Troy-based 42nd Infantry Headquarters Battalion welcomes new Commander this Sunday

TROY, N.Y. (10/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Lt. Col. Mark Frank, a combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will take command of the 42nd Infantry Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion from Lt. Col. Christopher Panzer here on Sunday. October 25.

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 and the 42nd Infantry Division Band.

WHO: Lt. Col. Mark Frank, the incoming commander; Lt. Col. Christopher Panzer, 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. Panzer will hand the battalion flag, commonly called the colors, to Lt. Col. Frank to mark the transition from one commander to another.

WHEN: 11 a.m. Sunday, October 25, 2015

WHERE: New York State Armory, 137 Glenmore Road, Troy N.Y. 12180

Coverage Opportunities:

Interviews with Lt. Col. Frank, and Lt. Col. Panzer 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 Sgt. 1st Steve Petibone, 518-795-0369

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.

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, POL Platoon Leader, Battalion S1, Company Commander, Senior Human Resources Officer, Assistant G1, 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 and his family reside in Cohoes, New York.

Lt. Col. Christopher Panzer:

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Panzer, an Albany resident and a veteran of the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, first began his military career as an active duty enlisted Solder serving with the 3rd Infantry Division.

Panzer received his commission as a second lieutenant after graduating from the Empire State Military Academy's Officer Candidate School in 1991.

His past assignments include leadership and staff positions that include Rifle Platoon Leader, Rifle Company Executive Officer and Rifle Company Commander and Battalion Air Operations Officer, all within the 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry.

During his tour with the 1-105th Infantry, Panzer was an initial military responder to the World Trade Center attack in September 2001 and assisted with the establishing military security forces stationed in NYC airports and Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

Panzer also served as the Battalion Executive Officer to the 42nd Infantry Division Special Troops Battalion and was most recently assigned as Executive Officer to The Adjutant General of the New York National Guard.

A graduate of Regents College, he is also a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advance Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School and Intermediate Level Education (ILE) Common Core and Advanced Operations Course.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze star, The Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NATO Medal.

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.

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