Military Service
I’ve received many questions about the particulars of my military service, so I thought it made good sense to make that information publicly available. Below follows my military biography as compiled by one of my endorsers, the Combat Veterans for Congress PAC.
I am thankful for having had the opportunity to serve my country and defend its freedoms. My service built and tested my character towards servant leadership in difficult circumstances. It taught me to tackle my duty with equal parts enthusiasm and gravity—the same attitude with which I approach my intent to serve you as a Congressman. I hope the information below helps illustrate the depth of my convictions and my proven ability to act boldly in the interest of citizens like you.
In Service,
Erik Aadland entered the Army through a Presidential appointment to the US Military Academy at West Point, New York in June 1998. While at West Point, he rowed crew and participated in intramural football, rugby, and wrestling. He graduated on June 1, 2002, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Philosophy.
Cadet Erik Aadland was sworn into the US Army as a Second Lieutenant on June 1, 2002, at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York. On July 7, 2002, 2nd LT Aadland reported to the US Army Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, KY, he completed training on November 22, 2002, and was transferred to Fort Hood, TX to the 3rd Armor Battalion, 66th Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division as an Assistant Operations Officer (A/S3).
In March 2003, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2nd LT Aadland departed from Ft Hood with the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Division for Bayji, Iraq as an Assistant Operations Officer. Two months in theatre, 2nd LT Aadland assumed command of a Tank Platoon. His Tank Platoon was responsible for patrolling the city of Bayji, Iraq; 2nd LT Aadland personally conducted over 200 combat missions which included several engagements with the enemy. On December 1, 2003, 2nd LT Aadland was promoted to First Lieutenant. Combat actions occurred in and around Bayji, Iraq.
In March 2004, 1st LT Aadland returned to Fort Hood with the 1st Battalion and was assigned command of the Battalion Scout Platoon. For combat operation he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (with Combat “V”), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and various Service and Campaign Medals. He was subsequently assigned as Cavalry Troop Executive Officer (XO), then as Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General of III Corps and Fort Hood.
On February 1, 2005, 1st LT Aadland reported to Scout Platoon Leaders Course at Ft Knox, completing training on February 20, 2005, and returned to Fort Hood, TX. On September 1, 2005, 1st LT Aadland was promoted to Captain. On October 15, 2006, CPT Aadland reported to Captain’s Career Course at Ft Knox, completing training on March 30, 2007. On April 6, 2007, CPT Aadland reported to Calvary Leader’s Course in Ft Knox, completing training on April 29, 2007. On April 30, 2007, he reported to the 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and served on the Brigade Staff as Assistant Operations Officer and Force Modernization Officer. On November 16, 2008, CPT Aadland assumed command of C Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
In July 2009, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, CPT Aadland departed from Fort Lewis with C Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division as Stryker Reconnaissance Troop Commander (Company-sized element) to Spin Boldak, Afghanistan (Kandahar District). His Command was responsible for the border crossing point between Afghanistan and Pakistan, considered the second most important strategic location in theater. Combat actions occurred in and around Spin Boldak, in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan. During his deployment, his Troop was visited twice by ISAF Commanders GEN Stanley McChrystal and GEN David Petraeus. In July 2010, CPT Aadland returned to Ft Lewis, WA with C Troop, and the 5th Stryker Brigade. For combat operations he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Overseas Ribbon, the NATO Medal, various Service, and Campaign Medals.
CPT Aadland was posted to Ft Lewis and was assigned as Brigade Assistant Operations Officer (S3), Brigade Force Modernization Officer, then Troop Commander. After relinquishing command as Troop Commander, he then served as Battalion Assistant Operations Officer (S3) while transitioning out of the Army; on January 1, 2011, he resigned from the US Army.
Captain Erik Aadland’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal (with Combat “V”), Bronze Star Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster for 2nd award), Meritorious Service Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster for 2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster for 2nd award), Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (Bronze Star for 2nd award), the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and various Service and Campaign Medals.
Captain Erik Aadland’s Military Awards
Bronze Star Medal
When the medal is awarded for acts of valor in combat, the “V” device is authorized for wear on the medal.
An oak leaf cluster is a ribbon device to denote preceding decorations and awards consisting of a miniature bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem.
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Award
Army Achievement Award
Each military service issues its own version of the Achievement Medal, with a fifth version authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense for joint military activity. The Achievement Medal is awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service not of a nature that would otherwise warrant awarding the Commendation Medal. Award authority rests with local commanders, granting a broad discretion of when and for what action the Achievement Medal may be awarded.
Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Medal
The NATO Medal was first established in 1996 to recognize individuals who had served in the Implementation Force (IFOR) as part of Operation Joint Endeavor in Former Yugoslavia. A new ribbon was established in 1999 for participants in Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. As NATO operations became more common, different ribbons were established for each operation.
Combat Action Badge
The Combat Action Badge (CAB) is a United States military award given to soldiers of the U.S. Army of any rank and who are not members of an infantry or special forces MOS, for being “present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with prescribed rules of engagement” at any point in time after 18 September 2001.
On 2 May 2005, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army (CSA) approved the creation of the CAB to provide special recognition to U.S. soldiers who personally engaged, or are engaged by, the enemy.[3] The CAB is intended to serve as a companion to the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and Combat Medical Badge (CMB) and was created to recognize the greatly expanded role of non-infantry soldiers in active, ground combat.