Auburn-based National Guard company gets new commander Saturday, Oct. 13

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1st Lt. Derrick Rocker

AUBURN, NY (10/12/2018) (readMedia)-- 1st Lt. Derrick Rocker, an Auburn resident, will take command of the Headquarters & Headquarters Company of the Auburn-based 102nd Military Police Battalion during a Saturday, Oct. 13 ceremony. He will replace Capt. Katie Chen.

Members of the press are invited to attend the event.

WHO: 1st Lt. Derrick Rocker, the incoming commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 102nd Military Police Battalion; Capt. Katie Chen, the outgoing commander of the company; and the Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 102nd Military Police Battalion.

WHAT: A traditional change-of-command ceremony in which Rocker will take command of the company from Chen. The company's guidon-a small flag-will be transferred from Chen to Rocker during the ceremony to symbolize the change of command. Traditionally the ceremony indicated to the Soldiers in a unit who they should follow on the battlefield.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018

WHERE: Lakeview Golf & Country Club, 6642 East Lake Road, Auburn NY

Media Opportunities:

Video and still imagery of Soldiers in formation, the traditional guidon transfer ceremony and interviews with the incoming and outgoing commanders.

Contact 2nd LT Richard Buck at 315-278-2168 for more information.

BACKGROUND:

1st Lt. Derrick Rocker

1st Lt. Derrick Rocker received his commission on May 15, 2011 through the ROTC program at Syracuse University. Rocker was assigned as a Military Police Platoon Leader with the 222nd Military Police Company in Rochester, NY.

In 2012, Rocker transferred to the 105th Military Police Company in Buffalo, NY to serve as a Platoon Leader, and was selected as the Executive Officer for the 105th Military Police Company in 2015.

Rocker deployed to Kuwait with the 369th Sustainment Brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2016 – 2017. While deployed, Rocker served as an Operations Officer, performing as the Brigade Protection Officer and Brigade Orders Manager.

After his deployment, Rocker was reassigned as the Assistant Operations Officer with HHC 102nd Military Police Battalion in Auburn, NY. In July 2018, 1LT Rocker was selected to serve as the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Operations Officer for the 102nd Military Police Battalion.

Rocker's military schools include the Military Police Captain's Career Course), Physical Security Course, the Master Resiliency Trainer Course , Military Police Basic Officer Leader Course and the Leadership Development Assessment Course.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

He and his wife Felicia have one son, Oliver.

Capt. Katie Chen

Captain Katie Chen received her commission on May 15, 2011 through the ROTC program at Siena College. Chen was assigned as a Military Police Platoon Leader with the 206th Military Police Company in Latham, NY.

While serving as a Platoon Leader, Captain Chen simultaneously held an Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS) position as the state Casualty Affairs Officer with Military Personnel in Watervliet, New York.

Chen deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. While deployed she performed detention operations as a Battle Captain for the 102nd Military Police I/R Battalion FWD and was promoted to Captain.

Chen returned from a successful tour and was reassigned as a Battle Captain in the Joint Force Headquarters Joint Operations Center. During the summer of 2016, Captain Chen was assigned as the Joint Visitors Bureau (JVB) Battle Captain and supported the 27th IBCT during rotation 16-08 at the Joint Readiness Training Center.

In October of 2016, Chen was selected as the Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 102nd Military Police Battalion. During her time as commander, the unit took part in a successful Joint Training Exercise with their active duty counterparts at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Chen's military schools include the Military Police Captain's Career Course Phases I-IV, Military Police Basic Officer Leader Course, and the Leadership Development Assessment Course.

Her awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the German Armed Forces Badge (Gold).

She lives in Schenectady.