Army Ltc. Al Brauer II is an extraordinary man. He graduated from the Citadel in  1972. Connor first met Ltc. Brauer when he presented him with an award from the Cincinnati Military Officers Association of America. He was the chapter president. As chapter president he led the Cincinnati MOAA to a 5-Star Chapter Award.

We know Ltc. Al Brauer II lives by the Citadel creed. A cadet “will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.”  He is truly a man of honor.

During the Korean War, his father Major Albert Brauer served as the Chief of the Projects Branch, Psychological Warfare Division, Eighth United States Army, where he was responsible for overseeing the development of hundreds of propaganda leaflets. Later he served as commander, Head quarters Staff, of the Psychological Warfare School of the Army at Ft. Bragg, N.C. From 1957 to 1961 he was a military instructor with the Kent State University Army ROTC department. He retired from active military service with the rank of lieutenant colonel. 

Al Brauer II is an extremely loyal Citadel alumnus and very important as a mentor to Connor. He makes at least one trip to the Citadel every year.

Mr. Brian Gillo was an Army Captain and currently works at GE Healthcare where he's extremely active in the GE Veteran's Network and leads the Community Outreach and PTS Suppot Pillar. He graduated from the United States Military Academy with a BS and later received  an MBA from UT Knoxville. Mr. Gillo spent his active duty time at Fort Hood, TX and was deployed to NE Baghdad, Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqui Freedom II where he was awarded the Bronze Star. 

Captain Gillo also volunteers as Field Admissions Representative for West Point and he coaches youth soccer in  Loveland. Captain Gillo volunteers to meet with hundreds of cadets, hoping he can find a few worthy of joing his alma mater. He is happily married and the proud father of three children.

Mr. Connor Reed Thomas is an active duty Captain and founded the My GI Foundation. He began his career with the 125th Infantry Lightning Brigade and is now with the 10th Mountain Division. 

Captain Thomas graduated from Air Assault School, Jungle Warfare School, and bares the Expert Soldier Badge. He proudly accepted multiple Army Achievement medals and his first Army Commendation medal, whilehe was a 2nd Lieutinant. 

Mr. Darius Powell was an Army Captain and currently a teacher at Sycamore High School. He graduated from The United States Military Academy. He also has an M.B.A from Duke. Mr. Powell went to Ranger School and was then assigned to the 2/187th Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division and was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. 

Captain Powell has been awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2), Southwest Asia Defense Medal, and Airborne and Air Assault badges.