ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Brick resident Col. Charles A. Harvey Jr. assumed command of the 57th Troop Command, New Jersey Army National Guard from Col. Carlo J. Accardi at the National Guard Armory in Atlantic City on Oct. 6.
The 57th Troop Command is one of three-major New Jersey Army National Guard Commands and is the administrative headquarters for the 119th Corps Support Battalion, 150th Aviation Battalion, 50th Finance Battalion, and the 50th Personnel Services Battalion.  The 57th Troop Command is responsible for ensuring that these units are prepared for state and federal missions.  Since Sept. 11, the 57th Troop Command has been in the forefront of Homeland Defense, both in New Jersey and at locations around the world.  Following the terrorist attacks, 57th Troop Command Guardsmen were mobilized for service at the Hudson River bridges and tunnels, Fresh Kills Landfill, and the state’s two nuclear power facilities.  Aviation personnel supported New Jersey State Police and the FBI by flying Anthrax evidence from contaminated locations throughout the state to Ft. Detrick, Md., for analysis.  Members of the 57th Troop Command have served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield, deployed to Bosnia, Panama, and other locations throughout the world.

 Col. Harvey was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Mastbaum Vocational Technical High School in 1966. He joined the New Jersey National Guard in March 1967.  He received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Trenton State College in Trenton New Jersey in 1986.  He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant from the Officer Candidate School at the New Jersey Military Academy located in Sea Girt, N.J., in July 1978 and completed the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course.  He is a graduate of both the United State Army General Staff College and the United States Army War College where he earned a Master Degree in Strategic Studies.

In addition to commanding the 57th Troop Command, Col. Harvey serves as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations. His previous assignment was as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Chief Training Branch for the HQ’s State Area Command.  Past assignments have included Executive Officer and Supervisor of the 57th Troop Command, Headquarters State Area Command, commanding the 119th Support Battalion, Supply Management Officer for the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for New Jersey and Company Commander Company A, 250th Supply and Transportation Battalion.

Col. Harvey has received numerous military awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Award, the Humanitarian Service Award, The Volunteerism Award, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, New Jersey Desert Storm Support Medal, New Jersey State Service Award, New Jersey Good Conduct Medal, New Jersey Medal of Merit, and the New Jersey Medal of Honor.