On February 27, 2025, more than 150 members of New York’s military forces — including the New York Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Naval Militia, and the New York Guard (State Defense Force) — gathered at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton to complete testing and graduate from an intensive 40-day Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course. The training was conducted under the New York National Guard’s Operation EMT Certification initiative and was designed to accelerate the standard four-to-six-month curriculum into an intensive, mission-ready program. These graduates were assigned to Joint Task Force NY National Guard EMT Training, and their completion of this program marks a significant achievement not only for the individuals involved but for the readiness and capability of New York’s Joint Military Forces.
The New York Guard frequently supports missions alongside their National Guard and Naval Militia counterparts. One of the most prominent examples of this joint cooperation is the Asylum Relief Mission, an ongoing task force operation that includes the New York Guard, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and Naval Militia. The mission focuses on providing humanitarian support, security, and emergency response for asylum seekers awaiting the processing of their cases in New York.
A few years ago, the importance of EMT training became dramatically clear during a emergency at one of the mission sites where asylum seekers lived. Private First Class (PFC) Robil Rahyab of the New York Guard and Lance Corporal William Kong of the Naval Militia and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve were on duty when they encountered a life-threatening emergency involving an infant whose heart had stopped. PFC Rahyab, a former EMT, immediately recognized the signs of cardiac arrest and initiated CPR. Thanks to his rapid response and medical training, the baby’s heart began beating again. Emergency Services quickly transported the infant to a local hospital for further evaluation. The child has since recovered and is now healthy and safe with her family.
This event underscores the critical nature of the accelerated EMT training, especially for New York Guard members who routinely serve in joint operations. Whether responding to natural disasters, public health crises, or humanitarian relief missions, New York Guard personnel are increasingly relied upon to provide frontline support in medical and emergency roles.
The integration of New York Guard soldiers into advanced medical training alongside National Guard and Naval Militia counterparts reflects the state’s growing recognition of the indispensable role State Defense Force members play in unified response efforts. Their dedication, readiness, and skill continue to enhance the strength and resilience of New York’s emergency response capabilities.
More than 150 New York military forces members gathered to complete testing and graduate from an accelerated 40-day emergency medical technician training on Feb. 27 at the Armed Forces Reserve Center on US Army Garrison Fort Hamilton. The class was part of the NY National Guard Operation EMT Certification training. The service members — from the New York Army and Air National Guard, Naval Militia and New York Guard State Defense Force — were assigned to Joint Task Force NY National Guard EMT Training. The course typically takes four to six months to complete. (U.S. Army photo by Mark Getman – Fort Hamilton Garrison Public Affairs)
Source: New York National Guard
