On 28 February 2013 LTC Stender received command of the Battalion from LTC Eric D. Brunken.

     On 20 February 2015 LTC Stender passed command of the Battalion to LTC Karst Brandsma, and retired from active duty.

      LTC David D, Stender is a native of Piggott, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard in July 1988 where he served in the Infantry in various positions reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1991. In 1995 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps from the Arkansas State University ROTC Program where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology. He later completed a dual Masters Degree in Computer Information Systems Management and Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University and a Masters of Military Studies from the Air Command and General Staff College.

      LTC Stender served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in the 984th Military Police Company and as a Platoon Leader in HHC, 3BCT, 4th Infantry Division in Bosnia and Fort Carson, CO. As a Captain, he served as the Adjutant for 202d Military Police Group CID in Mannheim Germany. He commanded the 501st Military Police Company and served as the 1st Armored Division Force Protection Officer in Wiesbaden and Iraq. He was assigned as the Senior Military Police Observer/Controller at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA. He served as an Officer Basic Course and Captains Career Course Instructor at Fort Leonard Wood, MO obtaining the rank of Major. He then joined the 720th Military Police Battalion in Iraq where he served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer there and at Fort Hood. Following his attendance at the Air Command and Staff College, he was again assigned to Fort Hood where he served as the 1st Cavalry Division Provost Marshal at Fort Hood and Regional Command East, Afghanistan. Since June 2012, he has served as the 89th Military Police Brigade Deputy Commander.

     LTC Stender has served on multiple deployments. He deployed in support of IFOR / SFOR, Bosnia Herzegovina, as a Platoon Leader, 984th Military Police Company; Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 1, Iraq, as the 501st Military Police Company Commander and 1st Armored Division Force Protection Officer; OIF 07-09, Iraq, as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 720th Military Police Battalion; and Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, as the Regional Command-East Provost Marshal for 1st Calvary Division.

     LTC Stender’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (2), the NATO Medal, the Airborne Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.

    On 22 February 2015 LTC Stender was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal just prior to his retirement.