NY Army National Guard Captain Kirstine Purcell, a Binghamton resident , takes command of engineer company

Latham, NY (11/19/2020) — New York Army National Guard Captain Kirstine Purcell, a Binghamton resident, took command of the 1156th Engineer Company on Sunday, Nov. 15 during a ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Purcell replaced Captain William Hayes of Seaford, New York.

The 1156th, based at Camp Smith, is part of the New York Army National Guard's 204th Engineer Battalion, which has elements in Horseheads, Binghamton and Walton as well.

The engineers in the company specialize in vertical engineering; the construction of buildings and other basic facilities.

The company last deployed to Kuwait in 2016 to support U.S. Army Central Command operations.

Purcell, is a graduate of Ithaca College, with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. She joined the New York Army National Guard in 2013 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, George.

Purcell has served as an engineer platoon leader, maintenance platoon leader and executive officer of the 827th Engineer Company.

She is currently serving as a full-time Guard officer as the logistics officer for the 204th Engineer Battalion at its headquarters in Binghamton. The battalion has 600 Soldiers drilling at its four locations.

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