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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox military person
| name = Aaron von Ehlinger
| name = Aaron von Ehlinger
| image = Aaron Von Ehlinger.jpg
| image = Aaron Von Ehlinger.jpg
| caption = Aaron von Ehlinger 2020
| caption = von Ehlinger in 2020
| birth_name =
| birth_date = May 7th, 1982
| birth_date = May 7th, 1982
| birth_place = [[Orofino, Idaho]]
⚫
| alma_mater = [[University of Alabama]] [[Bachelor's degree|(BA)]]
| birth_place = Orofino, Idaho
| allegiance = {{flagicon|United States}} [[United States|United States of America]]
| death_date =
| branch = [[File:United States Department of the Army Seal.svg|20px]] [[United States Army]]
| death_place =
| serviceyears = 2000–2003
| education = Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History
| rank = [[File:Army-USA-OR-04a.svg|20px]] [[Corporal]]
⚫
| alma_mater = University of Alabama
| unit = [[File:Combat service identification badge of the 101st Airborne Division.png|30px]]1st Battalion, [[187th Infantry Regiment]], [[101st Airborne Division]]
| occupation =
| battles = [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]
| home_town = Orofino, Idaho
| party = Republican
}}
}}
⚫
'''Aaron Anson von Ehlinger''' (born May 7, 1982) is a candidate for the [[Idaho House of Representatives|Idaho State House of Representatives]], [[Idaho Legislative District 6|District 6, seat A]], and is also an American veteran of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan.]]  He is a former [[United States Army Airborne School|United States Army Airborne]] and [[Air assault|Air Assault]] qualified [[Infantry|Infantryman]] who was deployed in support of the initial [[Joint Special Operations Command|Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF)]] mission to invade [[Afghanistan]] and destroy [[Al-Qaeda|Al Qaeda]] and the [[Taliban]] in 2001-2002. Von Ehlinger was attached to the [[10th Mountain Division|Combined Joint Task Force Mountain]] as a member of Task Force Rakkasan. He was initially deployed to Afghanistan with the first conventional, and highest-rated United States Army Infantry battalion in the [[War on terror|Global War On Terrorism (GWOT)]], the 1st Battalion [[187th Infantry Regiment (United States)|187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans)]].  Von Ehlinger left the U.S. Army due to multiple service related injuries in June of 2003. 
= Aaron von Ehlinger =
⚫
'''Aaron Anson von Ehlinger''' (born May 7, 1982) is a candidate for the [[Idaho House of Representatives|Idaho State House of Representatives]], [[Idaho Legislative District 6|District 6, seat A]], and is also an American veteran of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan.]]  He is a former [[United States Army Airborne School|United States Army Airborne]] and [[Air assault|Air Assault]] qualified [[Infantry|Infantryman]] who was deployed in support of the initial [[Joint Special Operations Command|Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF)]] mission to destroy [[Al-Qaeda|Al Qaeda]] and the [[Taliban]] in [[Afghanistan]] in 2001-2002 and was attached to the [[10th Mountain Division|Combined Joint Task Force Mountain]] as a member of Task Force Rakkasan.  [[Von]] Ehlinger was initially deployed to Afghanistan with the first conventional, and highest-rated United States Army Infantry battalion in the [[War on terror|Global War On Terrorism (GWOT)]], the 1st Battalion [[187th Infantry Regiment (United States)|187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans)]].  He left the U.S. Army due to multiple service related injuries in June 2003. 


== Early life and education ==
== Early Life and Education ==
Von Ehlinger was born on May 7th, 1982 in [[Orofino, Idaho]] where he spent his childhood playing sports, riding motorcycles, building hot rods, fishing, and hunting.  At the age of 15, Aaron’s family moved to [[Whitefish, Montana]].  As a kid, he always thought that the greatest thing a man could do was serve his country, and after his junior year at the age of 17, he entered the [[United States Army|U.S. Army's]] [[Delayed Entry Program]] and committed to serving in the Army’s elite Airborne Infantry.  In June of 2000, von Ehlinger graduated from Whitefish High School.  After the military, von Ehlinger graduated from the University of Alabama<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ua.edu/news/2018/05/spring-2018-graduates-announced-at-ua/|title=Spring 2018 Graduates Announced at UA – University of Alabama News {{!}} The University of Alabama|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref> with a double major Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History (Magna Cum Laude) and made the President’s List multiple times during his time in college.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ua.edu/news/2018/06/deans-list-students-named-for-ua-spring-2018-semester/|title=Dean’s List Students Named for UA Spring 2018 Semester – University of Alabama News {{!}} The University of Alabama|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref>
Von Ehlinger was born on May 7th, 1982 in [[Orofino, Idaho]] where he spent his childhood playing sports, riding motorcycles, building hot rods, fishing, and hunting.  At the age of 15, von Ehlinger's family moved to [[Whitefish, Montana]].  As a kid, he always thought that the greatest thing a man could do was serve his country, and after his junior year at the age of 17, he entered the [[United States Army|U.S. Army's]] [[Delayed Entry Program]] and committed to serving in the Army’s elite Airborne Infantry.  In June of 2000, von Ehlinger graduated from Whitefish High School.  After the military, von Ehlinger graduated from the University of Alabama<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ua.edu/news/2018/05/spring-2018-graduates-announced-at-ua/|title=Spring 2018 Graduates Announced at UA – University of Alabama News {{!}} The University of Alabama|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref> with a double major Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History (Magna Cum Laude). He made the President’s List multiple times during his time in college.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ua.edu/news/2018/06/deans-list-students-named-for-ua-spring-2018-semester/|title=Dean’s List Students Named for UA Spring 2018 Semester – University of Alabama News {{!}} The University of Alabama|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref>


== Military Career<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mail.clearwatertribune.com/Weekly%20Pages/2013/11-07-13/Nov0713Index.php|title=Clearwater Tribune online November 7, 2013 index page|website=mail.clearwatertribune.com|access-date=2020-01-14}}</ref>==
== Military Career<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mail.clearwatertribune.com/Weekly%20Pages/2013/11-07-13/Nov0713Index.php|title=Clearwater Tribune online November 7, 2013 index page|website=mail.clearwatertribune.com|access-date=2020-01-14}}</ref>==
⚫
Two weeks after graduating high school in the year 2000, von Ehlinger was sent to [[Fort Benning]], [[Georgia]] (The Home of The Infantry) for Basic Training, Advanced Individualized Training, and Airborne School.  He was then stationed with the 1st Battalion [[187th Infantry Regiment (United States)|187th Infantry Regiment]] (Rakkasans) of the [[101st Airborne Division]] (Air Assault) in [[Fort Campbell]], [[Kentucky]].  Shortly after arriving, von Ehlinger was sent to [[United States Army Air Assault School|Air Assault School]] to learn the science of [[Abseiling|rappelling]] and [[fast-roping]] operations and insertions from helicopters.  


⚫
Two weeks after graduating high school in the year 2000, von Ehlinger was sent to [[Fort Benning]], [[Georgia]] (The Home of The Infantry) for Basic Training, Advanced Individualized Training, and Airborne School.  He was then stationed with the 1st Battalion, [[187th Infantry Regiment (United States)|187th Infantry Regiment]] (Rakkasans) of the [[101st Airborne Division]] (Air Assault) in [[Fort Campbell]], [[Kentucky]].  Shortly after arriving, von Ehlinger was sent to [[United States Army Air Assault School|Air Assault School]] to learn the science of [[Abseiling|rappelling]] and [[fast-roping]] operations and insertions from helicopters.  
⚫
Not long after [[United States Army Air Assault School|Air Assault School]], the [[September 11 attacks|September 11th attacks]] of 2001 occurred.  Von Ehlinger’s unit was immediately placed on full alert and later deployed to Afghanistan and Pakistan in support of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force mission to defeat Al Qaeda and the Taliban as a member of Task Force Rakkasan, while attached to the Combined Joint Task Force Mountain.  Von Ehlinger has stated that It was during this time in his life that he learned the true meaning of sacrifice and leadership. He was 19 years old in Afghanistan. In 2002, von Ehlinger’s unit was sent back to Fort Campbell, Kentucky and in 2003 von Ehlinger was honorably discharged from the Army after sustaining multiple service related injuries in Afghanistan.  Von Ehlinger was discharged having attained the rank of [[Corporal]].

⚫
Not long after von Ehlinger completed [[United States Army Air Assault School|Air Assault School]], the [[September 11 attacks|September 11th attacks]] of 2001 occurred.  Von Ehlinger’s unit was immediately placed on full alert and later in 2001, was deployed to Afghanistan and [[Pakistan]] in support of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force mission to defeat Al Qaeda and the Taliban as a member of Task Force Rakkasan, while attached to the Combined Joint Task Force Mountain.  Von Ehlinger has stated that It was during this time in his life that he learned the true meaning of sacrifice and leadership. He was 19 years old in Afghanistan. In 2002, von Ehlinger’s unit redeployed to Fort Campbell, Kentucky and in 2003 von Ehlinger was honorably discharged from the Army after sustaining multiple service related injuries in Afghanistan.  Von Ehlinger was discharged having attained the rank of [[Corporal]].<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br />


== Weapons ==
== Weapons ==
As an Infantryman, Aaron has often been asked about his weapons and equipment.  In the field, he used the following:
As an Infantryman, von Ehlinger has often been asked about his weapons and equipment.  In the field, he used the following:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|+
Line 33: Line 32:
|-
|-
|[[M4 carbine|M4 carbine (5.56 NATO)]]
|[[M4 carbine|M4 carbine (5.56 NATO)]]
|with the [[Knight's Armament Company|Knight’s Armament Company (KAC)]] [[Rail Integration System|Rail Interface System]], with and without the [[M203 grenade launcher]], and with the [[AN/PEQ-2|AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL)]].
|Equipped with the [[Knight's Armament Company|Knight’s Armament Company (KAC)]] [[Rail Integration System|Rail Interface System]], with and without the [[M203 grenade launcher]], and with the [[AN/PEQ-2|AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL)]].
|-
|-
|[[M249 light machine gun|M249 SAW (5.56 NATO)]]
|[[M249 light machine gun|M249 SAW]] (5.56 NATO)
|with the [[Aimpoint CompM2|Aimpoint CompM2 M68]] Close Combat Optic, and the [[AN/PEQ-2|AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL)]].  In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger’s primary weapon was the [[M249 light machine gun|M249 SAW]].
|Equipped with the [[Aimpoint CompM2|Aimpoint CompM2 M68]] Close Combat Optic, and the AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL).  In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger’s primary weapon was the M249 SAW.
|-
|-
|[[M240 machine gun|M240 machine gun (7.62 NATO)]]
|[[M240 machine gun|M240 machine gun (7.62 NATO)]]
|with the [[AN/PEQ-2|AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL)]].
|Equipped with the AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL).
|-
|-
|[[Mk 19 grenade launcher|MK 19 grenade launcher]] (40mm, belt fed, fully automatic)
|[[Mk 19 grenade launcher|MK 19 grenade launcher]] (40mm, belt fed, fully automatic)
|either mounted on an [[M3 tripod]] or a [[Humvee]] (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV).  In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger was also an MK19 gunner.
|Mounted either on an [[M3 tripod]] or a [[Humvee]] (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV).  In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger was also an MK19 gunner.
|-
|-
|[[M2 Browning]] ([[.50 BMG]])
|[[M2 Browning]] ([[.50 BMG]])
|Equipped with the [[AN/PEQ-2|AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL)]], and mounted on an [[M3 tripod]] or a [[Humvee]] (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV).
|Equipped with the AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL), and mounted on an [[M3 tripod]] or a [[Humvee]] (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV).
|-
|-
|[[Beretta M9]] ([[9×19mm Parabellum|9x19mm Parabellum]])
|[[Beretta M9]] ([[9×19mm Parabellum|9x19mm Parabellum]])
Line 57: Line 56:
|-
|-
|[[M67 grenade]]
|[[M67 grenade]]
|Sandard fragmentation hand grenade
|Standard fragmentation hand grenade
|-
|-
|[[M18 Claymore mine|M18 Claymore Mine]]
|[[M18 Claymore mine|M18 Claymore Mine]]
|(directional anti-personnel mine)
|Directional anti-personnel mine
|-
|-
|[[M9 bayonet|M9 Bayonet with M10 scabbard.]]
|[[M9 bayonet|M9 Bayonet with M10 scabbard.]]
|In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger carried and used the M9 Bayonet.<br />
|In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger carried and used the M9 Bayonet.
|-
|-
|[[AN/PVS-14]]
|[[AN/PVS-14]]
Line 71: Line 70:
|Interceptor Multi-Threat Body Armor System (IBA)
|Interceptor Multi-Threat Body Armor System (IBA)
|}
|}

== Awards and Decorations ==
== Awards and Decorations ==

{| style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: center;"
{| style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: center;"
!Right Breast
!Right Breast
Line 86: Line 85:
| colspan="4" |<br />[[File:Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg|alt=|frameless|300x300px]]
| colspan="4" |<br />[[File:Combat_Infantry_Badge.svg|alt=|frameless|300x300px]]
|-
|-
! colspan="2" |[[File:AFParaBadge.jpg|alt=|right|frameless|172x172px]]
! colspan="2" |[[File:AFParaBadge.jpg|alt=|right|frameless|157x157px]]
! colspan="2" |[[File:Air Assault Badge with background trimming of 1st Battalion.png|alt=|left|frameless]]
! colspan="2" |[[File:Air Assault Badge with background trimming of 1st Battalion.png|alt=|left|frameless]]
|-
|-
Line 96: Line 95:
|-
|-
!
!
| colspan="2" |[[File:ARCOM1OLC.jpg|alt=|right|frameless|margin=|0em]]
| colspan="2" |[[File:ARCOM1OLC.jpg|alt=|right|frameless|0em]]
| colspan="2" |[[File:Army_Achievement_Medal_ribbon.svg|alt=|left|border|frameless|margin=|0em]]
| colspan="2" |[[File:Army_Achievement_Medal_ribbon.svg|alt=|left|frameless|0em]]
|-
|-
!
!
|[[File:Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.svg|alt=|center|border|frameless]]
|[[File:Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.svg|alt=|frameless]]
| colspan="2" |[[File:National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png|alt=|center|border|frameless]]
| colspan="2" |[[File:National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon.png|alt=|frameless]]
|[[File:Afghanistan_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg|alt=|center|border|frameless]]
|[[File:Afghanistan_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg|alt=|frameless]]
|-
|-
!
!
|[[File:Global_War_on_Terrorism_Expeditionary_Medal_ribbon.png|alt=|center|border|frameless]]
|[[File:Global_War_on_Terrorism_Expeditionary_Medal_ribbon.png|alt=|frameless]]
| colspan="2" |[[File:Global_War_on_Terrorism_Service_Medal_ribbon.png|alt=|center|border|frameless]]
| colspan="2" |[[File:Global_War_on_Terrorism_Service_Medal_ribbon.png|alt=|frameless]]
|[[File:Army Service Ribbon.svg|alt=|border|center|frameless|221x221px]]
|[[File:Army_Service_Ribbon.svg|alt=|frameless]]
|-
|-
![[File:101AirborneDivCSIB.jpg|alt=|frameless]]
![[File:101AirborneDivCSIB.jpg|alt=|frameless]]
| colspan="4" |<br />[[File:U.S. Army Expert Marksmanship Badge wClasp.png|alt=|frameless]]
| colspan="4" |<br />[[File:U.S. Army Expert Marksmanship Badge wClasp.png|alt=|frameless]]
|}<br /><br />
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: center; class=" wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto; text-align: center; class=" wikitable"
!
!
Line 146: Line 145:
!Badge
!Badge
| colspan="4" |[[Marksmanship badges (United States)|U.S. Army Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge]] w/ rifle Clasp
| colspan="4" |[[Marksmanship badges (United States)|U.S. Army Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge]] w/ rifle Clasp
|}<br /><br />
|}
⚫
== Post Military ==
⚫
After von Ehlinger left the military, he focused on recovering from the injuries he sustained while serving, and also on furthering his education.  Von Ehlinger later attempted to go back into the Army as an officer while in college, but after serious consultation with his doctors, he was deemed to be physically unfit for duty due to the previous service related injuries he incurred as an Infantryman in the Army.  After von Ehlinger’s discharge, he has stated that he felt considerable guilt over not being in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] with his [[platoon]]. For several years this affected aspects of his life. He has stated that this guilt led him to make choices that he is not proud of.  He has since attempted to apologize to all of his platoon mates for not being there when they needed him in Iraq, and also to others he felt he had wronged over the years. He has repented for his actions, and turned his life over to God. In 2004, von Ehlinger was a summer intern for the [[United States Forest Service|USDA Forest Service]] [[Nez Perce National Historic Trail]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5247717.pdf|title=SUMMER 2004 Progress Report|last=McFarland|first=Sandi|date=|website=U.S. Forest Service|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> office.  Von Ehlinger has worked in real estate investment and development, and the construction and private security industries.  He is also currently a substitute school teacher in his local school district. Von Ehlinger has travelled to over 25 countries, all 50 American States and is a member of the [https://allfiftyclub.com/ All Fifty Club]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://allfiftyclub.com/profile/|title=Profile|website=All Fifty Club|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref>. <br />



⚫
== Post Military ==
⚫
After von Ehlinger left the military, he focused on recovering from the injuries he sustained while serving, and also on furthering his education.  Von Ehlinger later attempted to go back into the Army as an officer while in college, but after serious consultation with his doctors, he was deemed to be physically unfit for duty due to the previous service related injuries he incurred as an Infantryman in the Army.  After von Ehlinger’s discharge, he has stated that he felt considerable guilt over not being in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] with his [[platoon]]. For several years this affected aspects of his life. He has stated that this guilt led him to make a lot of choices that he is not proud of.  He has since attempted to apologize to all of his platoon mates for not being there when they needed him in Iraq, and also to others he felt he had wronged over the years. He has repented for his actions, and turned his life over to God. In 2004, von Ehlinger was a summer intern for the [[United States Forest Service|USDA Forest Service]] [[Nez Perce National Historic Trail]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5247717.pdf|title=SUMMER 2004 Progress Report|last=McFarland|first=Sandi|date=|website=U.S. Forest Service|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> office.  Von Ehlinger has worked in real estate investment and development, and the construction and private security industries.  He is also currently a substitute school teacher in his local school district. Von Ehlinger has travelled to over 25 countries, and to all 50 American States and is a member of the [https://allfiftyclub.com/ All Fifty Club]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://allfiftyclub.com/profile/|title=Profile|website=All Fifty Club|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref>.


== Political Aspirations ==
== Political Aspirations ==
[[File:AaronVonEhlinger2020.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Aaron Von Ehlinger in the Idaho Senate Gallery]]
[[File:AaronVonEhlinger2020.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Aaron von Ehlinger in the Idaho State Senate Gallery]]
Since his discharge from the military, von Ehlinger has had a keen interest in politics.  He has stated ”politics always get involved in the wars that American heroes fight, so it is important that war veterans get involved in politics”.  After being urged by many people in his community, and after the release of the [[Afghanistan Papers]] by the [[The Washington Post|Washington Post]], von Ehlinger decided that he wants to once again serve his country and community.  He is a candidate for the Idaho State House of Representatives, District 6, Seat A, as a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party.]]
Since his discharge from the military, von Ehlinger has had a keen interest in politics.  He has stated ”politics always get involved in the wars that American heroes fight, so it is important that war veterans get involved in politics”.  After being urged by many people in his community, and after the release of the [[Afghanistan Papers]] by the [[The Washington Post|Washington Post]], von Ehlinger decided that now is the time to once again serve his country and community.  He is a candidate for the Idaho State House of Representatives, District 6, Seat A, as a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party.]]


== Organizations ==
== Organizations ==


* Life Member - [[Republican Party (United States)|Grand Old Party]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]])
* Life Member - [[Republican Party (United States)|Grand Old Party]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]])

* Life Member - [[National Rifle Association]]
* Life Member - [[National Rifle Association]]
* Life Member - [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]]
* Life Member - [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]]
* Life Member - [https://www.cibassoc.com/ Combat Infantrymen’s Association]
* Life Member - [https://www.cibassoc.com/ Combat Infantrymen’s Association]
* Life Member - [https://screamingeagle.org/ 101st Airborne Division Association]
* Life Member - [https://screamingeagle.org/ 101st Airborne Division Association]
* Life Member - [https://www.rakkasanassociation.org/ National Rakkasan Association] ([[187th Infantry Regiment (United States)|187th Infantry Regiment]])
* Life Member - [https://www.rakkasanassociation.org/ National Rakkasan Association] ([[187th Infantry Regiment (United States)|187th Infantry Regiment]])
* Member - [[American Legion]]
* Member - [[American Legion]]
* General Board Member - [http://lctwinscubs.blogspot.com/ Lewis-Clark Twins/Cubs American Legion Baseball]
* General Board Member - [http://lctwinscubs.blogspot.com/ Lewis-Clark Twins/Cubs American Legion Baseball]
* Member - [https://alumni.ua.edu/ University of Alabama Alumni Association]
* Member - [https://alumni.ua.edu/ University of Alabama Alumni Association]
* Member - [https://allfiftyclub.com/ All 50 Club].
* Member - [https://allfiftyclub.com/ All 50 Club].


<br /><br /><br />
== References and notes ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
__FORCETOC__
__FORCETOC__

Latest revision as of 07:05, 8 June 2020

Aaron von Ehlinger
von Ehlinger in 2020
BornMay 7th, 1982
Orofino, Idaho
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service2000–2003
Rank Corporal
Unit1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Battles / warsWar in Afghanistan
Alma materUniversity of Alabama (BA)

Aaron Anson von Ehlinger (born May 7, 1982) is a candidate for the Idaho State House of Representatives, District 6, seat A, and is also an American veteran of the War in Afghanistan.  He is a former United States Army Airborne and Air Assault qualified Infantryman who was deployed in support of the initial Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF) mission to invade Afghanistan and destroy Al Qaeda and the Taliban in 2001-2002. Von Ehlinger was attached to the Combined Joint Task Force Mountain as a member of Task Force Rakkasan. He was initially deployed to Afghanistan with the first conventional, and highest-rated United States Army Infantry battalion in the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT), the 1st Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans).  Von Ehlinger left the U.S. Army due to multiple service related injuries in June of 2003. 

Early Life and Education

[edit]

Von Ehlinger was born on May 7th, 1982 in Orofino, Idaho where he spent his childhood playing sports, riding motorcycles, building hot rods, fishing, and hunting.  At the age of 15, von Ehlinger's family moved to Whitefish, Montana.  As a kid, he always thought that the greatest thing a man could do was serve his country, and after his junior year at the age of 17, he entered the U.S. Army's Delayed Entry Program and committed to serving in the Army’s elite Airborne Infantry.  In June of 2000, von Ehlinger graduated from Whitefish High School.  After the military, von Ehlinger graduated from the University of Alabama[1] with a double major Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History (Magna Cum Laude). He made the President’s List multiple times during his time in college.[2]

Military Career[3]

[edit]

Two weeks after graduating high school in the year 2000, von Ehlinger was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia (The Home of The Infantry) for Basic Training, Advanced Individualized Training, and Airborne School.  He was then stationed with the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans) of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  Shortly after arriving, von Ehlinger was sent to Air Assault School to learn the science of rappelling and fast-roping operations and insertions from helicopters.  

Not long after von Ehlinger completed Air Assault School, the September 11th attacks of 2001 occurred.  Von Ehlinger’s unit was immediately placed on full alert and later in 2001, was deployed to Afghanistan and Pakistan in support of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force mission to defeat Al Qaeda and the Taliban as a member of Task Force Rakkasan, while attached to the Combined Joint Task Force Mountain.  Von Ehlinger has stated that It was during this time in his life that he learned the true meaning of sacrifice and leadership. He was 19 years old in Afghanistan. In 2002, von Ehlinger’s unit redeployed to Fort Campbell, Kentucky and in 2003 von Ehlinger was honorably discharged from the Army after sustaining multiple service related injuries in Afghanistan.  Von Ehlinger was discharged having attained the rank of Corporal.









Weapons

[edit]

As an Infantryman, von Ehlinger has often been asked about his weapons and equipment.  In the field, he used the following:

Weapon Details
M4 carbine (5.56 NATO) Equipped with the Knight’s Armament Company (KAC) Rail Interface System, with and without the M203 grenade launcher, and with the AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL).
M249 SAW (5.56 NATO) Equipped with the Aimpoint CompM2 M68 Close Combat Optic, and the AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL).  In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger’s primary weapon was the M249 SAW.
M240 machine gun (7.62 NATO) Equipped with the AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL).
MK 19 grenade launcher (40mm, belt fed, fully automatic) Mounted either on an M3 tripod or a Humvee (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV).  In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger was also an MK19 gunner.
M2 Browning (.50 BMG) Equipped with the AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL), and mounted on an M3 tripod or a Humvee (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle HMMWV).
Beretta M9 (9x19mm Parabellum) In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger’s primary side arm was the Beretta M9 pistol.
BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) The BGM-71 TOW ("Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided") is an American anti-tank missile.
AT4 shoulder fired 84mm Anti-tank weapon The AT4 (also AT-4)[8] is an 84-mm unguided, portable, single-shot recoilless smoothbore weapon built in Sweden by Saab Bofors Dynamics.
M67 grenade Standard fragmentation hand grenade
M18 Claymore Mine Directional anti-personnel mine
M9 Bayonet with M10 scabbard. In Afghanistan, von Ehlinger carried and used the M9 Bayonet.
AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device (MNDV).
Interceptor Body Armor Interceptor Multi-Threat Body Armor System (IBA)

Awards and Decorations

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Right Breast Left Breast


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Right Breast Left Breast
Insignia 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
Badges Parachutist Badge Air Assault Badge
1st Row Army Commendation Medal w/ Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Army Achievement Medal
2nd Row Army Good Conduct Medal National Defense Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal
3rd Row Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War On Terrorism Service Medal Army Service Ribbon
Badge 101st Airborne Division Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB) Badge U.S. Army Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge w/ rifle Clasp



Post Military

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After von Ehlinger left the military, he focused on recovering from the injuries he sustained while serving, and also on furthering his education.  Von Ehlinger later attempted to go back into the Army as an officer while in college, but after serious consultation with his doctors, he was deemed to be physically unfit for duty due to the previous service related injuries he incurred as an Infantryman in the Army.  After von Ehlinger’s discharge, he has stated that he felt considerable guilt over not being in the invasion of Iraq with his platoon. For several years this affected aspects of his life. He has stated that this guilt led him to make choices that he is not proud of.  He has since attempted to apologize to all of his platoon mates for not being there when they needed him in Iraq, and also to others he felt he had wronged over the years. He has repented for his actions, and turned his life over to God. In 2004, von Ehlinger was a summer intern for the USDA Forest Service Nez Perce National Historic Trail[4] office.  Von Ehlinger has worked in real estate investment and development, and the construction and private security industries.  He is also currently a substitute school teacher in his local school district. Von Ehlinger has travelled to over 25 countries, all 50 American States and is a member of the All Fifty Club[5].


Political Aspirations

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Aaron von Ehlinger in the Idaho State Senate Gallery

Since his discharge from the military, von Ehlinger has had a keen interest in politics.  He has stated ”politics always get involved in the wars that American heroes fight, so it is important that war veterans get involved in politics”.  After being urged by many people in his community, and after the release of the Afghanistan Papers by the Washington Post, von Ehlinger decided that now is the time to once again serve his country and community.  He is a candidate for the Idaho State House of Representatives, District 6, Seat A, as a member of the Republican Party.

Organizations

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References

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  1. ^ "Spring 2018 Graduates Announced at UA – University of Alabama News | The University of Alabama". Retrieved 2020-01-16.
  2. ^ "Dean's List Students Named for UA Spring 2018 Semester – University of Alabama News | The University of Alabama". Retrieved 2020-01-16.
  3. ^ "Clearwater Tribune online November 7, 2013 index page". mail.clearwatertribune.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  4. ^ McFarland, Sandi. "SUMMER 2004 Progress Report" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Profile". All Fifty Club. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
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