ACCRA, GHANA - Michael Holly was promoted to lieutenant colonel Oct. 21 while on duty in Ghana, Africa, where he is part of the North Dakota Army National Guard's State Partnership Program.
Holly, of Mandan, serves as the bilateral affairs officer for the State Partnership Program. He works at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana. He has been stationed in Ghana with his family for the past two years.
Brig. Gen. Pat Martin, deputy adjutant general for the N.D. National Guard, presided over the ceremony via video tele-conference by administering the military oath of office to Holly immediately after the promotion.
The oath of office is traditionally administrated to all commissioned officers in the N.D. National Guard each time they are promoted. The oath re-affirms the officer's commitment to the United States Constitution and the state of North Dakota.
"Mike Holly has worked hard to earn this promotion," said Martin. "His outstanding leadership and technical expertise has served the National Guard well during his time in Ghana."
A soldier since 1981, Holly's assignments have included being a company commander, intelligence officer, plans and operations officer, logistics and operations officer, assistant division engineer and state training officer. His career includes positions with the 164th Engineer Battalion in Minot. He earned a bachelor's degree from Regents College, N.Y., in 1998.
Holly replaced Maj. Brent Naslund, who served as North Dakota's first bilateral affairs officer in Ghana. Holly's wife, Michelle, and their two children, Samantha, 16, and Rebecca, 12, have lived in Ghana throughout his tour.