A program designed to provide greater understanding of military service and culture and the challenges faced by today’s military leaders is coming to Troy University campuses next week.

The Hap Arnold Outreach Program, which seeks to strengthen ties between the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base and the community, will be held at the University’s Montgomery Campus on March 26 and on the Troy Campus on March 27.

Hosted in partnership with Troy University’s Continuing Education and Outreach Department and the College of Arts and Sciences, the program utilizes a traveling panel of senior military officers, selected based on their military experience, academic accomplishments and deep interest in national security issues. Each officer will share his or her personal journey and reflect on military and combat experiences with a focus on this year’s theme “Values-Based Leadership in Changing Times.”

“Troy University is proud to partner with the Air War College to showcase the impactful stories shared through the Hap Arnold Outreach Program,” said Dr. Lee Vardaman, associate provost for academic support. “With diverse experiences and backgrounds, the speakers offer rich insights into the paths of very successful officers.”

The program will take place on the Montgomery Campus at 5:30 p.m. on March 26 in the Gold Room on the second floor of Whitley Hall. Panelists for the event are: Tiffany L. Herring, a senior quality assurance specialist for the Defense Contract Management Agency; Lt. Col. Eli Lozano of the Medical Service Corps; Lt. Col. John Popiak, a U.S. Army cyber-warfare officer with 22 years of active federal service; Lt. Col. Jared C. Nelson, a U.S. Air Force officer with 21 years of active duty service; and, Michael E. Salmon, deputy program manager for nuclear matters for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.

Those wishing to attend the Montgomery Campus event should contact continuinged@troy.edu.

The Troy Campus presentation is set for 4 p.m. on March 27 in room 122 of Hawkins Hall. A reception will follow in the Hawkins Hall lobby. Panelist for the Troy Campus event are: Salmon; Capt. Tina Pena, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pilot; Lt. Col. Mark Tallo, a Judge Advocate General officer in the Army National Guard; and, Lt. Col. Adam Moore, who has more than 2,500 flying hours in the AC-130 gunship and has completed 16 deployments to the Middle East and Afghanistan in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.

The Troy Campus event is open to TROY students, faculty and staff.

The program is named in honor of Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, a pioneer airman who was taught to fly by the Wright brothers. Arnold commanded the Army Air Forces to victory over Germany and Japan in World War II. Three years after retiring in 1946, he was appointed the first General of the Air Force by the U.S. Congress, and is the only person in history to achieve a 5-star rank in both the Army and Air Force.