Brigadier General Christopher R. Cronin was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, upon graduation from Syracuse University in October of 1993. He is a graduate of the United States Army Airborne School, Air Assault School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, the United States Army War College, the National Securities Studies Program at Syracuse University and the Senior Leader Development Seminar (ASEP-B).
BG Cronin currently serves as the Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver for the 42d Infantry Division. He formerly served as the Chief of the Joint Staff, New York National Guard. He served as the Rear Detachment Commander for the 42d Infantry Division, NYARNG during the Division’s deployment to the CENTCOM AOR in support of OPERATION SPARTAN SHIELD. BG Cronin served as the Brigade Commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, commanding units that deployed to Australia, Ukraine, Korea, France, Belgium and the Dominican Republic in support of training and strategic missions. BG Cronin served for over four-years as the Commander of 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, culminating in a successful deployment and rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center. In addition to both Rifle and Anti-Armor, Platoon and Company leadership assignments, he served a three-year Counter-Drug Tour with the 2nd BN 108th Infantry. He was assigned briefly to the 98th Division (Institutional Training) where he served as the Force Protection/Anti-Terrorism Officer, Physical Security Officer, and Operations and Plans Officer. He returned to the 27th IBCT as the Brigade Plans Officer, before transitioning to the 42nd Infantry Division, where he served as the Division Plans Officer, Assistant Division Operations Officer, Homeland Response Force - FEMA Region II, Operations Officer, and the Officer in Charge of the Division’s Early Entry Command Post.
From 2007-2008, BG Cronin deployed to Khowst, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as the Brigade Operations Officer for Embedded Tactical Trainers assigned to the 1st Brigade of the 203rd Afghan National Army Corps and later as an Infantry Kandak (Battalion) Team Chief for 3/1/203rd Corps, which participated in numerous named operations in Eastern Afghanistan along the Pakistan Border.
BG Cronin has received the following awards: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 2 silver oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Campaign Star), Global War on Terror Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with gold hourglass and “M” device), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (2nd award), ISAF Non-Article 5 NATO Medal, NYS Conspicuous Service Medal, NYS Long and Faithful Service Award, NYS Meritorious Service Medal, NYS Aid to Civil Authority Medal (3rd Award), NYS Counterdrug Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Army Marksmanship Badge (Gold), German Army Athletic Badge (Gold).
BG Cronin is a retired Supervisory Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who is currently employed by the Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. at their Corporate Headquarters located in Rochester, New York. He resides in Upstate New York with his wife and their three children.