INTRODUCTION FOR STUDENTS:

Having personally struggled to gain a modicum of academic success, including working full-time while attending a community college ...and having witnessed that formal education does have a direct bearing on economic success, I am most interested in helping students meet their educational goals.

This doesn't mean that my courses are easy. This does mean that if students are willing to put in the necessary effort, I will delight in offering guidance so that they can avoid unnecessary pitfalls . I am not the usual instructor you will find.....however, I have yet to meet a "usual" instructor.

History is our understanding of all that has gone before. It has great relevance to our lives today. It can help us understand who we are, and may provide signposts for our future....which will also one day be history.

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS:

Degrees and Education:

M.A., History, California State University Sonoma State, 1994
Lifetime Instructor Credential, California Community Colleges, '88
M.A., Management, Webster University, 1988
M.S., Education, National University, 1981
Graduate, Armed Forces Staff College, 1981
B.A., History, Chapman University, 1977

Teaching Background:

Instructor- South Texas College

- U.S. History from 1865, Spring 1997
- U.S. History to 1877, Fall 1996

Military Trainer and Briefer

- Provided a wide variety of combat training to units of various sizes during service in Marine Corps, 1958 to 1991
- Served as a Briefer at a number of high level Marine Corps staffs.

Provided briefing to various joint and allied staffs, including NATO/ Allied staffs at Commander- North Norway, Commander- Land Forces Jutland/Schleswig-Holstein, Commander- Baltic Approaches, Commander- Fleet Marine Forces, Pacific, 1982 to 1991

Other Professional Experience:

Served in the Marine Corps for 32 years. Was in the enlisted ranks, Private through Staff Sergeant, and commissioned ranks, Second Lieutenant through Lieutenant Colonel. As an infantryman, commanded at the Fireteam, Squad, Platoon, Company and Battalion level. Served in combat in Vietnam.

Service included over 11 years overseas duty in number of countries in Asia, Europe, the Pacific Ocean Areas and South America. Served at the American Embassies in Rome, Italy and Oslo, Norway. Service also included extensive duty on a wide variety of Navy ships around the world.

MORE ABOUT ME:

Honors:

Bronze Star Medal with combat "V", Meritorious Service Medal with gold star denoting second award, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Gold Star.

Areas of Interest & Competence:

- Education

- Military History with emphasis on 20th Century

- Current Military Issues/ International Relations

- Writing, Gardening, Golf, Target shooting, Reading

- Travel - Visited, or lived in, thirty five, countries, in Europe, South Pacific, Asia, South America & Caribbean. As well as a number of states with in the USA.

HOW TO REACH ME:

E-mail Address: curtis@southtexascollege.edu
Phone: 872-2324