NY National Guard Capt. Jean Marie Kratzer, a Cambridge resident, receives award for excellence in military service

Kratzer receive's Army's Joint Women's Leadership in Excellence Meritorious Service Award during military women's conference in Washington

Latham, NY (08/28/2019) — New York Army National Guard Captain Jean Marie Kratzer, a Cambridge resident, has been recognized by the Department of the Army for her military accomplishments.

Kratzer received the Army's Joint Women's Leadership in Excellence Meritorious Service Award during a military women's conference held in Washington on August 22 and 23.

She was one of 17 Army Soldiers and civilian employees recognized during the Annual Joint Women's Leadership Symposium, an annual gathering of military women from all the services. More than 1,200 women attended this year's conference.

She was the only member of the Army National Guard recognized during the women's leadership symposium.

Kratzer, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division's Headquarters and Support Company, was recognized for her excellence in increasing positions of responsibility in the Army during two deployments to Kuwait and the Middle East and her service in the Army National Guard here in New York.

In her current position she is responsible for 200 men and women who support a two star general's headquarters.

Kratzer served as an Equal Opportunity Officer and Public Affairs officer during deployments of the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade in 2013 and 2014 and 369th Sustainment Brigade in 2016 and 2017.

She is preparing to deploy to Kuwait once again in 2020 as the Public Affairs Officer for the 42nd Infantry Division.

According to her citation she is "a leader and one of the strongest advocates in the New York Army National Guard for diversity " and " she is an excellent role model for junior Soldiers and leaders."

Kratzer, who enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2007 as a chaplain's assistant, became an officer in 2010 after earning a commission through the Reserve Officers Training Corps. She has served as a platoon leader, public affairs officer, personnel officer, sexual assault response coordinator, equal opportunity officer, and human resource operations branch chief.

She conducts victim's advocacy and counseling classes and equal opportunity training for New York Army National Guard units across the state.

Kratzer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Theology and Christian marriage counseling from St. John's University and a Master's degree from St. John's in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a concentration in international social work and social development.

She is a graduate of the Adjutant General Corps Basic Officer Leadership Course, the Adjutant General Corps Captains Career Course, the Mobilization Validation Course, Company Commander's Course, Master Resilience Training Course, Victim Advocate Certification Course, Public Affairs Qualification Course, Equal Opportunity Advisor program, and the Department of Defense Mediation Course.

Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device; Army Service Ribbon; and the National Defense Service Medal.

Kratzer is an avid long-distance runner and completed the Boston Marathon in 2018. She is currently a member of the National Guard's Marathon Team.

Kratzer is a civilian employee of the Army National Guard who serves as the command information officer for the New York National Guard's public affairs office in Latham.

Media Attachments