Cadre and Staff
Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth S. Eaton-Ferenzi
Professor of Military Science Cavalier Battalion (UVA & LU)
LTC Elizabeth S. Eaton-Ferenzi is a native of Sidney, NY. She was commissioned in Aviation in 2004 through Army ROTC at Lehigh University, in Bethlehem, PA as a Distinguished Military Graduate. After graduating from flight school at Fort Rucker, AL in the summer of 2005 as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot, she was assigned to 2-82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82d Airborne Division from 2005 to 2008, where she served as a Company Training Officer, Platoon Leader, Battle Captain, and Battalion Assistant S1. LTC Eaton-Ferenzi attended the Aviation Captain’s Career Course in 2008 at Fort Rucker, AL, followed by the Joint Firepower Course at Nellis AFB, NV. LTC Eaton-Ferenzi then joined 1-228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo, serving as the Battalion Assistant Operations Officer, and UH-60 Company Commander, 2009 to 2011.
Thereafter, LTC Eaton-Ferenzi attended graduate school at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College and served at the United States Military Academy as a Tactical Officer and Instructor, followed by serving as 1st Regiment’s Executive Officer from 2011 to 2015 where she taught the capstone leadership course to Firsties. After participating in the Career Intermission Program (2-year sabbatical), she completed resident Command and General Staff Officer Course (CGSOC) at Fort Leavenworth, KS in 2018 as an Honor Graduate. After CGSOC, LTC Eaton-Ferenzi served as the 82nd Airborne Division Deputy Division Aviation Officer and then the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) Aviation Officer at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), NC and with Joint Special Operations Task Force – Somalia in Djibouti. LTC Eaton-Ferenzi was then assigned to serve as Assistant Professor of Military Science for Army ROTC at the University of South Florida from 2021 to 2022.
Most recently, LTC Eaton-Ferenzi served on the Commander’s Action Group at U.S. Central Command at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL as the Levant portfolio (Syria, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt) manager.
LTC Eaton-Ferenzi deployed to Afghanistan (13 months) in 2007-2008, Honduras (26 months) 2009-2011, and Africa (Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya for 3 months) 2021. She has also conducted Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief efforts in El Salvador (2009 mud slides), Haiti (2010 earthquake), and Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Costa Rica (2009-2011; Medical Civic Action Programs). While on the CAG, she traveled to the Middle East frequently (approximately once a month).
LTC Eaton-Ferenzi’s higher education includes a Master of Organizational Psychology from Columbia University (New York, NY) through the Eisenhower Leadership Development Program, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA).
Her awards and decorations include the Senior Aviation Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War of Terror Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal.
LTC Eaton-Ferenzi is married to LTC Steve Ferenzi, who serves as an Army Strategist and Special Forces officer in Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT). They have two daughters – Annalise and Mariella (11 and 9 years old), one son – Anthony (7), and three boxer pups: Sas, Rosie, and Max.
Major Shane Hook
Assistant Professor of Military Science, Officer in Charge
Major Shane Hook is a native of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 2010 as an Ordnance Officer. He is a graduate of the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, the Logistics Captains Career Course, and US Army Command and General Staff College. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management form Lock Haven University and a Master of Science in Logistics Management from Florida Tech.
Major Hook’s career as an organizational leader and logistician has included assignments as: Platoon Leader, Maintenance Control Officer, and Company Executive Officer in 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, GA, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan supporting Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom; Forward Support Company Commander for 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO, including deployments to Kuwait and Poland supporting Operations Inherent Resolve and Atlantic Resolve; Project Warrior Officer with assignments at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA as a Sustainment Trainer, and as a Small Group Leader and Instructor at the Logistics Captains Career Course at Fort Gregg-Adams, VA; Division Logistics Planner, Support Operations Officer, and Battalion Executive Officer for 47th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX, including a deployment to Poland supporting Operation Assure, Deter, and Reinforce.
MAJ Hook’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4), Army Commendation Medal (4), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4), Combat Action Badge, and Basic Army Instructor Badge. He is a recipient of the Order of Samuel Sharp and the Noble Patron of Armor. MAJ Hook is married to Jessica Hook of Avis, PA and loves spending time together outdoors with their two dogs.
Captain Sarah Mehr
Assistant Professor of Military Science
Captain Sarah M. Mehr was born in Baltimore, Maryland and spent the next sixteen years as an Army brat; her family has called Manassas, Virginia home for nearly thirty years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2008 from George Mason University with a dual major in Anthropology and History and a minor in Classical Studies. She enlisted as a Transportation Management Coordinator (88N) in 2011, and upon completion of basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and AIT at Fort Lee, VA, she drilled with the 55th Sustainment Brigade (SUST BDE) at Fort Belvoir, VA. While assigned to the 55th SUST BDE, she simultaneously attended George Mason University for her Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and enrolled in the ROTC program. She earned her commission as a Second Lieutenant in May 2013.
CPT Mehr’s active duty assignments include the 372D Inland Cargo Transfer Company (ICTC), 129TH Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), 101ST Sustainment Brigade, 101ST Airborne (Air Assault) Division, at Fort Campbell, KY. She deployed with the 372D ICTC as a platoon leader to Liberia, Africa in support of Operation United Assistance. Upon redeployment, CPT Mehr next served as the Executive Officer for the HHC, 129TH CSSB. Her next assignment was to the 632D and 613TH Joint Movement Control Teams, where she served as the Executive Officer. Upon completion of Captain Logistics Career Course at Fort Lee and her Master’s thesis, CPT Mehr was assigned to the 7TH TB(X) at Fort Eustis, VA. She served a year on Brigade staff before assuming command of the 73D Transportation Company (Floating Craft). CPT Mehr completed 24 months of command and successfully inactivated the unit in June 2021.
CPT Mehr’s military awards and schooling include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (one oak leaf), Army Achievement Medal (one oak leaf), Army Superior Unit Award, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (gold), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault, Mortuary Affairs, Unit Historian, and Theater Sustainment Planner.
CPT Mehr has one daughter and four siblings, with two younger brothers currently serving on active duty.
Captain Connor D O’Neal
Military Science Instructor
Captain Connor D. O’Neal is a native of Centreville Maryland. He commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Johns Hopkins University in May 2016. He is a graduate of Logistics Captains Career Course (LOGC3), Ordnance Basic Officer’s Leader Course (ODBOLC), Master Educator Course (MEC), Unit Movement Officer Course, Air Load Planners Course and Equal Opportunity Leaders Course. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Stevenson University.
Captain O’Neal’s career as an organizational leader has included assignments as: Battalion Maintenance Control Officer / Platoon Leader, 1st Battalion 62nd Air Defense Artillery while deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield, Kuwait; Company Executive Officer, Company Commander and Assistant S-3, 1st Battalion 62nd Air Defense Artillery, Fort Hood, TX (known as Fort Cavazos since 2023); Brigade Maintenance and Transportation Support Operations Officer (SPO), 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, Fort Bliss, TX; Forward Support Company Commander, 2nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, in Fort Bliss, TX and South Korea.
Captain O’Neal’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.
He is married to Jackie O’Neal a native of Long Beach NY, together they have one daughter.
Mr. Bill Kapr
Military Science Instructor
Mr. Ben Parrish Sr.
Human Resources Assistant
Ben Parrish, Sr is a Lynchburg, VA native and Liberty University alumnus, having received an AA in Business Administration, and a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Psychology, Military Science, and Business. Prior to taking his current position with the ROTC program, he was the Army Reserve Administrator for the 751st Quartermaster Company in Bedford, VA.
Mr. Parrish is also a Senior Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Amy Reserve, with 20+ years in service. He holds 2 MOSs, 88K (Watercraft Operator) and 42A (Human Resources Specialist). His assignments and duties have included Operations SGT and HR SGT for the 2d BN 317th Regt (Lynchburg, VA), Sr HR SGT and Equal Opportunity Advisor for the 3rd BDE, 98th DIV (Salem, VA), and Equal Opportunity Advisor for the 352nd Civil Affairs Command (Ft Meade, MD). His military education consists of Primary Leadership Development Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course, Master Leader Course, Combatives Level 1, and the Equal Opportunity Advisor Course from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute. He is also a Dept of Defense certified mediator. Mr. Parrish has two children. Aside from his faith, he is passionate about cooking, music, and baseball.