Col. Christina M. Buchner

Col. Christina M. Buchner assumed command of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Drum, N.Y., on July 21, 2023. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1998 as a 91E, Dental Assistant, and served as a member of the Iowa National Guard. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 2001 and earned her commission through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) as an Army Medical Service Corps officer.
 
She successfully completed three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She is a graduate of the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, the Naval War College, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the Eisenhower School, National Defense University. She possesses a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in International Security Affairs – Defense Decision Making and Planning, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy with a concentration in Data and Disruptive Technologies. Her published works include “Biologically Fit: Using Biotechnology to Create a Better Soldier” and is the co-author of “A Brief Primer on Enhancing Islamic Cultural Competency for Deploying Military Medical Providers,” Journal of Military Ethics.
 
Colonel Buchner's assignments include Evacuation Platoon Leader and Treatment Platoon Leader, C company, 325th Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (L), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Executive Officer, 8th Forward Surgical Team, 25th Infantry Division (L), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Battalion (S-3) Operations Officer, 299th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Conn Barracks, Germany; Commander, Company C, 299th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Conn Barracks, Germany; Commander, Company C, 172nd Support Battalion, 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Conn Barracks, Germany; Chief, Medical Plans and Operations, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), United States Special Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Executive Officer, 47th Combat Support Hospital, 62nd Medical Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Secretary of the General Staff, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Interagency Medical Planner for the Directorate of Operational Medicine, Bureau of Medical Services, United States Department of State, Washington, D.C; and Troop Commander, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, and Chief, G-3/7 Readiness and Training, G-3/5/7, MEDCOM/OTSG, Falls Church, Virginia.
 
Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (2 awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2 awards), the Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Unit Citation (3), the Department of State Superior Honor Award, the Iraq Campaign Medal (4 Campaign Stars), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Campaign Star), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Order of Military Medical Merit, and the Australian Parachutist Badge.