The Combined Arms Center just announced the first cohort of Harding Fellows—those uniformed editors-in-chief that are starting at their branch journals.
Handpicked by their branch leadership, 11 junior officers and one sergeant first class are the first uniformed editors for the Army’s branch journals in almost two decades. Paired with talented civilian editors, these uniformed editors embody the legacy of then-Major Forrest Harding as they renew the Army’s journals.
While this first cohort learns their role on-the-job, future cohorts will attend graduate school and then report to centers of excellence through the Harding Fellowship.
The Harding Fellowship
Earlier this month, the Army codified the Harding Fellowship as an official Army Broadening Opportunity. Starting in the summer of 2025, the next cohort of selected fellows will attend graduate school and then report to their branch’s center of excellence to start their assignment as the journal’s editor-in-chief.
The application window for the second group of Harding Fellows will open in August for active-duty captains, master sergeants, and chief warrant officers 4 from the Infantry, Maneuver Support, Sustainment, Air Defense, Special Operations, and Military Intelligence branches. Other branches will have a chance to apply next fall.
Information on how to apply to be part of the next Harding Fellow cohort will be shared here on the Harding Project Substack, on Army platforms, and in a MILPER message once available.
The First Fellows
Air Defense Artillery. Capt. Peter Neil II. Capt. Neil graduated from The Citadel in 2019 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery officer and has deployed several times.
Armor. Capt. Dan Porter. Growing up in a small town in northern Indiana, Capt. Porter attended Valparaiso University and graduated with a degree in accounting. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School into the Armor.
Army Communicator. Capt. Vincent Kirk. Capt. Kirk was born in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from The University of North Alabama in 2009 and enlisted in the Army as a Signal Support Systems Specialist. Kirk completed the Officer Candidate School in Fort Moore, Georgia and commissioned as a Signal Officer.
Army Sustainment. Capt. Garett Pyle. Capt. Pyle is a native of Farmington, Pennsylvania. He joined the Army Reserves and simultaneously attended the Reserve Officers Training Course at Washington & Jefferson College where he commissioned in 2016 in the Transportation Corps. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Studies and holds a Master of Arts in Transportation and Logistics Management from American Military University.
Aviation Digest. Capt. Phillip Fluke. Capt. Fluke is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Fluke enlisted in the Maryland Army National Guard in 2010, serving as a 15T UH-60 Blackhawk Repairer and 15U CH-47 Chinook Repairer until 2013. Fluke applied and was selected to attend the United States Military Academy in 2013. He graduated from West Point in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
Field Artillery. 1st Lt. Mackenzie Schott. 1st Lt. Schott grew up in Springfield, Pennsylvania and graduated from American University in 2021 with a degree in international studies. She commissioned from Georgetown University’s Hoya Battalion as a Field Artillery officer–her #1 choice.
Infantry. Capt. Daniel Maresca. Capt. Maresca grew up in Mendham, New Jersey. He graduated from the University of New Haven and commissioned into the Military Police. Maresca is now an Infantry officer, having transferred branches.
The Medical Journal. Maj. Monique Schneeberger. Maj. Schneeberger was born in Lowville, New York and attended Utica University for her undergraduate and graduate medical studies, culminating in a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2013. Schneeberger direct commissioned in 2019 and has served in a variety of roles since.
Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin. Capt. Christopher Amador. Capt. Amador is from Orlando, Florida. He commissioned from the University of Central Florida as a Military Intelligence Officer in 2016. He holds a Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Central Florida. His first assignment was with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, where he conducted missions as part of the Korea Rotational Defense Force and Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Protection. Capt. Michael McCallister. Capt. McCallister is from Joliet, Illinois. He served as an Infantryman, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan before commissioning through the Green to Gold program as a Chemical officer.
Special Warfare. Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Latigue. Sgt. 1st Class Latigue is originally from Apex, North Carolina and enlisted in 2012. He completed the Special Force Qualification Course in 2013 as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Master of Arts in International Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University.
Special Warfare. Maj. Emily Lopez. Maj. Lopez enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2008 and was commissioned from Oklahoma State University as an Ordnance officer in 2013. In 2019, Lopez graduated from the Civil Affairs Qualification Course. Lopez holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defense University.
Congrats to these initial Harding Fellows!