Major Canterna received his commission as an Engineer Officer on May 10, 2001 upon graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. In 2004 Major Canterna was approved for a branch transfer and was reclassified as an Infantry Officer.
Major Canterna’s military schooling includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Infantry Captain’s Career Course, Airborne School, Ranger School, Sapper Leader Course, and Jumpmaster School.
Major Canterna’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device and 2 oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, , NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Sapper Tab.
Major Canterna’s assignments include Combat Engineer Platoon Leader, Assault and Obstacle Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer in the 4th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. Following the Infantry Captain’s Career Course, Major Canterna was assigned as the Brigade Plans Officer for 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Hovey, Republic of Korea. He was then assigned as the Assistant Operations Officer and Bravo Company Commander of 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Major Canterna’s most recent assignment was as the Battalion Adjutant and Bravo Company Commander for 2d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. Major Canterna has deployed five times to both Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror.
Major Canterna and his wife Jennifer are the parents of Shaun (8), Dylan (3), and Vanessa (1). They currently live in Gig Harbor, Washington.
