Springfield Soldier takes oath as Illinois National Guard Inspections Chief

Story by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

Related Media

140125-Z-IK722-004IGweb.jpg

SPRINGFIELD, IL (02/03/2015)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Maj. Jason E. Steinkamp of Springfield, Illinois, and a native of Quincy, Illinois, with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, took the oath of office as the Illinois National Guard (ILNG) Inspections Branch Chief for the Office of Inspector General Jan. 28 during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.

"I am excited to use the experience from my 22 years of military service to maintain the readiness and war fighting capability of the Illinois National Guard," said Steinkamp.

As the inspections branch chief, Steinkamp will work for the adjutant general providing an objective assessment of efficiency, discipline, readiness and resources in the ILNG.

"The inspector general is critical in ensuring the system works the way it is supposed to for the Soldiers and Airmen," said Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "I am very proud of our Inspector General personnel and the work they do to help our neighbors, protect our state and defend our nation."

Steinkamp enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1993 and commissioned in 2001 through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Western Illinois University as an ordnance officer.

Steinkamp's deployments include the initial occupation of Haiti in 1994; stateside mobilization at Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin, and Ft. Bragg North Carolina in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in 2003; Ramadi, Iraq from 2005 to 2006 as an armament detachment commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Commander of Company B, 634th Logistical Task Force in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 in support of OEF.

Steinkamp's previous assignments include platoon leader, company commander, operations and training officer (S3). Prior to his selection as the inspector general, he served as the full-time officer in charge for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion and the 129th Regiment, Regional Training Institute's (RTI) training officer.

Maj. Jason E. Steinkamp of Springfield, Illinois, and a native of Quincy, Illinois, with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, recites the oath of office from Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. Steinkamp took the oath as the Illinois National Guard Inspections Branch Chief for the Office of Inspector General Jan. 28 during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Maj. Jason E. Steinkamp of Springfield, Illinois, and a native of Quincy, Illinois, with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, shakes hands with Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, after taking the oath as the Illinois National Guard Inspections Branch Chief for the Office of Inspector General Jan. 28 during a ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)