NY National Guard Major Matthew Kane, a Schenectady resident, selected for National Guard Marathon Team

Latham, NY (05/14/2019) — New York Army National Guard Major Matthew Kane, a Schenectady 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- Kane, Captain Jean Marie Kratzer, Major Nick Whaley, Major Matthew Kane and Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Grove- made the All Guard Team.

Kratzer is a resident from Cambridge, Whaley from Clifton Park 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.

Kane, who commissioned in the Reserves Officer Training Corps, deployed to Iraq in 2006-2007 and a second time to Kuwait in 2012.

His assignments have included; strength manager and assistant personal officer with the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, personal officer for the 2-108th Infantry Battalion, Human Resource Officer for the 42nd Infantry Division and the Human Resource Operations Branch under the 369th Sustainment Brigade.

Kane is a graduate of the Army's Adjutant General Basic Officers Leadership Course and Captain Career Course, Company level pre-command course, contracting officer's representative training and an overview of acquisition ethics.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from LeMoyne College and a Master's Degree from the University of Albany in Business Administration and is a Certified Defense Financial Manager.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct 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, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Award

Kane is employed as an Industrial Property Management Specialist for the Department of the Navy in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

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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