Instructor Bios

Commander Brian Q. Gauck

United States Navy Retired May 2013

Commander Gauck is a native of Milan, Indiana. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education from Purdue University in May 1984 and holds a master’s degree in Education from Purdue University. He is also a Doctoral Candidate in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change at Colorado State University.

Commander Gauck obtained his commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School, Naval Air Station Pensacola then completed pilot training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas and NAS Whiting Field, Florida earning his Wings of Gold in September 1989. From 1991 through 1994, Gauck served in various operational tours at sea, flying from the decks of the USS Forrestal (CV 59) and USS Saratoga (CV 60). He accumulated over 1,000 flight hours in military aircraft, serving as Helicopter Aircraft Commander in the SH-3 Sea King and SH-60 F/H Sea Hawk helicopters participating in Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Enduring Freedom. He also served with Battle Group Staff Eight embarked on USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) while operating in support of Operation Southern Watch in Iraq.

Commander Gauck was the Operations Officer for Joint Task Force Atlantic, Naval Station Great Lakes in 2001 then assigned as the Navy Liaison Officer to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2002. He served in the Plans and Policy Directorate as a task lead for Integrated Air and Missile Defense before being selected to lead four Joint Test and Evaluation projects in United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) for maritime domain awareness, maritime threat response, and radio frequency emission, classification, and tracking.

His personal decorations include two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various, personal and unit service and campaign medals.

From 2007 to 2017, Commander Gauck served as a volunteer coach for the Air Force Academy Rodeo Team. He and his wife, Denise, have been sponsor parents for Air Force Academy cadets and Naval Academy Midshipmen since 2003. They have three daughters, one son, three sons-in-law and two grandchildren.

Gunnery Sergeant Juan Lara

Gunnery Sergeant Juan Lara was born in El Paso Texas in 1971. After attending the University of Texas at El Paso, he enlisted into USMC in 1991. During his time in the USMC he served as an Aviation Operator at MCAS Tustin, WESTPAC, NAS Fort Worth, MCAS Yuma, recruited in El Paso Texas, and MCAS Yuma again. While at MCAS Yuma GySgt Lara turned the Yuma Young Marines into a successful and highly regarded youth group.

GySgt Lara retired at Scott AFB after serving twenty-one years in the United States Marine Corps. His dedication for the past 3 years has been a key factor in the continual growth and success of this unit. He received his Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Pima Community College on August 5, 2015. He is pursuing his Bachelor of Mathematics degree from Grand Canyon University.

While at Cienega High School as the Naval Science Instructor, GySgt Lara coached and prepared the color guard team, basic and expedition drill teams, marksmanship team and PT team for competitions. He supervised thousands of hours of community and school service functions where Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets participated. During the summer, GySgt Lara was an advisor for the Area 11 Leadership Academy where he taught and evaluated students on marching drill capabilities.