NY Army National Guard Lt. Col. Monique Foster, who works at National Guard headquarters in Latham takes command of Auburn-based battalion

Former Coast Guard officer and Iraq War veteran will command the 102nd Military Police Battalion

Latham, NY (06/11/2019) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Monique Foster, veteran of the Iraq War and former Coast Guard officer who works full time at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, took command of the 102nd Military Police Battalion in Auburn on Saturday, June 8.

Foster replaced Lt. Col. Matthew Schaffer, a Marlboro resident, as commander of the battalion.

Col. Michael Fowler, 153rd Troop Command Commander, served as the reviewing officer and welcomed Foster to the battalion.

Foster works full-time as the Equal Employment Manager for the New York National Guard.

"You have worked extremely hard to prepare yourself for this opportunity and there is no doubt you are ready for this challenge," Fowler said. "You are now taking the helm of one of the most active Battalions in the New York Army National Guard."

Fowler told Schaffer that through his leadership the unit "has consistently answered the call from flood or snow emergencies, to Hurricane Response in Puerto Rico, and Joint Readiness Training Center rotations."

"You leave behind a legacy and foundation that makes us all proud to have served with you," Fowler said.

Shaffer spoke with his former Soldiers of the unit and gave his appreciation for the support over the last 27 months of his command.

"Thank you for the mentorship and leadership," Shaffer said. "Be proud to be part of this element. When you got the call, you came running. Thank you."

Foster said she is looking forward to the opportunity to work with the Soldiers of the 102nd.

"When danger hits, from society or nature, and people are taking refuge-we are the ones going out, into the crisis, and meet it and beat it head on. I look forward to meeting these challenges with you in the coming years," she said.

Foster was commissioned after graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Conn., first serving as an ensign as the Ship's Navigator and Operations Officer servicing Aids to Navigation in the Great Lakes and completed a deployment to the Caribbean conducting Drug Interdiction Patrols.

After a break in service, Foster has served in the Army National Guard since 2003 serving as a Military Police Officer with the 105th Military Police Company based in Buffalo. She deployed to Iraq in 2006 as an executive officer for the 240th MP Company, Puerto Rico National Guard, conducting Police Partnerships with Iraqi Forces.

Upon return to New York in 2008 she commanded the 222nd MP Company, and subsequently served as the 27th Brigade Rear Detachment Logistics Officer, 42nd Division Protection Planner, and the 104th MP Battalion Operations and Executive Officer. She returned to the 42nd Division Headquarters as the Provost Marshal, the unit's most senior military law enforcement officer.

She currently works full-time at the New York National Guard Joint Force Headquarters as the State Equal Employment Manager.

Her awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Coast Guard Unit Commendation, Army Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon, Coast Guard Restricted Duty Service Ribbon, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge-Gold. She is also a member of the Domain of the Gold Dragon and the Knights of the Blue Nose.

Foster earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Foster, who grew up in Pennfield, N.Y., has two daughters: Mai Lynn and Mika.

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