By Krystal Delfino
photos by Dana Rogers

When asked what his goals in life were growing up, Major Kris Morlen  says that he had always knew he wanted to serve in the military in some way, even when he was a young child. But, what would inspire such a strong desire in a little boy?

“I guess it was just the patriotic movies…A steady diet of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, and G.I. Joes. It just appealed to me.”

The good versus evil dynamic was something that spoke to Morlen’s noble senses, and so he joined the military in 1986. However, he did not realize from the beginning that this would become a lifelong passion for him.

“I figured it would just be another chapter of my life, and then I’d go on to do other things. Get my college education…”

In 1988, Morlen began attending college at Indiana University Southeast. Very early in his academic career, he realized he missed the camaraderie and fast-paced life the military had given him, so he joined the Army Reserve as a traditional member, serving one weekend a month and two weeks every summer.

“There was just so much of it that I missed that I didn’t fully appreciate before.”

Getting back in the saddle, so to speak, as a Reservist, Morlen was able to feel more content while working hard to earn his Bachelor’s in Economics, which he completed in 1991. Following this, he began working as a banker in Louisville. After a few years, the call of duty and the need for a more exciting life pulled him out of his desk job and into a full-time military career with the Kentucky Army National Guard in 1994.

It was as a result of this that Morlen eventually came to work here at the University of Kentucky. The assignment to work as an assistant professor teaching military science and ROTC actually came as a surprise. Ironically, Morlen said he had two years of ROTC in college and he was not exactly in love with it at the time. Even though it might not have been a placement he would have sought out, he says:

“I came here with the attitude that I would do my absolute best because that’s what a Soldier does.”

Now, just a little over two years after he first came to campus, he would describe it as being a fulfilling position, the one in which he feels he has made the greatest impact so far in his life.

“I’ll say that when my time is up, I’ll leave here just like I came – kicking and screaming.”

So what is it that makes Morlen’s job so great? He enjoys watching the students in his entry-level Military Science or Discovery Seminar classes enthusiastically taking notes, the “light bulbs” that flash across their faces as they learn valuable lessons about leadership. Personal interactions with his students are also very important.

“It’s 10% of the job, but it’s 90% of my job satisfaction.”

It seems that Morlen thrives in the role as a mentor. He is pleased when previous students come back to him seeking guidance. Instead of just telling them what to do, he prefers to help someone come to an answer on their own, with a sort of “teach a man to fish” philosophy.

Shaping the next generation is something Morlen considers to be a high calling. UK’s ROTC classes are very beneficial in this because they teach values that extend beyond military duty and into civilian lives.

“I would recommend it to anyone because I don’t think there’s a finer leadership training program on campus than ROTC. Even if you just take a year, I’m absolutely certain that there are several  “golden nuggets” that you can take with you… It’s a great elective!”

You can tell that Major Morlen strongly believes in the value of the program by his extreme dedication. He gets up at 4 a.m. every morning so he can be on campus and ready to give it his best for physical training at 6 a.m. From there he moves on to phone calls and e-mails, his teaching, and afterwards he looks to his duties as Battalion Executive Officer.

“It’s a mad dash all day long, until I hit the front door…. The best part of my day is actually walking in the door and [my son] running at me full speed yelling ‘Daddy Daddy Daddy!’”

That’s right, amidst the hectic routines of his career, Morlen is also carrying out the role of a father. A self-described family man, he has a shelf in his office dedicated to pictures of his wife and child. Having a son has impacted the way he thinks about his job with the ROTC.

“When I first came here, I kind of had a litmus test of ‘Would I want this cadet in my unit if I were his commander?’ But then as my son started to get a little older, started to walk and talk, I kind of changed that to ‘Would I want this cadet leading my son in harm’s way?’ So that is now, I think, a much more accurate and meaningful litmus test.”

Whether it’s serving overseas, teaching on a college campus, or maybe someday coaching his son’s t-ball team, Morlen will always be doing something to impact the future of our country and its youth. Like the heroes from the movies, he will strive to create a better environment for everyone:

“…One man against great odds, fighting for a cause. Just noble subject matter that appealed to a young boy that never quite left me.”