The Wisconsin Army Cadet Leadership Team consists of adult volunteers who are either currently serving in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, are prior service, former Cadets, or other vetted adults. Our Officer Staff is carefully screened and commissioned through a process that includes criminal background checks, military screening and required training.
Leadership Team
Commanding Officer: CPT Chris Lauerman chris.lauerman@gocadets.org
Executive Officer: 1LT Hunter Plamann hunter.plamann@gocadets.org
1st Platoon Leader 2LT Luke Durnford luke.durnford@gocadets.org
Unit Administrator: Senior Civilian Instructor Terri Verhagen terri.verhagen@gocadets.org
Administrative Officer: 1LT Andrew Kirkpatrick andrew.kirkpatrick@gocadets.org
Administrative Officer: 2LT Brianna Scholz brianna.scholz@gocadets.org
Medical Officer: 2LT Darius Olsen darius.olsen@gocadets.org
Public Affairs Officer: 2LT Melissa Dykstra public.affairs@gocadets.org
FRG Coordinator: family.readiness@gocadets.org
Technology Manager: Dr. Jenna Linskens admin@gocadets.org
Founder and Senior Military Advisor: COL Brian Blahnik brian.blahnik@gocadets.org
Leadership Team Bios
CPT Chris Lauerman
“I was a Cadet all through high school, starting as a Private in 1999 and working my way up to a Squad Leader, Supply Sergeant, First Sergeant, and finally the Training Sergeant Major. During my first deployment with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, I received letters, packages, and emails from Cadets still in the program. They mentioned the impact I had on them during my time in Cadet leadership positions, and it was rewarding to know that I had such a lasting impact on them. After returning home to Wisconsin, I wanted to give back to the program that had such a profound influence on my life and become a member of the staff, serving as the S3 Training Officer and now as the Unit Commander.”
CPT Lauerman enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as an 11B Infantryman in 2002, and is currently working full time as the Admin NCO for B Co. 2-127th IN in Green Bay. His deployments include Iraq in 2005-6, 2009-10, and Afghanistan in 2019.
1LT Hunter Plamann
“I always wanted to join the military as a kid, so in 2011 when one of my friends told me about the Wisconsin Army Cadet program, I checked it out. I was a Squad Leader, Supply NCO, First Sergeant, Training NCO and now a Platoon Leader. I continued on helping with the program after I graduated because the Cadet program gave me so much knowledge and skills that I use not only in the Army but my civilian life as well, and I wanted to give new Cadets that same knowledge and skills.
1LT Plamann enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as an 12B Combat Engineer in 2015, and is currently serving as a 11B Infantryman in C Co. 2-127th IN. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2019.
Senior Civilian Instructor Terri Verhagen
“In 2010 my daughter joined the Wisconsin Army Cadets. At the time she was the only female. I started to help out as the sole female adult leader, moved into the FRG Coordinator role and now serve as the Unit Administrator. My daughter remained in the program for 9 years as a Cadet and moved into an Officer role before leaving the program, and during that time I stayed on as something to do with her. I choose to stay and be a part of this program as I enjoy watching the Cadets grow and mature into wonderful young men and women and move on with their lives as better people because of their participation in the program. I love getting the letters from them after they are in boot camp or college. It has just been a true pleasure to continue to work with these Cadets."
1LT Andrew Kirkpatrick
“As a youth, the program sounded interesting because I was interested in the military as a possible career; I wanted to follow my father into the Army. Since joining the Wisconsin Army Cadets in 1999, I have held the positions of Squad Leader, Platoon Leader, First Sergeant, State Command Staff youth member and now as Administrative Officer. I also served as the Training Officer and Executive Officer in former Wisconsin Army Cadet Units. I continue with the program today because I see great value in the program and want to work to ensure that the youth have a quality unit.”
1LT Kirkpatrick was in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 2001 before being medically discharged.
2LT Brianna Scholz
"I joined the Wisconsin Army Cadets in 2017 after my cousin suggested it to me because of how competitive I am. I worked my way through the ranks, holding the positions of assistant squad leader, squad leader, and first sergeant. After six years as a cadet, this place became another family to me. Aging out was not about to get me to leave so I chose to step into an administrative position as an adult leader."
2LT Darius Olsen
“I joined the Wisconsin Army Cadets in 2018 because an Army recruiter suggested that I get involved with the program. As a former Cadet I held the positions of Assistant Squad Leader, Color Guard Team Member and Medic. Because I enjoy and believe in the program, I continued on into a staff position as the Medical Officer.”
2LT Olsen is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic student.
2LT Melissa Dykstra
"In 2021 my son joined the Wisconsin Army Cadets. Our family volunteered at EAA, helping with meals and the move from the Appleton to Plymouth Armory. In 2022 I was asked to fill the Public Affairs position. I was more than happy to volunteer my time with the program because of the outstanding leadership and values. I have witnessed the skills, foundation and responsibility that the program has instilled in my son and the other Cadets and truly believe in the positive impact of the program."
2LT Dykstra served from 1997 - 2005 as a 91G Patient Administration Specialist in the Army Reserve.
Jenna Linskens
"In 2015 I started out as a parent volunteer when my son was in the program, then became the FRG Coordinator and Technology Manager. I enjoyed working with the youth and watching them grow in their skills, challenge themselves to overcome fears, and become amazing young adults.”
Since moving out of state, Dr. Linskens continues to volunteer from afar as our Technology Manager.
COL Brian A Blahnik
“In 1992 the local Army National Guard Commander was looking for someone to start a Cadet program at the 1/128 Infantry Unit in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I stepped up along with one other individual and formed the first Wisconsin Army Cadet Unit.”
COL Blahnik enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as 75B Personnel Administration. He served six years in the National Guard and two additional years on active duty as a Battle Captain in the 2/127th IN TOC. He attended the Wisconsin Military Academy 1997-1998.