IN THE MILITARY

Phi Kappa Psi is proud to recognize and honor our members who have served and are currently serving in the military. We invite all brothers to share their military service with us for a chance to be featured in future editions of The Shield. Your service reflects the bravery and dedication we deeply value, and we’d love to showcase your story. While photos are not required, they are greatly appreciated and add a personal touch to your submission.

Below is a list of recent submissions from brothers in the military, including those featured in the Winter 2025 issue of The Shield.

Submit your own military service to us by clicking the button below!

Georgia Beta – Georgia Tech

David Maccaferri ‘00 entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 2003 and retired in 2024. He achieved the rank of O5/Commander. With over 20 years of experience in military aviation and leadership, he has extensive experience managing personnel and enterprise programs. As the Executive Officer at the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest Air Station & Training Center, Bother Maccaferri oversaw 650+ personnel, 17 aircraft, and a $27M budget, ensuring the safety, security, and readiness of daily operations. His dedication in this role earned one of two Meritorious Service Medals, with the second awarded for strategic contributions in the Office of C5I Capabilities and the Cyber Workforce Management and Resources Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, where he advanced key initiatives in cyber and technology operations. Maccaferri also received the Air Medal for conducting vital rescue operations during Hurricane Harvey in Port Arthur, Texas, under challenging conditions. In addition, he earned five Coast Guard Achievement Medals for professional and leadership excellence across various units and air stations. His career is further distinguished by several prestigious unit and group awards, including the Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, DHS Outstanding Unit Award, and two Humanitarian Service Medals, underscoring mission success, humanitarian aid, and operational excellence. Maccaferri also is a certified flight instructor and flight examiner, and he holds an airline transport pilot license with over 3,000 flight hours. Since retiring, he has been serving as an H65 Simulator Instructor for Metris Global, providing ground and flight simulator training for the USCG MH-65E helicopter in Mobile, Alabama. In his spare time, he is a content creator and Tesla FSD Beta Tester, sharing his passion for technology and innovation with a global audience. A dedicated practitioner and teacher of the Getting Things Done methodology, Maccaferri helps others enhance productivity and task management.

Iowa Beta – Iowa State

Capt. Brian Kelm ‘73 was in the U.S. Navy from 1977-2003 and served multiple tours overseas in Seabee battalions. During those deployments, he was stationed in Puerto Rico; Argentia, Newfoundland (Canada); Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory); Saudi Arabia; Okinawa, Japan; Guam; and the Philippines. Brother Kelm was recognized numerous times for his service, including Legion of Merit Awards (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal (6), Navy Achievement Award, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi and Kuwati), Navy Expeditionary Medal, and other service awards.

Louisiana Gamma – Loyola

Maj. Kerry Lewis ‘93 served in the Georgia and Louisiana Army National Guard from 1994-2021.

Nebraska Beta – Creighton

Lt. Col. Paul Schleier ‘74 served in the U.S. Navy and Air Force from 1988-2016. During that time, he spent more than seven years deployed overseas on various assignments including onboard the USS Saratoga, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and on air bases in Saudi Arabia. Brother Schleier also served as either a director or officer-in-charge of dental labs at Langley Air Force Base (AFB) and Barksdale AFB in the U.S. and Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Currently, he is a partner and business management consultant at The Dental Marketing Institute and founder/CEO of American Warrior Financial, LLC.

Ohio Delta – Ohio State

BGen. Mark Cunningham ‘93 has been serving in the U.S. Marine Corps since 1993 with plans to retire in 2028. During his service, he has been deployed to Afghanistan, Colombia, and locations in the Pacific, Mediterranean and Red Sea. Brother Cunningham has received several awards and commendations, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, among others.

Ohio Epsilon – CWRU

Robert Beletsky ‘24 is serving in the U.S. Coast Guard as an E3 Seaman.

Ohio Theta – Ashland

Daniel McIninch ‘24 joined the Army after high school for a chance to gain some experience in the world and possibly determine his career path. He ended up doing 10 months in Iraq; three years at Fort Wainwright, Alaska; and more than a year at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Brother McIninch said “The best part about the service was the connections I made with other people, and the best thing I learned was time management skills.”

Ohio Iota – Akron

Mike Kesling ‘82 served in the U.S. Air Force from 1976-80. He achieved the rank of sergeant and was awarded Outstanding Unit.

Pennsylvania Eta – F & M

Capt. Robert Mecaughey ‘52 served in the U.S. Navy and spent four years overseas, stationed in the Philippines. He also is a Vietnam vet. Brother Mecaughey received the Defense Superior Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and various campaign medals.

South Carolina Alpha – South Carolina

Col. Leon I. Smith IV ‘76 served in the U.S. Army from 1983-2008. He was deployed overseas for 11 years: Operation Desert Shield/Storm (Iraq), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Germany, Bosnia, Croatia, and Hungary. In March 1983, Brother Smith was commissioned an Armor Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 1-83. His first duty assignment was as Scout Platoon Leader 1/11 ACR Fulda, Germany. His subsequent duty assignments include: Tank Platoon Leader 1/11 Armored Cavalry Regiment Fulda, Germany; Tank Company Executive Officer, 1/11 Armored Cavalry Regiment Fulda, Germany; Tank Company Commander 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado; Battalion S3 Air 4th Infantry Division Fort Carson, Colorado; Tactics Instructor Writer, TRADOC, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; 3rd Army Liaison ARCENT, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Saudi Arabia and Iraq; Resident Training Team Leader, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; Joint Exercise Planner, USAREUR Headquarters Heidelberg, Germany; Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, USAREUR Headquarters, TASZAR, Hungary; Tank Battalion Executive Officer, 1st Armored Division, Bosnia, B-H and Friedberg, Germany; Budget Analyst USAREUR Headquarters, Heidelberg, Germany; Budget Team Chief ODCSOPS, Headquarters DA, The Pentagon; Washington, D.C.; Defense Force Cost Analyst, CJCS J8, Washington, D.C., Program Analyst ODCSPRO G8, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Combined-Joint Comptroller (CJ8), CFC-A, Kabul, Afghanistan; Director, Acquisition Costing, OASA (FM&C), The Pentagon, D.C.; Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Information & Management. Smith’s military awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Service Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, NATO Medal, Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Parachute Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and the Joint Staff Identification Badge.

Texas Epsilon – SFA

SMSgt. Jonathan Borth ‘05 has been in the U.S. Air Force since 2002. He has been stationed in California at Moffett Field –NASA AMES, an aeronautics and technology research center. Borth spent a decade as a C17A flying crew chief. During his service, he has received the following awards: Meritorious Service, Commendation, and Humanitarian Service.