US Army Ret. Lt.Col and Deputy Sheriff Eric Batchelor joins Crystal Salinas MacKinnon to discuss his platform
I want to be a voice for the people of the 11th district, including our veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS. I will work within our government to secure our nation and shrink our deficit. Those of you who value our first responders, believe in a strong national defense, and do not want our children to grow up shouldering our debts, send me to represent you in Washington D.C.
A Life in Service…
I grew up in a small farm town – Barnesville, Georgia – south of Atlanta. I have three older siblings who were out of the house by the time I was born, so I was essentially raised as an only child. We didn’t have much money but my parents were determined I would go to college. I attended Griffin High School, where I wrestled, was in Army JROTC, and made decent grades. I graduated in 1991, earning an Army ROTC Scholarship that I used to attend North Georgia College (now University of North Georgia) in Dahlonega, Georgia.
At North Georgia, I majored in Criminal Justice and was active in Army ROTC. I spent two of my college summers as a camp counselor, where I met and befriended my future wife, Kirstin. I spent another summer participating in ROTC advanced camp at Ft Bragg and then CTLT (Cadet Troop Leadership Training) in Germany. I graduated from NGC in 1995, with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.
After graduation, I immediately went to Ft Benning, Georgia where I completed the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course (IOBC), Ranger School, and the Infantry Mortar Leader’s Course (IMLC).