Jennifer Jantzi Schlichter, Class of 2002

LTC Jennifer Jantzi-Schlichter was born and raised in Hamburg, NY.  After graduating high school, she attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Psychology and Systems Engineering.  Following graduation from West Point in 2006, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Following graduation, Jennifer was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.  From there, she deployed to Iraq in 2007 as an Engineer Platoon Leader in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In 2008-2009, Jennifer deployed back to Iraq with the 172nd Infantry Brigade as a Company Executive Officer and Brigade Engineer Officer.

In 2010, Jennifer returned to the United States, where she attended Civil Affairs training in Fort Liberty, NC.  Following transition to the Civil Affairs Branch and language training in Pashto, Jennifer deployed as a Special Operations Team Leader in 2012-2013 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  In 2014, Jennifer took command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade and subsequently assumed responsibilities as the Civil Military Operations Officer in 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.  In 2015 she deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

In 2018, Jennifer took command of Charlie Company, 98th Civil Affairs Battalion in Fort Liberty, NC, deployed the company to South America and was subsequently assigned as the Battalion Executive Officer.  In 2021, Jennifer transitioned to 18th Airborne Corps, supporting the evacuation of civilians out of Afghanistan.  Months later, she deployed to Europe in support of operations in Ukraine to counter Russian Aggression.  While deployed, she was assigned as the Aide-de-Camp for the Corps Commanding General.  She most recently deployed back to Europe in 2023 in support of the evacuation of civilians out of Sudan.  In June 2024, she will take Battalion Command of 1-13th Infantry Battalion in Fort Jackson, SC.

Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and as attended the following military courses:  Sapper School (one of the first 10 female graduates), Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School and SERE School (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape).  Her most notable awards include the Bronze Star Medal (3x), Meritorious Service Medal (3x), Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Combat Action Badge.

She is married to Thomas Schlichter.  They reside in Vass, NC and have two sons, Wyatt (4) and Cole (2) and a baby due in December.