det 218 cadre

The cadre consists of a Commander (Professor of Aerospace Studies), two Academic Instructors (Assistant Professors of Aerospace Studies), two Noncommissioned Officers and an Administrative Assistant. They provide military training expertise and mission support for the cadets, while bringing a wealth of real-world Air Force experience to the classroom.

Lieutenant Colonel Mark L. Adkins

Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Adkins is the Commander of Air Force ROTC Detachment 218 and Professor and Department Chair of Aerospace Studies at Indiana State University. He is responsible for recruiting, training and commissioning all AFROTC cadets on the Indiana State University campus as well as cadets from four other “cross-town” colleges in the Terre Haute region.

Lt Col Adkins received his commission as an AFROTC Distinguished Graduate through Iowa State University in 1989. Before assuming his current position, he served as the Operations Officer and Mission Commander for the Airborne Command Post “Looking Glass”, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Lt Col Adkins is a Master Space and Senior Missile Operator with 22 years of military service controlling operations for various Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Missile Warning and Missile Defense systems. Additionally, he has served as an Executive Officer at USNORTHCOM, and as an Instructor at the National Security Space Institute. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Webster University and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Forestry from Iowa State University. He assumed his present position in July 2011.

Major Erica L. Parks

APAS/Recruiting Flight Commander

Major Erica L. Parks is an Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies and Recruiting Flight Commander at Air Force ROTC Detachment 218.

Major Parks received her commission as an AFROTC cadet through Alabama State University in 1996. Before assuming her current position, she served as the Operations Officer for the 25th Aerial Port Squadron, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Major Parks is a Master Logistician with 15 years of military service planning exercise missions at the Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC), controlling Aerial Port operations, and commanding Vehicle Operations/Vehicle Maintenance Flights. Additionally, she has served as an instructor of COT (Commissioned Officer Training) at the Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. She holds a Masters Degree in English Education from William Carey University and a Bachelors of Science Degree in English with a double minor in Aerospace Studies and French from Alabama State University. She assumed her present position in August 2010.

Capt Matthew S. Blystone

APAS/Operations Flight Commander

Capt Matthew S. Blystone is an Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies and Operations Flight Commander at Air Force ROTC Detachment 218.

Capt Blystone received his commission from Air Force Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, AL in September of 2006. Before assuming his current position, he served as a Training Systems Engineer for the Aeronautical System Center, Agile Combat Support Directorate, Simulator Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Capt Blystone is a Developmental Engineer with 5 years of military service working on a wide range of Air Force and Navy flight simulators including training devices for the T-6A, C-17, AC-130H/U, CV-22, and the HH-60G. Additionally, he deployed to Camp Bucca and Al Basrah, Iraq from December 2009 through June 2010 where he served as a Quality Assurance Representative for the Defense Contract Management Agency. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Baylor University and is completing a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management and Systems from the University of Dayton. He assumed his present position in August 2011.

Technical Sergeant Kesha L. Alvis

NCOIC, Personnel

Technical Sergeant Kesha L. Alvis is the NCOIC, Personnel of Air Force ROTC Detachment 218 at Indiana State University.

TSgt Alvis enlisted in the Air Force in May 1996. She completed her survival equipment specialty training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and was stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. She retrained as a Personnelist at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi and was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina and the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia. TSgt Alvis has a Community College of the Air Force degree in both of her Air Force specialties and is working towards a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. She assumed her present position in September 2010.

TECHNICAL SERGEANT SARAH M. CORRIGAN

NCOIC, Knowledge Operations Manager

Technical Sergeant Sarah M. Corrigan is the NCOIC, Knowledge Operations Manager of Air Force ROTC Detachment 218 at Indiana State University.

TSgt Corrigan enlisted in the Air Force in July 2000. She completed her Personnelist specialty training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. She has had assignments at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. TSgt Corrigan has a Community College of the Air Force degree and is working on a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She assumed her present position in June 2010.

Ms. Elaine Abel

Administrative Assistant

Ms. Elaine Able is the Administrative Assistant of Air Force ROTC Detachment 218 at Indiana State University.

Ms. Abel has 25 years of experience as an Administrative Assistant working for a local construction company, the Vigo County School district and Indiana State University. She has an Associates’ degree in business administration from Harrison College. She assumed her present position in June 2008.