Illinois Army National Guard Colonel Max Casteleyn of Mundelein, Illinois, was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his work as commander of the Chicago-based 244th Digital Liaison Detachment from January 2022 to August 2023.
Digital Liaison Detachments act as liaisons between military headquarters to allow commanders to integrate military operations in joint, intergovernmental and multinational environments by providing the staff interface, mentoring, support and communication required for partners and allies to accomplish their missions.
Col. Casteleyn, a 27-year Army veteran, now commands the Peoria-based 65th Troop Command Brigade, which oversees an artillery battalion, aviation battalion and other aviation companies, a civil support team, a digital liaison detachment, a public affairs detachment, a cyber defense team, military intelligence units, and an Army band. These units are spread throughout Illinois.
Col. Casteleyn has deployed numerous times to the Middle East, South-Central Asia, and to the Balkans. As a civilian, he is a senior client partner for Franklin Covey.
The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is a decoration presented by the United States Armed Forces to recognize superior and exceptional non-combat service.