User:LAApress/Eric d. ahlness

Eric D. Ahlness
Colonel Eric D. Ahlness was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Minnesota National Guard in June 1986. He attended Officer Basic Course and is qualified in Military Intelligence and Infantry. He has served in the Minnesota Army National Guard in the United States and Bosnia. Col. Ahlness is currently assigned as the Director of Government Relations for the Minnesota National Guard, headquartered in St. Paul, MN. In this role, he is responsible for developing strategic partnerships and campaigns for the National Guard.

Big textEducation

Eric Ahlness has earned Bachelor of Science Degrees in History and Geography from Mankato State University. He holds Master Degrees in Political Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Big textPersonal History

Col. Ahlness was born May 27, 1964, in Tracy, Minnesota. He and his wife, Lori, married in 1992 and have a daughter. Col. Ahlness is frequently requested as a speaker on veteran and military issues. Col. Ahlness has volunteered in mentoring youth through archery, hunting, Boy Scout Venturing, and the Bluebird Recovery Program of Minnesota activities. He is an active member of Eagle Brook Church in White Bear Lake, MN.

Big textMilitary Career

Col. Ahlness began Army ROTC in 1982, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1986. His first assignment was as an intelligence officer, 2nd Battalion, 135 Infantry Regiment, Mankato, Minnesota. He then served as Scout Platoon Leader of an infantry battalion, and promoted to Company Commander for the Light Infantry Company in Tracy and Redwood Falls, Minnesota.

Col. Ahlness joined the full-time National Guard staff in 1988, serving as Training Officer of 2/135 Infantry Battalion, Director of Family Programs for the Minnesota National Guard, Brigade Training Officer, and Intelligence Officer of 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, Stillwater, Minnesota.

In 1991, he returned to 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment as the Executive Officer, and full-time Officer in Charge. In 2001, Col. Ahlness served as Assistant Chief of Staff, G1 (Personnel) for the 34th Infantry Division.

In 2003, he was the Army's first operationally deployed Assistant Chief of Staff, G7 (Information Operations), assigned to Multi-National Brigade (North), SFOR-14, Operation Joint Forge, Bosnia and Herzegovina, headquartered at Eagle Base near Tuzla.

After returning to Minnesota from the deployment, and became Director of Government Relations in 2006. He currently works for Joint Forces, Headquarters, in St. Paul, MN.