Courtesy Photo | An image of U.S. Army Col. Mike Aberle. (U.S. Army Courtesy photo/Released)... read more read more
BISMARCK, N.D. — A new North Dakota National Guard Army chief of staff has been named to the leadership position. Appointed by Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, Col. Giselle “Gigi” Wilz, of Bismarck, succeeds the retiring Col. Mike Aberle, also of Bismarck.
Wilz joined the NDNG in 1983 and is the first woman in the history of the North Dakota Army National Guard to rise from enlisted Soldier to the rank of colonel – and now the first female chief of staff for the Army component of the North Dakota Guard.
The Richardton, N.D., native received her commission as a 2nd Lt. in 1986 and previously served full-time as the deputy chief of staff for operations. She has served in several North Dakota Guard units as both a quartermaster and engineer officer. She deployed to the Middle East for Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and also served in Kosovo from 2009-10 as the operations officer (G3) for the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
“Col. Aberle will be missed, and we are glad he has decided to join our ranks as a civilian,” said Sprynczynatyk. “Col. Wilz brings with her a depth of knowledge and competence that will serve the organization well. She understands the needs of our soldiers and will always place their welfare and mission readiness as our main priority.”
As a civilian, Aberle will be the new transition assistance advisor at the Military Service Center in Bismarck and will continue to help Guardsmen transition from deployments in that capacity. He enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard on his 17th birthday in 1978 as a field wireman with the Edgeley, N.D., based Company D, 141st Engineer Battalion. He earned his commission as a 2nd Lt. in 1983 through the North Dakota State University Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC).
He began his officer career as a platoon leader with the Jamestown, North Dakota based Company B, 141st Engineer Battalion in 1983 and has served in numerous key positions on both the full-time staff as well as traditional positions within the North Dakota Army National Guard.
Aberle’s other key assignments include command of the 68th Troop Command Commander, the 142nd Engineer Battalion (Corps) (Heavy), and the 164th Engineer Battalion; Executive Officer and Operations Officer for the Engineer Brigade, 34th Infantry Division; Commander of Company D, 141st Engineer Battalion and Company C, 141st Engineer Battalion. He assumed duties as North Dakota Army National Guard's Chief of Staff in October 2011.
Aberle was deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008 as the strategic plans officer with the Bismarck based Engineer Brigade, 34th Infantry Division in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Gulf Region Division.
He is a 1984 graduate of North Dakota State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Education. He also earned his master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
“I am really looking forward to working in my new position. It will allow me the opportunity to continue working with Soldiers and Veterans, and I believe that I have a unique perspective that will help me understand Guard members as they transition from active military service back to the civilian world,” said Aberle. “I look forward to being able to help them in any way I can.”
Aberle’s military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Achievement Medal (two awards) and the Iraq Campaign Medal. He has over 33 years of military service.
Aberle resides in Bismarck, North Dakota with his wife Shelle. They have four daughters between them: Capt. Sara Aberle (Minnesota National Guard), Jen Skibiciki and Pvt. Rebbekah McPherron, North Dakota National Guard and Emmaleis McPherron along with one grandson, Hudson. Aberle’s parents are Richard and Lorraine Aberle. Richard served 35 years in the North Dakota Guard and retired as a sergeant major.
Wilz has received several awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal (with three Campaign Stars), the Kosovo Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Defense of Saudi Arabia Medal, the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Medal, the North Dakota National Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon, the North Dakota National Guard Commendation Ribbon and the Meritorious Unit Citation.
Wilz said she is excited for her the next stage of her career and looks forward to working as the chief of staff. “This position will provide me an opportunity to help strategically move the organization forward as we look ahead to the future of our Guard. This leadership step gives me more ways to serve our Soldiers, as well as the state and nation.”
Her family is part of a proud National Guard tradition. Beside her late father Charles Wilz who served 39 years in the North Dakota Guard, three of her brothers, Greg, Gary and Grant and a nephew Justin have also served North Dakota in uniform.
Wilz graduated from Dickinson State University in 1990 with a Bachelors of Science in Education and holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. Besides her new duties as Army chief of staff, she commands the Fargo-based 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
| Date Taken: | 07.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.09.2013 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 109892 |
| Location: | BISMARCK, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 373 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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