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Lt. Col. Monique Foster, a Schenectady resident. retires after career in New York Army National Guard and Coast Guard

Fort Drum, NY (09/15/2021) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Monique Foster, a Schenectady resident, is retiring from the military after a career that began with her graduation from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1984.

Her last assignment was as the commander of the 102nd Military Police Battalion in Auburn, New York. She took command in 2019 and turned over command to Lt. Col. Frank Quintana on Sept. 11, 2021.

She was recognized during the change of command ceremony at Fort Drum, New York.

Foster, a veteran of the Iraq War, also served as the Equal Opportunity Officer for the New York Army National Guard while commanding the 102nd.

After earning her commission as an Ensign in the Coast Guard, Foster served as ship's navigator and operations officer servicing Aids to Navigation in the Great Lakes. She also completed a deployment to the Caribbean conducting Drug Interdiction Patrols.

From 1986 to 1987, Foster served as the commander of the LORAN navigation station on Attu Island in Alaska. She was the first woman to command the location which was a 12-month isolated duty tour.

She finished her Coast Guard service as a marine inspector in Seattle, Washington.

After leaving the Coast Guard, Foster worked as a deputy sheriff in Portland, Oregon.

In 2002 she moved back to Rochester, New York and joined the New York Army National Guard as a platoon leader in the 105th Military Police Company in 2003.

She deployed to Iraq in 2006, serving as the executive officer of the Puerto Rico National Guard's 240th MP Company, conducting police partnerships with Iraqi Forces.

In 2008 she took command of the 222nd Military Police Company in Rochester and served in that roll until 2012.

She has also served as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team rear detachment logistics commander, the 42nd Infantry Division force protection planner, and the 104th Military Police Battalion operations and executive officer, and the 42nd Infantry Division provost marshal.

Fosters awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, the Coast Guard Unit Commendation, Army Meritorious Unit Citation, Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon, and the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.

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