Colonel Erica L. Johnson Ingram:

COL Ingram was born in Wilmar, Arkansas, and is a 1990 graduate of Wilmar High School. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in May 1995, where she completed the four-year Army ROTC Scholarship program. She received her degree in Business Management with a minor in Administration. COL Ingram received her commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army on August 15, 1995. While serving on Active Duty she was assigned as the Warrior Brigade Assistant Personnel Officer, 5th Personnel Services Battalion Operations/Training Officer and Headquarters Detachment Commander as well as Amarillo Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Test Control Officer and Operations Officer. After serving four and a half years on active duty, she joined the Arkansas Army National Guard November 11, 1999.

COL Ingram served as Camp Joseph T. Robinson Maneuver Training Center (RMTC) Installation Commander until October 2021. Her previous positions within the Arkansas Army National Guard include serving as the 212th Signal Battalion Training Officer, Battalion Administrative Officer, Battalion Personnel Officer, Battalion Operations Officer, 87th Troop Command Brigade Personnel Officer, Recruiting and Retention Command Officer Strength Manager and Executive Officer, DCSPER Personnel Services Branch Chief, Deputy G-1, ARNG G-1, Deputy State Surgeon – Administrative Officer, 87th Troop Command Brigade Administrative Officer, and 871st Troop Command Battalion Commander.

COL Ingram’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Arkansas Emergency Service Ribbon, and Arkansas Service Ribbon.

COL Ingram is a life member of the National Guard Association of Arkansas (NGAA) and the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and former NGAA President. In addition, she is a lifetime member of American Legion Post 74 and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). She is also a Greater Leadership of Little Rock program alumnus.

COL Ingram has had the honor and privilege to serve as first African American female Arkansas Army National Guard Battalion Commander (2014), first African American female National Guard Association of Arkansas (NGAA) president (2014-2015), the first African American female colonel (2018) in the Arkansas National Guard’s 215-year history and first female Camp Robinson Post Installation Commander (2020). She is also a 2022 Arkansas King Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

COL Ingram retired February 1, 2022. She previously served as the Chief of Staff- Assistant Director of the State of Arkansas Department of Veteran Affairs. Erica currently serves as the Integrated Primary Prevention Specialist for the Arkansas National Guard.