Dr. Mark Ahles is currently the acting Dean, School of Security Cooperation Studies, at the Defense
Security Cooperation University – the Defense Department’s university for education and research on
military issues relating to the management of military-to-military security cooperative efforts.
Dr. Ahles is a career employee with the Department of Defense, having held previous positions as the
Dean of Academic Affairs/Deputy Commandant and Director of International Studies at the Defense
Institute of Security Cooperation Studies, program management positions with the United States Air
Force, and serving as a computer analyst at the National Security Agency. He has been awarded by the
Department of Defense for his work on security cooperation reform, civilian deployment to combat
zones, “Year 2000” computer program management, and assistance to the US Senate on the
Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty.
Dr. Ahles holds a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science/Political Science from the Union Institute
and University, Masters Degrees from the US Army War College and The Ohio State University, as well as
a Bachelor of Art (Computer Science) and Associate of Arts (History) from The Ohio State University.
His military career spanned 30 years of active and reserve service. Colonel Ahles retired from the Army
National Guard after serving as the National Guard Bureau’s Director of Security Cooperation Programs
following previous assignments as G-2 Ohio Joint Force Headquarters, Ohio Army National Guard
Chemical Officer, Commander of the 155th Chemical Battalion, and National Guard Programs Officer at
the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, numerous
Meritorious Service Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the German Military Proficiency
Badge, and the Brazilian Army Excellence Award.
Current research interests are information technology applications in national security and Security
Cooperation Impact on U.S. foreign policy. He led two significant research projects – a long-term
evaluation of the Security Cooperation Training Program and an evaluation into the effectiveness of
multi-channel learning efforts with international military students.