'Military brat' returns to Ky. as 2nd lt.

By Joe Castelli

Staff Writer

The Army has been a part of 2nd. Lt. Tiara Walz’s life since she was born at Fort Campbell, Ky., 22 years ago.

Delta Co. 2nd Lt. Tiara Walz is a medical service corps officer and will be stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, following LTC. Photo by Kristin Sherrard

Her father retired May 2008 after serving as an engineer in the enlisted ranks for much of her childhood, and his service was part of her motivation for joining the Army.

“I’m a military brat, and I wanted to do what I could in the medical field to help Soldiers,” said Walz, a graduate of the University of Dubuque, where she spent all four years in ROTC.

Lt. Col. John Nelson, the platoon tactical officer for her platoon, cites her childhood Army exposure as something that gives her a unique outlook at the Leader’s Training Course.

“She’s an Army brat, so she grew up in the military,” Nelson said of Walz, who leads the fifth squad in the platoon he oversees. “And her father had worked in ROTC, so she knows the program from a few different angles.”

Nelson said her varied experiences with the Army and its ROTC program as a daughter, leader and Cadet contribute to her ability to help LTC Cadets with deciding whether Army ROTC is right for them.

“She’s able to relate to what these Cadets will be doing here shortly,” Nelson said. “She’s doing a fantastic job. She’s a great role model for our Cadets.”

Walz is a medical service corps officer, which fit with her major in biology and minor in chemistry.

“I’ve always been a science buff,” she said. “Anything science in the military is pretty much in med services.”

After LTC she’ll be stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, where she’ll continue her pursuits in her branch.

Walz’s favorite part of being a squad tactical officer is getting to work with the Cadets on a close basis.

“Getting to really watch them learn from me and talk to them is really cool,” Walz said. “Seeing them accomplish things is awesome.”