KINGSTON, NY (11/12/2009)(readMedia)-- Major David Gagnon, an Iraq War veteran who in civilian life is a partner in the Kingston accounting firm of Daniel D. Gagnon CPA, PC, will take command of the New York Army National Guard's 104th Military Police Battalion on Sunday, November 15.

WHO: Major David A. Gagnon, the incoming commander, and Lt. Col. Ronnie L. Ridner, the outgoing commander, and the Soldiers of the 104th Military Police Battalion.

WHAT: Traditional change-of-command ceremony in which Lt. Col Ridner will transfer the battalion flag, commonly called the colors, to Major Gagnon to mark the transition from one commander to another.

WHEN: 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009.

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

Coverage Opportunities:

Interviews with Major David Gagnon and Lt. Col. Ronnie Ridner about the missions of the 104th Military Police Battalion. Visual opportunities will include the passing of the battalion colors and imagery of the troops in massed formation.

For access to this secure military facility contact Master Sgt. Jason Huppert at 845-399-4138.

BACKGROUND:

The Change of Command Ceremony:

The Change of Command Ceremony dates back to the days in which a military unit's flag marked its position in the line of battle. The colors were always near the commander, so troops knew where to rally on the battlefield. Today the transfer of the colors marks a change in the unit and givens the soldiers their first opportunity to see and hear their new leader.

The change of command ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of the outgoing commander and the Soldiers who served under him. In addition, the ceremony identifies the new commander to the Soldiers, so they can follow him on the field of battle.

Major David Gagnon:

Major David Gagnon has served in the New York Army National Guard since 1986; the bulk of that time in the 104th Military Police Battalion and its predecessor unit, the 1st Battalion 156th Field Artillery. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1986 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. thought ROTC in 1989. He has served as an Artillery Battery commander, fire direction officer, and as the Aide De Camp to the Commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade. He also served as the battalion intelligence and operations officer for the 156th Field Artillery.

When the 156th Field Artillery was reorganized he became a Military Police officer and served as the operations officer and executive officer for the battalion. When the battalion deployed to Iraq in 2007/2008 he served as the executive officer and has served in that position since.

Gagnon is a Certified Public Accountant and a partner in the firm of Daniel D. Gagnon CPA, PC and lives in Stone Ridge with his wife Nora and daughter Andrea.

He is a graduate of Siena College in Loudonville, New York and has been a New York State CPA since 1991. He is also a graduate of the Army's Combined Arms Services Staff School and Intermediate Learning Education program.

His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Assault Badge, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War On Terrorism Medal , the National Defense Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Lt. Col. Ronnie Ridner:

Lt. Col. Ronnie Ridner has served in the United States Army Reserve and New York Army National Guard since 1976. After serving as an enlisted Soldier he obtained a commission through the National Guard's Officer Candidate School in 1983. He spent his career as an Artillery officer in 1st Battalion 156th Field Artillery holding positions as fire direction officer, battery commander, operations officer and executive officer.

When the 156th Field Artillery transitioned into an Military Police Battalion he changed branches and was named commander in 2007 prior to the battalion's deployment to Iraq.

His military education includes Command and General Staff College, Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course and Military Police Officer Advanced Course.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He resides in Catskill.

Lt. Col. Ridner has been a full-time National Guard officer since 1997 and has been assigned as the deputy joint operations officer for domestic operations at Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham.

104th MP Battalion:

The 104th Military Police Battalion, based in Kingston New York, is a command and control unit which can assume command of from two to five Military Police Battalions. The battalion's units in New York Army National Guard include the 442nd Military Police Company in Queens, the 727th Military Police Detachment in Poughkeepsie, the 222nd Chemical Company in Brooklyn, and the 466th Area Medical Support Company in Queensbury.

The battalion headquarters was formed out of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion 156th Field Artillery when the New York National Guard reorganized in 2005. The battalion headquarters was responsible for base security at Camp Bucca, a large POW camp in Southern Iraq during its deployment in 2007-2008. In January of this year the battalion led a New York National Guard task force to Washington to help provide security and crowd control for the Presidential Inauguration.

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Posted Thursday November 12, 2009 at 10:40 am by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Thursday August 26, 2010 at 09:30 am