Colonel Natalie R. Jacaruso

Director, Biometrics Identity Management Agency

Born in Portugal, Colonel Jacaruso earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Spanish from SUNY, Albany, a Masters in Education from Seattle and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. Her military education includes the Basic and Advanced Officer Courses, Combined Arms Staff and Service School, the US Army Command and General Staff College and the US Army War College. A former enlisted interrogator, she received her commission in 1980 through the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Colonel Jacaruso has served in a variety of staff and command positions. Her most recent assignment has been as the Military Deputy and Chief of Staff of BIMA. Previously she served as the Director of Biometrics for ARCENT/CFLCC in Kuwait and from Sep 2006-Sep 2008 as the Director of Operations for DOD Biometrics in Baghdad, Iraq. She commanded the 380th CRC Battalion in Bothell, Washington and the 1st Replacement Company, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas and has served at the 2-star level as both a G1 and a G3. She speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish.

Her awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, 5 awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, 4 awards of the Army Commendation Medal, 2 awards of the Army Achievement Medal, 2 awards of the National Defense Service Medal and the SWA Expeditionary Medal among others. She is a member of the OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia and was the 2008 recipient of the US Army Military Leadership Award for Service to the Warfighter.

Colonel Jacaruso has two children, Michael, 29, of Texas and Matthew, 25, of Massachusetts.

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