Anne Barlieb

Born in 1981 in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Anne was adopted by her parents, Mary and John Barlieb, who raised her in Tobyhanna, PA. As a child, Anne was active in sports, arts, music, and the community.  She was a member of the Coolbaugh Township Volunteer Fire Company and a parishioner at St. Ann's Catholic Church where she played the flute regularly for services and special occasions.  As a college student, Anne worked at Tobyhanna Army Depot as an office clerk for the directorates of avionics and satellite communications.     

While in college at Marywood University, Anne also participated in ROTC at the University of Scranton and completed airborne school in 2001.  In 2005, Anne received her bachelor's and master's degrees concurrently in criminal justice and public administration respectively.  Upon graduation and commissioning, Anne attended flight school where she learned to fly the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, the Army's scout/attack platform.  She deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for 18 months in 2007-2008 with the 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron (ACS).  While in Iraq, as a platoon leader and air mission commander, Anne flew close air support missions and provided convoy security in Northern Iraq, Mosul and Talafar.        

In 2009, Anne branch transferred to Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) with her then husband and fellow Army Officer. The couple had been married for 5 years but hadn't seen each other because of the war and opposite deployment cycles.  Shortly after their branch transfer and co-location at Ft. Bragg, the marriage dissolved.  Anne then deployed to Qatar in support of operation New Dawn for 8 months.  Upon her return and after a long diagnostic process, Anne was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor and underwent brain surgery in 2011.  In 2014, Anne graduated the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Ft. Leavenworth, KS.  While there, her health deteriorated again with complex symptoms.  In January 2015, Anne attempted suicide and was MEDEVACd to Walter Reed where doctors diagnosed multiple medical conditions including the recurrence of her pituitary tumor and nerve damage. 

Anne is currently going through the medical board process and is anticipating a medical retirement sometime in 2017.  In the meantime, Anne has dedicated much of her time to mentoring service members, veterans, and family members with her experience-based approach to complex medical issues, PTSD, family dynamics, suicide, and non-combat related trauma.   Upon retirement, Anne plans to focus on medical board reform, service member advocacy, writing and publishing books, inspirational speaking and listening, community building, and raising bees.  In her 13 years of service, Anne received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Parachutist Badge, Aviator Badge, and Combat Action Badge.   Anne is using her time at Dog Tag, Inc. to learn about the entrepreneurial options for her future.