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Eric Leckel currently serves as Chief of Staff for NGAUS, where he oversees internal operations and staff management at the headquarters. A retired Army National Guard colonel, his final military assignment was Chief of Staff for the Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
With 37 years of uniformed service, Leckel has been deeply involved with both the Wisconsin National Guard Association (WINGA) and NGAUS. He was elected to the WINGA Board of Directors in 2000 and progressively assumed greater responsibilities, culminating in his tenure as president from 2016 to 2022. Additionally, he served as the Army Company Grade representative and twice as the Area V–Army representative on the NGAUS Board of Directors.
Leckel commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Officer Candidate School in 1996 after nine years as an enlisted combat engineer. Over 26 years of commissioned service, he held numerous leadership roles, including Commander of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; Director of Construction & Facilities Management Office; Director for Domestic Operations, Plans and Training (J-3/5/7) for the Wisconsin National Guard Joint Staff; Commander of the 54th Civil Support Team; Deputy Director WING J-3/5/7; State Partnership Program Director; Reserve Component Liaison Officer to 7th Army Training Command in Germany; and various positions within the 724th Engineer Battalion.
His operational experience includes two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, deployment to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, over 40 partnership engagements with Nicaragua, and 176 domestic support missions with the 54th CST. He also directed Wisconsin National Guard domestic operations during an unprecedented period marked by a National Special Security Event, extensive COVID-19 response efforts, and civil disturbance missions.
Leckel’s awards and decorations include the NGAUS Distinguished Service Medal, WINGA President’s Award, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster. He holds master’s degrees in Management from the College of St. Scholastica and in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
