SFC (R) Paul Vertrees

Sergeant First Class (Retired) Paul Vertrees is the Army Instructor at Cañon City High School Army JROTC. A fifth-generation native Coloradan originally from Bailey, Colorado, he enlisted in the Army in 1981, shortly after his high school graduation. SFC Vertrees served with HHC, 2nd Battalion 87th Infantry from 1981-1984, Battery B, 1st Battalion 129th Field Artillery in 1985, Battery B, 1st Battalion 128th Field Artillery from 1985-1995, Company A, 110th Engineer Battalion 1995-1997, Recruiting and Retention Battalion Colorado Army National Guard 1997-2001.  SFC Vertrees' military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Air Assault School, and Recruiting and Retention Course. From 1990-1997, SFC Vertrees competed on marathon and mid-distance teams for both the Missouri Army National Guard and the Colorado Army National Guard. During his military career, he studied business at Sterling College and Excelsior College. He retired in September 2001, and immediately began teaching at Cañon City High School. SFC Vertrees is the faculty advisor for the fly fishing club at Cañon City High School, and also coaches the JROTC Rifle Team . SFC Vertrees is married to Mary (who also works at the high school) and has three daughters...Rachel, Hannah, and Libby. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fly fishing, backpacking, running, and backcountry skiing.