NY National Guard Captain Jean Marie Kratzer, a Cambridge resident, selected for National Guard Marathon Team

Latham, NY (05/14/2019) — New York Army National Guard Capt. Jean Marie Kratzer, a Cambridge resident, has been selected to become a member of the 2019 "All Guard" Marathon Team

Almost 200 Army and Air National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 45 states and two territories competed in the 42nd Annual Lincoln National Guard Marathon in early May.

The top runners were selected to become members of the 2019 "All Guard" Marathon Team that travels to promote the National Guard and assist in recruiting and retention efforts across the United States.

The New York Army National Guard sent four Soldiers to compete for the fastest 45 male slots and fastest 15 female slots. All four New Yorker's- Kratzer, Major Nick Whaley, Major Matthew Kane and Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Grove- made the All Guard Team.

Whaley is Clifton Park resident, Kane is from Schenectady and Grove lives in Rochester.

The marathon program encourages and enhances the National Guard retention program by instilling physical fitness, self-discipline and esprit de corps among National Guard members from every state across the country.

Kratzer, who enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2007, has deployed to Kuwait twice: one in 2013-2014 with the 42nd Combat Aviation brigade and again in 2016-2017 with the 369th Sustainment Brigade.

During her 2016-2017 deployment she was responsible for all military postal operations in Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria.

Kratzer was commissioned in the Adjutant General's Corps in 2010 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at St. John's University. While attending college she served as a chaplain's assistant as an enlisted Soldier in the Army Reserve.

Her assignments have included a platoon leader in the 427th Brigade Support Battalion; public affairs officer, and strength manager for the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade; and sexual assault response coordinator and equal opportunity advisor for the 369th Sustainment Brigade, and is currently the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters Support Company commander for over 200 Soldiers in Troy, N.Y.

Kratzer is also certified as a sexual harassment assault response program coordinator and victim advocate and as an equal opportunity advisor.

Kratzer is a graduate of the Army's Adjutant General Basic Officers Leadership Course and Captain Career Course, as well as the Army's Public Affairs Qualification Course, Equal Opportunity Advisor Program, Department of Defense Mediation Course and Victim Advocate Certification Course.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from St. John's University and a Master's Degree from St. John's University in Criminology and a second Master's Degree in Social Work.

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; National Defense Service Medal; and the New York State Physical Fitness Ribbon.

Kratzer is employed as a Department of Defense civilian in the New York National Guard's public affairs office.

The All Guard Marathon Team is expected to compete in five to eight marathons across the United States during the upcoming running season. The selectees will alternate events that they attend.

To qualify for the Lincoln Marathon, male Soldiers under the age of 40 must have run a recognized marathon, taking place in the 18 months prior to the Lincoln Marathon, in under four hours. For women and Masters, the time requirement is 4 hours 30 minutes.

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