Colonel Ernest L. Isbell was born in Paducah, Texas on 20 July 1941. He graduated from Crawford High School in San Diego, California in 1959 and enlisted in the Army in October 1959.  He completed basic training at Fort Ord, California and then attended Infantry Officer Candidate School from July to December 1960. He was commissioned in the Infantry and served his initial assignment as a platoon leader in the 2d Battle Group, 9th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. | His assignments during his military career have included three tours in Vietnam, all as an aviator.  For the last tour, in 1972, he commanded B Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion and served as S-3 of the battalion. From 1980-1984 Colonel Isbell served as the Chief of the Officer Procurement and Accessions Branch at the U.S. Army Military Personnel Center and then as the commander of Community Family and Soldier Support Command, Korea from 1984 to 1986. Prior to assuming his last assignment as Inspector General of the Kansas Army National Guard, he served as the Director of the Construction and Contracting Directorate for the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center in Alexandria, Virginia. | Colonel Isbell is a graduate of Park College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business Administration. He has a Master of Science degree in Personnel Counseling and Guidance from Troy State University. | Colonel Isbell's military education includes the Army War College, the Armed Forces Staff College, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, and the Rotary Wing Aviators Course. | His decorations include three awards of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, twenty-two awards of the Air Medal, three awards of the Army Commendation Medal, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and Master Army Aviator Wings, as well as numerous decorations for service.