Dragons Who Serve: Aaron Krenz

When Aaron Krenz first stepped onto the Minnesota State Moorhead football field in the 1990s, he couldn't have known that the lessons he learned as a Dragon would guide him through more than three decades of military service and ultimately lead him back home to Dragon Territory.

When it was Moorhead State University, Aaron arrived on campus after being recruited by coach Ross Fortier, all-time leader in wins, as part of his final recruiting class. The practices were grueling, but the bond he formed with his teammates and coaches made every minute worth it.

Members of the 1995-1996 Dragon Football Team

"You didn't want to let your buddies down," Aaron says. "We were all just trying to do our best. I wasn't the most talented athlete, but I was determined to give everything I had."

This attitude of sacrifice was evident in Aaron before college and beyond athletics. He enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard at 17, following in his father's footsteps.

"My dad was in the military, and he always emphasized service to our country," he says. "I joined with a high school teammate, and we went through basic training together. It was tough, but it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."

Aaron balanced both athletics and military service throughout his college career. After redshirting his second year, he developed into a key defensive player on the team. His hard work paid off when the Dragons, under head coach Ralph Micheli captured the conference championship against Winona State, one of his proudest memories.

He graduated with a degree in criminal justice, inspired by a teammate who introduced him to the program. "I thought I might go into corrections or work with juveniles," he says. "That interest in service and helping others never really left me."

Aaron ended up pursuing a 33-year military career that took him around the world from training exercises to leading soldiers during two combat tours in Iraq and one in Kuwait.

"Never in a million years did I think I'd have the opportunity to be a company commander and lead soldiers in combat," he says. "It was an incredible honor."

Even overseas, his Minnesota State Moorhead family found a way to reach him. During a difficult period in Baghdad, three of his former football teammates arranged a surprise video teleconference, a rare feat in 2004.

"I was feeling pretty low after some of my soldiers were injured," he recalls. "Then I got a message saying there was a call I needed to join. I walked in, and there they were. My three Dragon teammates on the screen. It lifted my spirits completely. I'll never forget that moment."

Back row, from left: #42 Sean McClinton, #80 Jeremy Newton. Front row, from left: #56 Aaron Krenz, #44 Kevin "KC" Johnson.

That unexpected video call reminded him of the lifelong community being a Dragon builds.

Now, three decades of service later, Aaron has come full circle. Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Minnesota Army National Guard, he's back at his alma mater, serving as the Yellow Ribbon Advance director, providing military-connected students with experiential learning opportunities and building partnerships with employers.

"It's incredibly special to be back here," he says. "When I was a student, I was just trying to find my way. Now I get to help others find their way to help them grow, connect, and prepare for their careers."

He set a goal this year to connect at least 35 military-connected students with internships, practicums, and other hands-on experiences through the Service to Success Internships, and he's already well on his way.

"Seeing a student balance their classes, gain experience, and then land a job offer, that's the best feeling in the world," he says. His message to current students is simple: keep grinding, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

"Hopefully our students will look back one day and say, 'My Dragon experience helped launch my career and shape who I became.' That's what being a Dragon is all about."