By In the quiet hours of the morning, as the sun begins to break over the horizon, Tanner Ahmann is already on the move.
From a strenuous 5 a.m. ROTC workout to the final minutes of a 10 p.m. job, Tanner’s daily routine is a balancing act of school, ROTC, and work.
Born in Helena and raised in Portland, Oregon, Ahmann has always been the outdoor boy.
“As a kid I was very active in sports,” said Ahmann. “My friends and I spent a lot of time outdoors.”
“Tanner is an outdoorsy person and likes to get out whenever he can,” says Cole Greany, Tanner’s friend from Denver, Colorado. “One way he does this is by going on hikes with his dog, Gal.”
Ahmann’s outdoorsy personality led him to the ROTC.
“Growing up, I never imagined myself in the military,” Ahmann said. “But life has a way of surprising you, and I found my path in ROTC.”
Ahmann admitted that his greatest challenge has been managing his busy life. Ahmann is majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in leadership studies.
“It took a long time, but I eventually found a balance through time management and learning to use a schedule,” he says.
The principle of “backwards planning,” a military strategy, has guided him through the complexities of his responsibilities, instilling the discipline required to balance his insanely busy life.
There is no empty time on his calendar, but somehow, he finds time to volunteer, and help others. He actively seeks opportunities to contribute to campus life. He regularly volunteers for unglamorous jobs during Carroll College football games – from helping with parking arrangements at the start to cleaning the stadium afterwards.
“I do a lot of volunteering for Carroll athletics,” said Ahmann. “I work both football and basketball games throughout the year. And I do a lot of the color guard.”
This outreach does not go unnoticed.
“Carroll College deserves a statue of Tanner for his outreach within the community,” said Greany.
As graduation approaches, Tanner Ahmann is grateful for the winding path that led him to the halls of Carroll College.
With gratitude, Tanner stands ready for the future.
“As I march forward into the future, the lessons of ROTC and the spirit of Carroll College will stick with me the most,” said Ahmann. “I’m grateful for the opportunities provided to me by Carroll College and excited for what lies ahead.”
After graduation, Ahmann has several big decisions to make.
“Tanner first wanted to be a helicopter pilot, but eventually decided to take a different route that would be quicker to attain,” said Lance Greany, a Denver friend. “Tanner always takes bad news or challenges with his chin up, ready to tackle his next problem.”
When Ahmann discusses his future, he acknowledges that he has not figured it all out yet. But he knows one thing: He wants to live a life that “has a purpose.”
“ROTC and my experience in the army have convinced me, for better or worse, that I can’t have a ‘normal person’ job,” said Ahmann. “I need something with a purpose, and I need to know that I am doing a job that really matters.” 
