NATCHITOCHES – Continuing its tradition of honoring those who serve in the nation’s Armed Forces, Northwestern State University recognized the military service of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Etta Wheeler as the honorary captain during the football game against Louisiana Christian University Aug. 27.
Wheeler serves at Grambling State University as the professor of Military Science for the Army ROTC programs at Grambling, Louisiana Tech University, Northwestern State and the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Wheeler, a native of Bossier City, enlisted in the United States Navy in 2004. She graduated from Louisiana Tech in Ruston with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. She commissioned Second Lieutenant (Ordnance) in the United States Army through a service transfer and Officer Candidate School in 2007. She earned a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from Central Michigan University in 2012.
She comes to the program from Tulane University where she served as the Professor of Military Science. Before that, she was a Logistics Course Director and Distinguished Instructor for the Army Sustainment University.
LTC Wheeler has robust operational and tactical experience as a Logistician. She served as the Future Operations Plans Officer (G35) for the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, the Executive Officer and Support Operations Officer for the 16th SB in Germany. She also served as an Observer, Coach Trainer in Hawaii and Aide de Camp. She commanded the 24th Ordnance (Ammunition) Company at Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
She deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2013 and has supported Atlantic Resolve (Poland), Operation Allies Welcome (Germany) and Sustained Logistics Support in the Defense of Ukraine.
LTC Wheeler is a graduate of the Logistics Captains Career Course and Command and General Staff College. Additional education includes the Theater Sustainment Planners Course, Operational Contract Support, Support Operations and Joint Logistics Course. She was also the first Army graduate of the Marine Corps’ Advanced Expeditionary Logistics Operations Course.
LTC Wheeler’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), Army Achievement Medal (4 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal and Basic Army Instructor Badge.
She is married to Brian Wheeler who also served in the Navy and is a Northwestern State alumnus, Class of 2010. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, son-in-law and grandson in Haughton.
LTC Wheeler was escorted on field by NSU President James Genovese, and U.S. Army Captain Armando Lopez, head of NSU’s Department of Military Science.