Staff

Captain Joey Frantzen

Commanding Officer, Iowa State University NROTC

CAPT Frantzen is from Saint Donatus, Iowa. CAPT Frantzen graduated from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 1994 receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. He received his Master’s Degree in Computer Science in 2001 from the Naval Post-Graduate School, Monterey, California. In 2001 he completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I through the Naval War College.

CAPT Frantzen’s initial assignment was onboard USS JOHN RODGERS (DD 983) from March of 1995 to March of 1997. He was assigned as the First Lieutenant and Fuels Officer. CAPT Frantzen served as the Fire Control Officer onboard USS HUE CITY (CG 66) from July 1997 to May 1999.

From August 2002 to August 2004, CAPT Frantzen served as Force Protection, Weapons, and Combat Systems Officer onboard the USS VALLEY FORGE (CG 50). He conducted Maritime Interdiction Operations in the North Arabian Gulf and was part of the Multi-national takedown of the MABOT and KAAOT Oil Terminals in the opening hours of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He was onboard the North Arabian Gulf Commander’s Flagship and as TAO ensured the shepherding of shipping out of the Khawr Abd Allah waterway in the days before the opening salvos of the war. From September 2004 to December 2007, CAPT Frantzen served as Executive Assistant to the Director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

From March 2008 to March 2010, CAPT Frantzen served as Executive Officer onboard USS TAYLOR (FFG 50). During his tour he completed a Standing NATO Maritime Group – One Deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. From June 2010 to November 2011, CAPT Frantzen served as Executive Officer onboard USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53). During this tour he completed an Arabian Gulf deployment as part of the JOHN C. STENNIS Carrier Strike Group in support of Operations NEW DAWN and ENDURING FREEDOM. From November 2012 to June 2014 CAPT Frantzen served as Commanding Officer of USS INGRAHAM (FFG 61). During his tour he deployed to Fourth Fleet in support of Counter Transnational Organized Crime successfully apprehending a Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) and interdicting 4551 kgs of Cocaine.

From July 2014 to January 2017, CAPT Frantzen served as Director/Deputy Director of Character Development and Training and the Chairman of Seamanship and Navigation at the USNA. From March 2017 to June 2020, CAPT Frantzen was the Base Commander of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story in Virginia Beach, VA.

In July 2020 CAPT Frantzen assumed command of the Naval ROTC Unit at Iowa State University.

CAPT Frantzen’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various command and campaign awards.

Lieutenant Commander Tammi L. Lawler

Executive Officer, Iowa State University NROTC

Originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa, Lieutenant Commander Lawler received her Associate of Applied Science as a Physical Therapy Assistant in 1998. She graduated magna cum laude from Minnesota State University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and Construction Management and holds a Master of Healthcare Management from Marymount University. In 2011, she was commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade through the In-Service Procurement Program as a Health Care Administrator in the Medical Service Corps. Lieutenant Commander Lawler enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1992. After completing Basic Training in Orlando, Florida, she graduated from Hospital Corpsman School in Great Lakes, Illinois. Her duty stations include Naval Hospital Cherry Point, North Carolina; Medical Education and Training Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Naval Hospital Charleston, South Carolina; Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Navy Reserve Personnel Command, New Orleans, Louisiana; I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), Camp Pendleton, CA, Navy Operational Support Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, D.C. Her service schools include the Physical Therapy Technician School, Field Medical Service School, and the Navy Instructor Training Course. Lieutenant Commander Lawler deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM from March – December 2003 with I MEF at Camp Coyote, Kuwait. She was selected and initiated as a Chief Petty Officer in 2007. Once commissioned, she was assigned to the Naval Health Clinic Quantico, Virginia, as the Human Resources and Administration Department Head and the Plans, Operations, and Medical Intelligence (POMI) Officer. In 2013, she reported on board the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH serving as Division Officer and Medical Administrative Officer forward deployed in support of operations ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, and ACTIVE ENDEAVOR. Lieutenant Commander Lawler was selected as a Joint Staff POMI fellow and transferred the Joint Staff Surgeon’s office in 2015. Her follow-on tour was in Naples, Italy as a medical planner for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa – Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. In 2018, Lieutenant Commander Lawler was a Healthcare Administrator at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital serving as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Interim Executive Officer, and the Navy Medical Readiness and Training Unit Deputy Director for Administration / POMI. In 2021, she was by name requested to support the Chief of Naval Operations Staff as Deputy Branch Head for Medical Plans and Policy (N0931D), Pentagon, DC. Since September 2023, Lieutenant Commander Lawler has led her community as the POMI Course Director, Navy Medical Professional Leadership Development Command, Bethesda, Maryland. Lieutenant Commander Lawler’s awards include the Joint Meritorious Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Good Conduct (five awards), a Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, various other unit, and campaign awards. Additionally, she earned her Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer device.