Reserve Officer Training Corps Director Paul Lehto's office displays the makings of his military career -- including a collection of army posters, gadgets and uniforms -- as well as a colorful painting by his son.
Like his office located in the back of Leverone Field House, Lehto's character is a mixture of the rough and soft sides. He stands a little over 6 feet feet tall with a muscular build and short spiky blonde hair that is usually shaved.
Lehto is both a hardcore military captain and a family-oriented man.
His hobbies include weightlifting, reading about military history, wargames, taking part in his son's Cub Scout activities and participating in the Sons of the Union Veterans Association Civil War Roundtable, an organization of sons of Civil War veterans who meet monthly to discuss Civil War battles and leaders.
This month marks Lehto's one year anniversary at the College. He lives in Hanover with his wife and two sons, who are 16 months and eight years old.
"For the first time, my military post is located close to home which is a wonderful thing for my family," said Letho, who said he enjoys the beautiful and snow-filled environment of New Hampshire.
Lehto is a native of Kingston, Mass. After graduating from Bethney College in West Virginia in 1984 -- where he tried unsuccesfully to establish the ROTC program -- he began to pursue a career with the military.
"Even as a child, I was interested in military history," he said.
Lehto's ties with the military are extensive. He even boasts of an ancestor who fought for the Union during the Civil War.
At Fort Benning, Ga., Lehto served his first duty assignment as platoon leader in charge of 35 soldiers and four combat vehicles until 1989.
Before heading the Dartmouth ROTC program, he was stationed at Hawaii as company commander. There, he was put in charge of 214 soldiers and equipment close to eight million inventory.
While serving as company commander in Hawaii, Lehto said he"could have qualified to become a marriage counselor," because he helped soldiers and their wives resolve conflicts.
"Being married while in the military requries both sides to make it work," he said.
Lehto met his own wife on a blind date in Jan. 1987 -- one he originally turned down because he got cold feet.
Lehto's head was shaven because he was attending air school, and, after she saw him for the first time, his soon-to-be wife turned to a friend and remarked "I can't believe you're setting me up with him."
Three months later, Lehto was engaged to the woman.
After leaving Hawaii, he was also offered a position in the National Guard Army Reserve and one in Lousiana, but chose to come to Dartmouth.
Lehto said he thought his sons would enjoy growing up around Hanover and could learn to ski here.
As director of the College's ROTC, a program under the jurisdiction of Dean of the College Lee Pelton's office, Lehto has all the privileges of a visiting professor.
He teaches ROTC classes, including lessons in map reading and weapons training, and also occasionally leads physical training sessions.
But Lehto has done more than simply trained the College's cadets -- he has also reformed the ROTC and prevented it from being moved off-campus, according to Mary Albert '98, a cadet in the ROTC program.
"In one year, Lehto has been a stablizing force to the program," she said.
Additionally, Lehto has worked to publicize the College's ROTC program, which is small in comparison to schools where students can get academic credit for it. Currently, there are 16 cadets in training here.
Many students are not aware of the College's ROTC program, but, Lehto said, it is becoming more well-known.
He said this year a mailing about Dartmouth's ROTC has been sent to all incoming freshman in hopes of expanding the program, and the ROTC "took part in the color guard for the first time at a recent football game."
Lehto said he applies the concepts he developed in command to training Dartmouth's cadets. But, he said, the ROTC program is very different from a military institution.
"There's less comradeship, but still a lot of respect and loyalty among cadets," he said.
Dartmouth's ROTC Cadets spend one or two hours in military courses, two hours in leadership lab and two hours in Physical training each week.
Most of the cadets' physical training takes place at Leverone, but outdoor and field training is done at the Dartmouth Skiway and Storr's Pond.
Cadet Katherine Miller '01, who comes from a military-oriented family and is considering pursuing a career in the service, said that any gratitude is well-deserved.
Lehto is "incredibly understanding of the cadets and their work schedules," she said. "[I hope] everyone in the military will be like that."
But Lehto said he will not stay at Dartmouth indefinitely. He will get back to work with troops in an infantry unit at the end of his three-year post here.
