Lt. Col. Janet Kirkton (center) has recently left her position as professor of military science and head of the university’s Army ROTC Program to assist with planning efforts for the Iraq War. Kirkton leaves UT Martin with plenty of enthusiasm for her new assignment. Specific duties will evolve after she arrives in Iraq, but she does know that she will participate in strategic and contingency planning for the war effort at the highest level. For example, it won’t be unusual for her to observe discussions between the Iraqi president and commanding general. Before coming to UT Martin in fall 2005, Kirkton was an operations officer for the 1st Engineer Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. She also previously taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, so when the UT Martin assignment opened, the Skyhawk Battalion and Martin appeared to be a perfect fit. She is pictured above with members of the UT Martin Skyhawk Battalion before leaving for Iraq. Pictured with Kirkton are (front row, left to right) 2nd Lt. Tyler McAnally and 2nd Lt. Travis Payne, both May 2008 UT Martin graduates; and (back row, left to right) Maj. James Lacy and Capt. Donny Hebel.