Colonel Michael R. Aberle
Colonel Michael “Mike” Aberle was born in Mayville, North Dakota and grew up in Edgeley, North Dakota. He graduated from North Dakota State University in 1984 with a Bachelor's Degree in Science Education.

Colonel Aberle enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1978 as a field wireman with the Edgeley, North Dakota based Company D, 141st Engineer Battalion. He earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant 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.

As a full time Guardsmen, Colonel Aberle currently serves as Deputy Director of the Joint Staff, responsible for the joint special staff in support of 4,400 Soldiers and Airmen of the North Dakota National Guard. His other full time assignments were as the J-1 Personnel Officer, J-8 Financial Officer, Mobilization Officer, and Military Personnel Officer, and Officer-in-Charge of the Engineer Brigade 34th Infantry Division.

Other key assignments include Commander, 142nd Engineer Battalion (Corps) (Heavy), Commander, 164th Engineer Battalion, Executive Officer, Engineer Brigade, Operations Officer for the Engineer Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, 164th Engineer Battalions and 141st Engineer Battalions; Commander of Company D, 141st Engineer Battalion and Company C, 141st Engineer Battalion and commander, 68th Troop Command. He assumed duties as North Dakota Army National Guard’s Chief of Staff for the Land Component Command in October 2011.

Colonel Aberle was deployed to Iraq from 2007-2008 as the Strategic Plans Officer, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Gulf Region Division (GRD) in Iraq from 2007-2008.

Prior to working full-time for the North Dakota National Guard, he taught high school chemistry, physics and biology and served as a high school basketball and football coach. His military education includes the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College earning a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

Colonel Aberle’s military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Achievement Medal (two awards) and the Iraq Campaign Medal. He has over 32 years of military service.

COL Aberle resides in Bismarck, North Dakota.