Faculty and Staff

LTC David Sherck, Professor of Military Science

LTC Dave Sherck assumed duties as the Professor of Military Science at West Virginia University in June of 2021 and brings two decades of military experience to the program. He began his military career as an infantryman in the Florida National Guard in 2002 before commissioning from Florida State University in Armor in 2006. A career Cavalryman, LTC Sherck has served as a Tank and Scout Platoon Leader, Tank Company Executive Officer, Cavalry Troop Commander, and Cavalry Squadron Operations Officer. His most recent assignment was as the Squadron Executive Officer for the newly formed 3rd Squadron, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade. MAJ Sherck’s operational experience includes three combat deployments to Iraq, hurricane relief operations in Florida, and a variety of multinational and joint exercises. LTC Sherck holds a bachelor’s in History from Florida State University and a master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. His military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course and Career Courses, the Army Reconnaissance Course, Basic Parachutist Course, the NATO Staff Officer Course, and the Security Forces Assistance Advisor Course.

LTC Sherck is a Chicago native and the proud father of two daughters, Alice and Reese, who he raises with his wife, Morgan, a registered nurse originally from Austin, Texas. In his free time, LTC Sherck enjoys watching hockey, exploring the outdoors with his family, and taking care of their numerous pets.

E-mail: david.sherck@mail.wvu.edu

MSG Christopher Farmer assumes responsibility as the Senior Military Science Instructor. A 17-year Army veteran, MSG Farmer comes to WVU from the 1-66 Armor, 3rd ABCT, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson where he served as a first sergeant for three years. During that time he deployed to Baltic States in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve and separately to Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. A native of Seattle, Washington, MSG Farmer enlisted as a Cavalry Scout and was assigned to 1-4 Infantry Battalion in Hohenwald, Germany, where he deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a squad leader. He was later stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord with 4-9 Infantry and again deployed to Afghanistan. He also did a tour at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., as an Observer Controller-Training with Tarantula Team.

MSG Farmer’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (x8), AAM (x8), Combat Action Badge and Master Gunner Identification Badge. He is a graduate the Master Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Warrior Leader Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate) and M1A2 Master Gunner. He has two daughters, Julianna and Alessandra.

Email: Christopher.farmer1@mail.wvu.edu

CPT Elaine Altman, Assistant Professor of Military Science

CPT Altman is the Lead MS I instructor and the S4/Sustainment Officer for the battalion. Born and raised in Pitman, Pennsylvania, she commissioned as a Transportation Officer from Virginia Tech where she graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a Minor in Leadership Studies through the Corps of Cadets. CPT Altman assessed onto active duty in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where she served as the Distribution Platoon Leader for E/2-227 General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 1st Air Cav for 14 months. She then served for 2 years as executive officer for E/227 Gray Eagle Company, 1st Air Cavalry Division, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.  After completing Logistics Captains Career Course at Fort Lee, she was assigned to the 10th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. There she served as the Battalion S4 for 12 months. She completed her key development assignment as the B/10 BSB Field Maintenance Company (FMC) Commander for 16 months before taking on the role of the S3/Operations officer for the battalion for 6 months before being reassigned to the Mountaineer Battalion.

Email: elaine.altman@mail.wvu.edu

CPT Josh Crissey, APMS & Army National Guard Liaison

CPT Joshua Crissey is the Assistant Military Science Instructor for MS IVs and the S3/Operations Officer for the Mountaineer Battalion. He commissioned as an Armor Officer from West Virginia University with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology in August of 2017. He also earned an M.S. in Safety Management from WVU in Spring of 2019.

Following completion of Armor Basic Officer Leadership Course, CPT Crissey served as Scout Platoon Leader in the 1-150th Cavalry Squadron (WVANG) for 38 months during a deployment train-up cycle, National Training Center rotation, and deployment to Tower 22 along the Syrian DCZ in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.  Upon redeployment, CPT Crissey attended the Army Reconnaissance Course and entered the AGR program with the WVANG, serving as the 1-150th S4/Sustainment Officer for 18 months. He is married to Madison Crissey, a West Virginia University grad (2018), and a registered nurse at Ruby Memorial Hospital.

Email: jjcrissey@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: (304) 293-7558

MAJ Andrew Pollick, Adjunct Professor of Military Science

MAJ Andrew Pollick is assigned to WVU as Adjunct Professor of Military Science through 4th Battalion, 413th Regiment, 104th Training Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky.  He is an assistant instructor for the MS4s. MAJ Pollick joined the National Guard in 2008. After completing basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he completed Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort McClellan, Ala. During his 12 years of service, he has served as a platoon leader, operations officer and civil engineer before completing command of the 589th Engineer Det., in Kaiserslautern, Germany. MAJ Pollick earned a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.Ed. in Secondary Education, both from WVU. A Bridgeport High School math teacher, he resides in Bridgeport with his wife, Francesca, and daughters, Scarlett and Ruby.

Email: apollick@mail.wvu.edu

CPT Trevarious Taylor, Assistant Professor of Military Science

CPT Trevarious Taylor assumes joins the Mountaineer Battalion and assumes duties as the Liaison Officer to Fairmont State and Waynesburg Universities.  He commissioned as a Quartermaster officer from Jackson State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice in May of 2015.  CPT Taylor assessed onto active duty in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as the maintenance platoon leader for 602nd Support Maintenance Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. He then served as executive officer for the 62nd Quartermaster Company for 13 months before attending Logistics Captain Career Course at Fort Lee, Virginia. After completing Captains Career Course, CPT Taylor was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, where he went on to serve as the 25th Sustainment Brigade transportation officer, 25 DSTB S3 operations officer, and Golf Forward Support company commander for the 1-27 Infantry Battalion.    

Email: trevarious.taylor@mail.wvu.edu