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CONTACT: Eric Durr, 518-786-4581, eric.d.durr.nfg@mail.mil
FOR RELEASE: Sunday, May 06, 2018

Afghanistan Veteran to Command Troy-based 42nd Headquarters Battalion

LATHAM, NY (05/04/2018) (readMedia)-- Maj. Gurpreet Singh, a combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan will take command of the 42nd Infantry Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion from Lt. Col. Mark Frank on Sunday, May 6th.

The battalion has elements in Troy, Scotia-Glenville, Buffalo, Staten Island and Camp Smith. It includes a headquarters company, an intelligence and sustainment company, operations company, signal company, 42nd Infantry Division Band and the Main Command Post Operational Detachment (MCPOD).

WHO: Maj. Gurpreet Singh, the incoming commander; Lt. Col. Mark Frank, the outgoing commander, and the men and women of the 42nd Infantry Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.

WHAT: Traditional change-of-command ceremony in which Lt. Col. Frank will hand the battalion flag, commonly called the colors, to Maj. Gurpreet Singh to mark the transition from one commander to another.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Sunday, May 6, 2018

WHERE: Camp Smith Training Site, at 100 Camp Smith Drive, Cortlandt, Manor, N.Y. 10567.

Coverage Opportunities:

Interviews with Maj. Singh, and Lt. Col. Frank about the missions of the battalion and its role in supporting troops in combat. Visual opportunities will include the passing of the battalion colors and imagery of the troops in massed formation.

For access to this military facility, reporters must contact Capt. Jean Marie Kratzer, 518-496-7150.

BACKGROUND:

The Change of Command:

The Change of Command Ceremony dates back to the days in which a military unit's flag marked its position in the line of battle. The colors were always near the commander, so troops knew where to rally on the battlefield. Today the transfer of the colors marks a change in the unit and givens the soldiers their first opportunity to see and hear their new leader.

The change of command ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of the outgoing commander and the Soldiers who served under him. In addition, the ceremony identifies the new commander to the Soldiers, so they can follow him on the field of battle.

Maj. Gurpreet Singh:

New York Army National Guard Maj. Gurpreet Singh, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Chemical Corps, upon graduation from St. Johns University ROTC in May of 2003. He is a graduate of the Chemical Officer Basic Course, Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense (CBRN) Captain Career Course, and Advanced Operation Course.

His duty assignments include: Chemical Officer for the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry and the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, Force Protection/Anti-Terrorism Officer, Plans, Physical Security Officer, CBRN Chief, Deputy Chief of Protection, Domestic All Hazard Response Team Coordination Cell , Homeland Response Force - FEMA Region II; Operations and Plans Officer, Executive Officer and Deputy Commander, 42d Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion and 42nd Infantry Division Operations Company Commander.

From 2007-2008, Singh served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Task Force Phoenix Force Protection/ Anti-Terrorism Operations and Plans Officer.

Singh has received the following awards: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Singh is a Detective with the New York City Police Department, assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in New York.

Singh resides in Goshen, New York with his Wife Donna Tularam and their two children Zara and Zoie.

Lt. Col. Mark Frank:

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Mark P. Frank, the son of Douglas and Elizabeth Frank, was born in Olean, N.Y. and was raised in Cuba, N.Y. Frank began his military career in 2000, when he graduated from St. Bonaventure University as a Distinguished Military Graduate and received a Reserve Army commission as a Second Lieutenant Aviation Officer.

He served on active duty for seven years with assignments to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and First Army Division East. He has served two combat tours; one to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and one to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After completing his Active Duty service commitment in May 2007, Frank departed the Active Component for the New York Army National Guard.

His comprehensive duty assignments include service as a Company Executive Officer, Platoon Leader, Battalion Personnel Officer, Company Commander, Senior Human Resources Officer, Assistant Personnel Officer, and Executive Officer. His last assignment was at the Joint Force Headquarters New York, where he is the Executive Officer for the Office of The Adjutant General.

Frank's military education includes training at the Aviation Officer Basic Course, the CH-47D Aviator Qualification Course, the Engineer Captains Career Course, the Defense Critical Infrastructure Protection Course, the Joint Operations Center Basic Course, the Human Resources Management Qualification Course, the Joint Force Headquarters/Joint Task Force Staff Training Course, the Command & General Staff Officer Course Intermediate Level Education Common Core, the U.S. Army Airborne School and the U.S. Army Air Assault School.

He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Webster University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from St. Bonaventure University.

His awards, badges, and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal; the Air Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Achievement Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Afghanistan Campaign Medal; the Iraq Campaign Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; the Overseas Service Ribbon; the Meritorious Unit Commendation; the New York State Long and Faithful Service Award; the New York State Exercise Support Ribbon; the Medal for Humane Service to New York State; the Aviator Badge; the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

His professional organizations include the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), and the Military Association of New York (MANY).

Frank is married to the former Kristin Wheeler of Clifton Park, New York. The Franks are blessed with four beautiful children; Jacob, Clare, Maria and Lucy.

Frank and his family reside in Cohoes, New York.

42nd Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion:

The 42nd Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion organized in October 2011. It consists of four companies that support the commander and staff of the 42nd Infantry Division. These include the Headquarters and Support Company, Operations Company, Intelligence and Sustainment Company and Signal Company.

The 42nd Infantry Division aligns for training with more than 14,000 Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, the New Jersey National Guard's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the Vermont National Guard's 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the New Hampshire National Guard's 197th Fires Brigade and the Massachusetts Army National Guard's 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

© NYS DMNA Press Release:Afghanistan Veteran to Command Troy-based 42nd Headquarters Battalion
URL: https://dmna.ny.gov/pressroom/?id=1525697423
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Page Last Modified: May 07, 2018