NY Army National Guard Lt. Col. Jason Lefton, a Niskauna resident, graduates from Army War College on July 24

Latham, NY (07/17/2020) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Jason Lefton, a Niskayuna resident and Iraq War veteran is slated to graduate from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania on July 24.

The Army War College provides graduate-level instruction to senior military officers. About 800 students, mostly Army colonels and lieutenant colonels, attend at any one time. Half participate in a two-year non-resident distance learning program and half attend a ten-month resident program.

Lefton attended the distance learning program.

The college grants a master's degree in Strategic Studies to graduates. Attendance at the War College is considered a key factor in whether or not an officer is positioned to move into the ranks of general officers at some point.

Lefton currently serves as the New York Army National Guard State Aviation Officer. He is responsible for coordinate the activities at flight facilities located in Latham, Rochester and Ronkonkoma on Long Island.

Prior to that, Lefton commended the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Regiment. The battalion flies the UH-60 Blackhawk and has elements at Latham and Ronkonkoma.

Lefton earned his commission in June 1996 from Marion Military Institute and joined the New York Army National Guard in August 1996. He served as a Field Artillery officer from 1996 until 2000 when he became an Army Aviator.

Lefton trained as a UH-60 pilot and joined the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation. Lefton is also qualified as a UH-1 and CH-47 pilot. He has served as an Aviation detachment commander, a battalion personnel officer, intelligence officer, and Battalion executive officer.

Lefton deployed to Iraq in 2009-2010 with the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation and deployed to Kuwait in 2013-2014 with the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

In 2001 he deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of NATO Stabilization Force.

Lefton holds a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Albany and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

He is a graduate of the Aviation Maintenance Officer Course, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the Advance Operations and Warfighting Course.

Lefton's awards include: the Combat Action Badge, the Senior Army Aviator Badge, the Air Assault badge, two Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the NATO Medal.

Lefton is a full time National Guard officer. He also has civilian work experience as a fully registered representative in the financial services industry. He holds a Commercial Helicopter Pilot license and Single Engine Airplane license.

Lefton and his wife Heather two sons; Mack Levi and Seth Gage.

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