 |
|
Craig Christensen Biography
ALASKA MILITARY YOUTH ACADEMY
Craig N. Christensen
Director, Alasak Military Youth Academy
Biography
Craig N. Christensen
serves as the full-time Director of the Alaska Miltary Youth Academy for
the State of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. As a continuing Alaska Army National Guardsman, Brig. Gen. Christensen also continues to serve as the Assistant Adjutant General for Space and Missile Defense.
Craig Christensen was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on January 17,
1951. He moved with his family to Alaska in 1960. He graduated from East
Anchorage High School in 1969. He graduated from Alaska
Methodist University cum laude in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Political
Science and History. He was commissioned on February 25, 1977, as a second
lieutenant of Armor following completion of the Alaska Army National Guard
Officer Candidate School. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic Course,
the Armor Officer Advance Course, the United States Army Command and General
Staff College, and the United States Army War College.
Craig Christensen enlisted in the Alaska Army National Guard in 1972
and served as an enlisted soldier in the 5th Battalion, 297th Cavalry. Following
receipt of his commission, he served as personnel officer, 813th Engineer
Battalion (USAR) followed byassignments as
platoon leader, logistics officer, operations officer, force development
officer, plans operations officer, military support officer, and mobilization
officer in the Alaska Army National Guard. Christensen commanded HHC and
Co. A, 5th Battalion (Scout), 297th Infantry and served as assistant Inspector
General on the personal staff of The Adjutant General, State of Alaska. His most
recent military assignments include Commander, 5th Battalion (Scout), 297th
Infantry; G3, G1, Chief of Staff – Army, and Deputy Commander of the Alaska Army
National Guard; and Commander, 207th Infantry Group (Scout).
Christensen’s military awards include three Meritorious Service Medals,
three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Armed Forces
Reserve Medal, the Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense
Service Ribbon, Alaska Commendation Medal, and the Alaska Domestic Emergency
Ribbon.
His civilian affiliations include the Association of the United States Army, the
National Guard Association of the United States, the Alaska National Guard
Officers Association, and the Alaska Army National Guard Enlisted Association.
General Christensen is active in supporting volunteer civic organizations such
as the Armed Services YMCA and Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Brigadier General
Christensen resides in Eagle River, Alaska, with his wife, Naomi, originally of
Galesburg, North Dakota. He has two sons, Ross and Ryan, and a daughter, Kara.
EDUCATION:
1972 Alaska Methodist University – Political Science / History
MILITARY
SCHOOLS ATTENDED:
Personnel Management Specialist (71H)
Officer Candidate School
Armor
Officer Basic Course
Armor
Officer Advanced Course
United States Army Command and General Staff College
Inspector
General Course
United States Army War College
PRIOR ASSIGNMENTS:
Sep
72 Enlisted Service
Feb 77 Support
Platoon Leader, HHC 5th Battalion (Arctic Recon), 297th
Infantry,
Anchorage,
Alaska
May 77 Commander, HHC, 5th Battalion (arctic
Recon), 297th Infantry,
Anchorage,
Alaska
Jan
79 S-1, 813th
Engineer Battalion,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Dec 81 Force
Development Officer, USAR Control Group, Fort
Richardson,
Alaska
May
82 Logistics
Officer, HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort
Richardson,
Alaska
Sep 84 Operations
Officer, HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort
Richardson,
Alaska
Aug 85 Liaison Officer, HHC, 207th Infantry
Group (Scout),
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Dec 86 Force
Development Officer (DPTM), HQ State Area Command- AK, Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Jun 88
Commander, Company A, 5th Battalion (Arctic Recon), 297th
Infantry, Anchorage,
Alaska
Dec 88 Mobilization Officer, (DPTM) HQ State Area
Command-AK,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Apr 89
Assistant Inspector General, HQ State Area Command-AK,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Jun 91
Chief, Plans, Operations & Military Support Office, HQ STARC-AK
Fort Richardson
,
Alaska
Mar 94 Commander, 5th
Battalion (Arctic Recon) 297th Infantry, Fort
Richardson
,
Alaska
(BN inactivated
30 Sep 94
)
Oct
94 Deputy Director -Plans,
Training, Mobilization (DPTM/G-3) (Overstrength),
HQ State Area Command-AK,
Fort Richardson
,
Alaska
Apr 95
Director –Plans, Training, Mobilization (DPTM/G-3) HQ State
Area
Command-AK,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Nov 95
Director –Personnel and Administration (DPA/G-1) HQ State
Area
Command-AK,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Jun 97
Deputy
Commander
,
Alaska
Army National Guard,
HQ State
Area
Command-AK,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Aug 98
Chief of Staff,
Alaska
Army National Guard,
HQ State Area
Command-AK,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Jul 00 Deputy STARC Commander,
Alaska
Army National Guard,
HQ
STARC-AK,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
Jun 01 Commander, 207th Infantry Group
(Scout)
Dec
02
STARC
Commander,
Alaska
Army National Guard,
Fort
Richardson,
Alaska
Aug 03 Commander of the Alaska Army National Guard/Assistant Adjutant General,
Fort Richardson,
Alaska
MAJOR AWARDS AND
DECORATIONS:
Meritorious
Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Army
Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Army
Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Army
Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
National
Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Armed
Forces Reserve Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
2nd Lieutenant
25 Feb 77
1st
Lieutenant
9 May 78
Captain
15 Aug 81
Major
17 Dec 86
Lieutenant Colonel 19
Nov 91
Colonel
15 Nov 96
Brigadier
General 14 Mar 02
|
|
