The New York Guard has been increasing busy the last few months, here is some news covering their training, events and missions:

• Former NYC Department of Corrections Assistant Commissioner joins New York Guard – Link
• The New York Guard 89th Band joins the New York Army National Guard Band during summer tour – Link
• National Guard and New York Guard Conduct Joint Food Safety Training Exercise – Link
• The New York Guard recently participated in a MERNEX (Military Emergency Radio Network Exercise)

• New York Guard promotions and awards

• New York Air National Guard reenlists brother into New York Guard

Soldier Spotlight: SPC Mark Pisanelli, 56th Area Command

Story by SPC Richard Mayfield, New York Guard State Defense Force.
Photo by SGT Zach Perkins,New York Guard State Defense Force.
Additional photos provided by SPC Mark Pisanelli, New York Guard State Defense Force.

Above: New York Guard Specialist Mark Pisanelli (L) recites his oath of reenlistment, administered by his brother, First Lieutenant Christian Pisanelli (R) of the New York Air National Guard, at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY. Photo provided by SPC Mark Pisanelli, New York Guard State Defense Force.

Stewart Air National Guard Base Newburgh, NY – According to the Department of Defense’s Manpower Data Center about 1.4 million people are serving in the United States Armed Forces. Given the population of the United States that means less than 0.5 percent of the American population is active military. So when you consider those numbers it becomes all the more amazing when you consider the dual service of the Pisanelli brothers.

The oath of enlistment is a moving ceremony that affirms or reaffirms a soldiers pledge to our nation and state. New York Guard Specialist Mark Pisanelli recently re-enlisted in the State Defense Force, and while that is an honor unto itself, what made it even more important was who administered his oath.

In what was certainly an exceptional moment, his brother, 1LT Christian Pisanelli who had just graduated from training as an F-16 fighter pilot, was back in New York visiting his family before leaving for a three-year deployment to Germany was available to perform the oath for his own brother.

Above: First Lieutenant Christian Pisanelli (R) of the New York Air National Guard congratulates his brother, Specialist Mark Pisanelli (L) of the New York Guard State Defense Force on his reenlistment at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, NY. Photo provided by SPC Mark Pisanelli, New York Guard State Defense Force.

“Our family has long tradition of military service”, said SPC Pisanelli “From our grandfathers who served with distinction in both World War’s to our Uncle Paul Haug who spent 27 years in the Air Force and retired from Stewart as a Chief Master Sergeant. We have always been taught that this nation must be defended to be preserved. Having my brother administer the oath meant more to me than I can say. He is my hero and I am proud of what he is doing to protect our nation.”

SPC Pisanelli currently serves with the 56th Area Command and his New York Guard service allows him to give back to his community, in a rewarding and fulfilling way that helps continue the Pisanelli tradition. In the last year, SPC Pisanelli’s own service was recognized when he was named one of the recipients of the 56th Area Command’s ‘Soldier of the Year’ award alongside SPC Orlando Villa.

Above: New York Guard Specialist Mark Pisanelli (Second from Left) holds a framed copy of the Soldier’s Creed alongside Specialist Orlando Villa (Second from Right) after being named the 56th Area Command’s Soldiers of the Year at Camp Smith Training Site on December 2nd, 2017. Photo by SGT Zach Perkins, New York Guard State Defense Force.

The New York Guard is the state’s volunteer emergency response and defense force and has served the people of New York State for over 100 years.

Source: https://newyorkguard.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/soldier-spotlight-spc-mark-pisanelli-56th-area-command/