Jean Marie Kratzer, a Cambridge resident, is promoted to Lt. Colonel in New York Army National Guard

Troy, New York (07/22/2024) — Lt. Col. Jean Marie Kratzer, a Cambridge resident, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony at 42nd Infantry Division headquarters in Troy, N.Y. on Sunday, July 14, 2024.

Kratzer is currently assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division as the public affairs officer. She previously served as the operations officer for the division's headquarters battalion.

She works full-time as a federal technician as the New York National Guard Public Affairs Officer.

Kratzer enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2007 as a chaplain's aide and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Army ROTC at St. John's University in 2010.

She has deployed to the Middle East three times during her career. In 2013 she deployed as the public affairs officer for the 42nd Combat Aviation brigade, in 2016 she deployed as the equal opportunity officer and human resources branch chief for the 369th Sustainment Brigade, and in 2020 she deployed as the 42nd Infantry Division public affairs officer.

She has served as a platoon leader, company commander, and as a human resources and equal opportunity officer. She also served as the civilian sexual assault response coordinator for the New York National Guard.

Kratzer is a graduate of the Adjutant General Corps Basic Officer Leadership Course, the Adjutant General Corps Captains Career Course, the Company Commander Course, the Public Affairs Qualification Course, Equal Opportunity Advisor program, the Department of Defense Mediation Course, and Command and General Staff College.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Theology and Christian marriage counseling, and a master's degree from St. John's University in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, New York State Physical Fitness Ribbon, the Human Service to New York State Medal and the Army's Joint Women's Leadership in Excellence Meritorious Service Award.

In her spare time, she is an active distance runner and competed on the National Guard Marathon team.

Kratzer lives with her husband Brian and son Callum. Her mother Maureen Kratzer is a Greenwich resident.

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