Kingston-based National Guard battalion gets new commander at Camp Smith on Saturday, May 5

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Lt. Col. Marshall Hunt

CAMP SMITH, CORTLANDT MANOR, NY (05/04/2018) (readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Marshall Hunt, a former infantryman, Iraq war veteran, and Manlius resident, takes command of the 104th Military Police Battalion here Sunday. He takes over from Lt. Col. Christopher Jensen, who is a Northville resident and Iraq war veteran as well.

Members of the media are invited to visit Camp Smith on Saturday, May 5, at 11 a.m. to cover the Change of Command ceremony.

WHO: Lt. Col. Marshall Hunt, the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Christopher Jensen, the outgoing commander, and Soldiers of the 104th Military Police Battalion.

WHAT: A traditional military change of command in which Jensen will pass the battalions colors, or flag, to Hunt 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: Media opportunity on Saturday, May 5, at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Camp Smith Training Site on Routes 6 and 20 in Cortlandt Manor, just north of Peekskill.

For access to this secure military facility, members of the media must contact Capt. Richard Goldenberg at 518-786-4581.

Visual and 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.

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 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 call-up 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.

Lt. Col. Marshall Hunt:

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Marshall Hunt, a Manlius resident, and graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, with a bachelor of arts degree in history. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman and deployed twice, once to Kuwait and then to Iraq, before transferring to the New York Army National Guard.

His military education includes the Command and General Staff College Intermediate Level Education and Advanced Operations Course, Military Police Special Reaction Team Course and Airborne School.

His military assignments include rifleman and infantry fire team leader in 1/5 Cavalry (Mechanized Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, and soon deployed to Kuwait. After completing the Military Police Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, he was assigned to the 91st Military Police Battalion, Ft. Drum as a platoon leader in the 511th Military Police Company. He deployed with his Platoon to Tal Afar, Iraq, where he served in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division Military Police Platoon.

Upon his return from Iraq, he was assigned as the 91st Military Police battalion logistician before attending the Military Police Officer Captains Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood. He was then assigned to the 94th Military Police Battalion at USAG Yongsan, South Korea, where he served as the battalion supply officer before assuming command of the 55th Military Police Company at Camp Casey.

Hunt then transitioned from Active Duty to the NYARNG. He was initially assigned as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provost marshal before being assigned as the 27th Brigade Special Troops battalion S3 in Buffalo. He deployed with the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion to Camp Patriot, Kuwait, where the battalion served as the Kuwait Security Force Battalion. Upon his return from Kuwait, he was assigned as the executive officer for the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. He was then assigned as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team plans officer before serving as the brigade logistician. He is a member of the Active Guard/Reserve program and is currently assigned as the state training officer in Latham.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (4), Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

Hunt is married to Dr. Cassie M. Hunt, Pharm D. They reside in Manlius, NY, with their Children Reagan (age 7) and Griffin (age 3).

Lt. Col. Christopher Jensen:

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Christopher Jensen, an Amsterdam resident, is originally from Northville, New York. 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, executive officer for the 104th Military Police Battalion, and most recently, as the commander for the 104th Military Police Battalion.

His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with an 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.