Colonel John Erikson, ROTC Wall of Fame

Colonel John Erickson graduated from WMU in 1971 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in aviation engineering technology with a minor in business administration. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in April 1971 after graduating from the ROTC program and on Dec. 15, 1992, he was promoted to Colonel. He went on receive a master’s degree in business administration from Columbus State University and graduated from the U.S. Army War College in 1997. 

While serving on active duty, Colonel Erickson became the Company Commander of a unit responsible for retiring and discharging thousands of soldiers returning from the war in Vietnam. After extending his tour, he became Chief of the Personnel Actions Branch.

In the Army Reserves, he served in various command and senior staff positions with the 416th Engineer Command and the 86th ARCOM. One of his command assignments included being the designated Battalion Commander for three major Personnel Service Companies and a Postal Unit. This command updated over 2,050 personnel records for 12 major reserve units, conducted Preparation for Overseas Movement for 15 units activated during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and provided training to all unit members. At the same time, he was the Director of Personnel responsible for managing the administrative actions for 15 subordinate units. He also had a 30-year civilian career in Information Technology.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service medal, the Army Commendation medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement medal, the National Defense Service medal, the Armed Forces Reserve medal, the Army Service ribbon and the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training ribbon.

After serving three and a half years on active duty and 25 years in the Army Reserves, Colonel Erickson retired from the Army Reserves in 2000.