PODCASTS
Eric Fretz: The Navy, Building Virtuous Cults, and The Meandering Path
Dr. Eric Fretz is a faculty member at the University of Michigan ( https://umich.edu/), teaching at the University of Michigan in the Psychology Department, the School of Education, and the College of Engineering, and teaches the LSA core course for the Minor in Entrepreneurship. Dr. Fretz has completed two Bachelors's degrees, two Masters degrees, and a dual Ph.D. in Education and Psychology. Retired from 20 years of active and reserve service as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. He began his career on USS CHOSIN (CG-65), deploying for the first Persian Gulf War and qualifying as Fleet & Special Evolutions OOD, Gas Turbine EOOW, and Surface Warfare Officer. His military career included three deployments to the Persian Gulf, from Operation Desert Storm to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He closed out his career with a year-long mobilization to Baghdad, Iraq, serving in the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, assigned to the 'Army's 18th Airborne Corps in 2008. While in Iraq, he also started a scout troop and built a camp for Iraqi youth around Victory Base. He has earned over 30 military awards, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.