COL Jon Velishka
Colonel Jon Velishka is a 1997 graduate of the University of Maine, where he was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of Maine, a Master of Arts degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University, a Master of Science degree from the National War College in National Security Strategy, and a Master of Arts degree from the Naval War College in National Security and Strategic Studies.
His early assignments include 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment and Commander of the 25th Field Artillery Detachment (Target Acquisition), 25th Infantry Division; 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery and 1-66 Armor as a Battalion Fire Support Officer, 4th Infantry Division. He also served as an Observer/Controller at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
He was then assigned to the 75th Field Artillery Brigade as the Brigade Operations Officer in Tikrit, Iraq in support of Multi-National Division – North, both the 1st Armored Division and 25th Infantry Division. Following his time in 75th FA BDE he served in both Afghanistan and Kuwait as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Commanding General, Third U.S. Army, USARCENT and as the long-range planner for the Chief of Staff of The Army, Washington D.C.
His commands include 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division and the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Following battalion command, he served as a Special Assistant to the Director, Joint Staff, J7, Joint Force Development.
Following brigade command, Colonel Velishka served as the Division Chief for the Fire Support and Air and Missile Defense Division in the HQDA, DCoS, G8, and the Chief of Staff for the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Transition Team. Most recently, he was a Special Assistant to the Director of the Army Staff.
COL Velishka is married and has two children.