Chaplain Edwin Ahl is a native of McKinleyville, California. He entered active duty in April 1969, attending the U.S. Navy Basic Course in San Diego, CA. He then went to Radar School at Treasure Island, CA and became an Electronic Warfare Specialist. After a tour in Vietnam (’72), he departed the military and attended college. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves in September 1979 and became a 12B, Demolitions Sergeant, until moving to Tulsa, OK. In Tulsa, OK, he transferred to a Field Artillery unit and became a 13F, Forward Observer. He re-entered active duty in January 1988, as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army.

Chaplain Ahl’s assignments include tours with 1-87th Inf (10th Mtn Div), Ft. Drum, NY; 87th Maintenance Battalion, Wertheim, Germany (where he deployed to Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-91); 4-11th ACR, Fulda, Germany; 2-11th ACR (OPFOR), National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, CA; 1-504th Inf Battalion, Ft. Bragg, NC; 325th Inf Brigade, Ft. Bragg, NC; 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Ft. Campbell, KY; 2nd Brigade, 2nd ID, Camp Hovey, Korea; Observer/Controller, National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, CA; 1st COSCOM, Ft. Bragg, NC (where he deployed to Iraq for OIF), 18th Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg, NC, Deputy Installation Chaplain, Ft. Bliss, TX, and Command Chaplain of the US Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL.

CH Ahl’s duty positions include: Battalion Chaplain, Brigade Chaplain, Regimental Chaplain, Observer/ Controller, Deputy COSCOM Chaplain, Deputy Corps Chaplain, Deputy Installation Chaplain, and now Command Chaplain.

CH Ahl’s military education includes: Command and General Staff College; CAS3; Chaplain’s Advanced Course; Chaplain’s Basic Course; Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape – High Risk (SERE-C) Course; Airborne School; Air Assault School; Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course; Primary Leadership Development Course; and the Combat Lifesaver Course. He has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Cartography from Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA; a Master’s of Divinity Degree in Theology from Oral Roberts University, in Tulsa, OK; and a Doctorate of Theology in Biblical Studies from Andersonville Baptist Theologic Seminary in Camilla, GA.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (6th OLC); Army Commendation Medal (7th OLC); Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal (3rd Award); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Kuwait Defense Service Medal (Ku); Southwest Asia Service Medal (SA); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Ribbon; NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award); Navy Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Meritorious Unit Ribbon; the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal: the Parachutist Badge; and the Air Assault Badge.