Office: WSTC 206N | Phone: (308) 865-8093 | Email: cissellja@unk.edu
SFC Jerromy Cissell is a Nebraska native, born in North Platte, Nebraska, and currently serves as a Military Science Instructor with the ROTC program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. SFC Cissell enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in January 2009 during his senior year of high school and departed for Basic Combat Training later that May. SFC Cissell has deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Personal Security Detail missions, first in 2012 and again in 2016. After serving as a Military Policeman for 9 years in the Army Reserves, he transitioned to the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2018. Since March of 2019, SFC Cissell has been assigned to the Recruiting and Retentions Battalion here in Nebraska.
In 2019, SFC Cissell graduated from UNK with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. His military education includes the Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, Non-Career Recruiters Course, Personal Security Detail Course, Counter Drug Course, and Military Police Investigation School.
Throughout his career, SFC Cissell has served in leadership, recruiting, mentorship, and operational roles that have allowed him to work closely with Soldiers from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Those experiences continue to shape his leadership philosophy and approach to developing future officers.
Returning to UNK as an instructor at his alma mater is especially meaningful to SFC Cissell. He believes UNK offers students a unique balance — large enough to provide a true college experience while remaining small enough for students to feel personally connected, supported, and seen.
He chose to become an ROTC instructor because of his passion for mentoring the next generation of leaders and helping young adults become the best version of themselves. He emphasizes accountability, initiative, and personal ownership, encouraging cadets not to simply let life happen to them, but to actively pursue growth, leadership, and purpose.
SFC Cissell believes ROTC provides students with far more than military training alone. In his view, the program creates a family-like environment on campus where students from different majors, backgrounds, and perspectives come together through shared challenges and leadership development. He believes that diversity of thought and experience is one of the program’s greatest strengths and an important part of preparing future Army leaders.
Outside of his military and instructional responsibilities, SFC Cissell is a husband, father, and active member of New Life Church, where he enjoys investing in his community and building meaningful relationships within the Kearney area.
