Iraq War Veteran Takes Command of Kingston Army National Guard MP Battalion on Sunday

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Major Christopher Jensen

KINGSTON, NY (07/17/2015)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Maj. Christopher Jensen, a former infantry officer, combat veteran of the Iraq War, and a Kingston resident, takes command of the 104th Military Police Battalion here on Sunday. He takes over from Lt. Col. Craig Maceri, a West Point graduate and also a veteran of the Iraq.

Maceri has been selected to attend the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pennslyvania.

WHO: Maj. Christopher Jensen, the incoming commander, Lt. Col Craig Maceri, the outgoing commander, Col. David Martinez, the commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade and Soldiers of the 104th Military Police Battalion.

WHAT: A traditional military change of command in which Maceri will pass the battalions colors, or flag, to Jensen signifying the change in responsibility for the battalion's Soldiers and its mission. Traditionally the colors indicated the unit's location on the battlefield and the location of the commander. The military ritual was designed to allow the Soldiers to see who they would follow in to the fight.

WHEN: Noon on Sunday, July 19, 2015

WHERE: New York State Armory, 25 Kiersted Ave, Kingston, New York

Coverage Opportunities:

Reporters will be able to interview the incoming and outgoing commanders and leaders. Visual imagery opportunities include the change of command ceremony and Soldiers in formation.

Members of the press must contact Master Sgt. Barry Brill at 845-742-9031 to gain access to this secure military facility.

BACKGROUND:

104th Military Police Battalion

The 104th Military Police Battalion is a headquarters unit designed to provide command and control for two to five Military Police Companies in a combat zone. The unit served in Iraq in 2007 and 2008 where the Soldiers were responsible for overseeing detainee camp operations. The unit deployed troops to Washington D.C. in January 2009 to assist in providing security and crowd control during the presidential inauguration.

Members of the battalion also responded to the New York National Guard callup of forces to assist communities devastated by Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

The battalion traces its lineage back to the Poughkeepsie Militia of the Revolutionary War. The 104th MP Battalion was created in 2006 from the 156th Field Artillery Battalion when the New York Army National Guard reorganized.

Major Christopher Jensen:

New York Army National Guard Maj. Christopher Jensen, an Amsterdam resident, is originally from Northville, N.Y. He graduated from SUNY Empire State College with a BA in Criminal Justice. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1988 before transferring to the New York Army National Guard in 1991, graduating from the Officer Candidate School in 1998.

His military education includes the Infantry Officer' Basic Course, and Infantry Captains Career Course, CGSC resident course, Simulations Operations Course, and the Military Police Officer Transition course.

His military assignments include Rifle Platoon Leader for Company C, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, Battalion Support Platoon Leader and Personnel Officer. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 as a Company Commander for Company B, 2-108th Infantry and upon his return from deployment, served as a Company Commander for Company C, 2-108th Infantry. Later he served as the operations officer for the 2-108th Infantry. Other assignments include Assistant Plans Officer, and Assistant Mobilization Officer in the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters, and most recently, as the Executive Officer for the 104th Military Police Battalion.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), Army Reserve Component Achievements Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon and Combat Infantryman's Badge as well as numerous New York State awards.

Jensen is married to the former Patricia White, of Pensacola, Florida and they have three children– Christopher, Megan and Zachary.

Lieutenant Colonel Craig Maceri:

Lt. Col. Craig Maceri has served in the United States Regular Army and New York Army National Guard since 1996. He received his commission through the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Maceri served in Infantry units at Fort Carson, Colorado as a platoon leader and executive officer, as well as a battalion staff officer before joining the New York Army National Guard. He has served as a company commander, a battalion staff officer, a battalion executive officer, and division provost marshal in the Guard.

In 2007, he mobilized with the 104th Military Police Battalion as the Operations officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has also served as executive officer of the 104th Military Police Battalion before his command of the unit.

Maceri's military education includes airborne school, air assault school, master fitness course, infantry officer basic course, ranger school, Bradley leader's course, signal officer branch and advance course, combined arms exercise, military police branch qualification course, intermediate level education-common core course, support operations course, senior transportation officer branch qualification course.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon. He has also received the Expert Infantryman badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

In civilian life Maceri is a Director for Merck and Company currently located in Pennsylvania. He is married to Mary (Walton) Maceri, and have three daughters: Elizabeth, Emily, and Grace and live in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.