Brandon Gendron, a Simsbury resident, is promoted to Lt. Colonel in the New York Army National Guard

Latham, NY (02/01/2020) — Brandon Gendron, a Simsbury resident, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on Friday, Jan. 31.

Gendron is a full-time National Guard officer who was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2004.

He has held a variety of positions during his career to include:

• Executive officer of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry in New York City;
• Executive officer of the 106th Regional Training Institute at Camp Smith Training Site;
• Operations officer of the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery in New York City;
• Plans officer for the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade in Latham, N.Y.;
• Commander of Headquarters Company of the 204th Engineer Battalion in Binghamton, N.Y. ;

A a platoon leader in the 204th Engineer Battalion.

Gendron currently serves as the training officer for the New York Army National Guard's operations and training section and has been selected to command the 204th Engineer Battalion.

Gendron was promoted by Major General Ray Shields the Adjutant General of New York.

In his remarks, Shields praised Gendron for being willing to take on new and tougher assignments as a full-time New York Army National Guard officer.

"You've always gone where we've asked you to go, even if it meant time away from your family," Shields told Gendron.

Shield's made it a point to thank Gendron's family for sharing him with the National Guard.

In his remarks, Gendron thanked his wife for her support, and credited many of the officers and non-commissioned officers who attended his promotion for making him a better leader.

Gendron is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic Course, the Field Artillery career course and the Army's Command and General Staff College.

He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in business and he also holds a master of business administration from Nichols College.

He is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Among his awards are the Meritorious Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

He has also earned the German Armed Forces Efficiency Test Medal, and holds the Order of Saint Barbara, an award for excellence as a Field Artillery leader; and the Order of Saint Maurice, which recognizes excellence while serving as an Infantry leader.

Gendron and his wife Suzanne have two children; Kyleigh, age 8; and Jack, age 3,

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