Lt. Col.Christopher Thielenhaus was born in Kansas City, MO. He graduated High School in Casa Grande, AZ and attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 2005 as an Infantry Officer.
In 2005, Thielenhaus attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, and Airborne School at what was then Fort Benning, GA. His first assignment was as an Infantry Platoon leader and Company XO in 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. In 2009, Thielenhaus was selected for Special Forces Training, and completed the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course in 2010. Thielenhaus was then assigned to Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 1312 as the Detachment Commander in 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). In 2013, Thielenhaus was assigned to Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan as the J33, and in 2014, Thielenhaus assumed command of the Headquarters Company for 1st Special Forces Group. In 2015, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School, receiving a Masters of Science in Defense Analysis. After graduating in 2017, Thielenhaus assumed command of C Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group. While supporting Operation FREEDOM SENTINEL in Afghanistan, Thielenhaus relinquished command of C Company and assumed the role of Battalion Executive Officer. In 2019, Thielenhaus reported to 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, where he served as a Battalion Operations Officer, the Brigade Operations Officer, and as the Commander of C Troop, 3rd Squadron. Most recently, Thielenhaus moved to Fort Knox to become the Human Resource Manager for Army Special Operations Colonels.
Thielenhaus’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star w/ 1OLC, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/4OLC, Army Commendation Medal w/ 2OLC, Army Achievement Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 2OLC, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 1OLC, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist’s Badge. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Russian Language from the United States Military Academy and a Masters of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School.
He has deployed a total of 14 times worldwide to locations including Iraq, Afghanistan, the Republic of Korea, India, Nepal, Mongolia, Australia, Tunisia, Morocco, Guyana, and Panama.