Lt. Col. Eric Kelly earned his commission as an Infantry Officer from Northern Arizona University and entered active duty in 2006. His first assignment was with 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he served as an Infantry platoon leader both in garrison and deployed to Iraq. Kelly, as part of the Branch Detail program, then began his transition to the Military Intelligence Corps of professionals.
Kelly has served in a variety of command, leadership, and staff assignments from tactical units, TRADOC, and organizations as a member of the Military Intelligence Corps. His assignments include Combat Aviation Brigade S2, Company Commander and Division G-2 Targeting officer in the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield barracks, Hawaii where he deployed to Afghanistan. After returning from Afghanistan, Kelly earned assignment to the Mission Command Training Program as the lead intelligence planner and executions operation officer for Division and Corps War Fighting Exercises. Following completion of Intermediate Level Education at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Kelly deployed to Afghanistan as the Bridge Combat Team S2 “Devil 2” with 1st Brigade 82nd and after served as the 82nd Airborne Division ACE Chief. He was then assigned to the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion as the Executive Officer preparing for and deploying elements in support of Defender Europe.
Kelly served as the 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade Operations Officer in support of intelligence enabling deployment operations and the planning for future Forces Design Updates. After Kelly was selected to serve in the Training and Readiness Division for FORSCOM G-2. Currently Kelly serves as the XVIII ABN Corps G2 ready to deploy at a moment’s notice and win tomorrow’s war.
Kelly is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Stryker Leaders Course, Military Intelligence Captains Career Course, Signal Intelligence Course, Command and General Staff College Intermediate-Level Education. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Northern Arizona University, a Masters in Intelligence Studies from the American Military University, a published Children’s Book author, is currently on a Board of Directors for the Smith-Kingsmore Syndrome Foundation, and selected by the SECDEF to serve as a member of the DoD Advisory Panel on Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs.
Kelly’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (two awards), the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two awards), the NATO Medal, the Ranger tab, the Parachutist’s badge, the Air Assault badge and the Expert Infantry badge.
Kelly and his wife are both proud parents of their two children.