an instructor for the Assault Amphibian Vehicle Crewmember Course.
On 1 October 2016, Corporal Perry was promoted to Sergeant and was hand selected to move from Platoon Sergeant of Assault Amphibian Crewmember Course Team 3, to become a platform instructor of the Assault Amphibian Officer and the Assault Amphibian Unit Leader course. In July 2018, Sergeant Perry reported to Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. In October 2018, Sergeant Perry reported to 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Bravo Company, where he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor.
He was hand selected in September of 2020 to be the 1st Recruit Training Battalion Drill Master. In October of 2021, Staff Sergeant Perry reported to 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, where he was assigned to Bravo Company, as a Section Leader. In February 2022, he was selected to deploy in a heightened billet in support of Operation Cold Response with the II MEF. Following that, he reported to Assault Amphibian Unit Leaders Course, where he was the honor graduate. He was then assigned as a Platoon Sergeant in Alpha Company, 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion. In January of 2024, Staff Sergeant Perry reported to his current job at the University of North Carolina and Duke University where he is the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor. In July of 2024 Staff Sergeant Perry was promoted to his current rank Gunnery Sergeant. Gunnery Sergeant Perry's awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in lieu of 2nd award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in lieu of 3rd award.
HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT
Mrs. Luz Grazioso, luz.grazioso@duke.edu
I am the Human Resources Assistant at NROTC Duke University. My former job was at the Navy Talent Acquisition Group Empire State as HRA/Officer processor. I have over 20 years of Human Resources Assistant experience which includes military time. I was in the Navy for eight years and I’m proud to be a Navy Veteran. I enjoyed my time onboard the USS John F. Kenney (CV 67). My most favorite port was Dubai and Malta. I earned my Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration degree from Columbia College in 2017. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we have three beautiful children. We recently moved from New Jersey to North Carolina. As a family we loved eating together at the dinner table. We like to go to new places and see new things.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Mr. Tommy Thompson, tommy.thompson@duke.edu
I reported to the NROTC NCPR Consortium as a YNC(SW/AW) on active duty in November 2006. I served as the ADMIN LCPO for the three schools of NROTC NCPR Consortium. As the Admin LCPO for the consortium, I was responsible for the supervision of the active duty administrative personnel and government employees assigned to the NROTC NCPR Consortium. After spending 23 years on active duty, I retired and began my job as the Administrative Assistant for the Naval Science Department at NROTC, Duke University in September of 2009.