Recently during Annual Training (AT) The New York Guard made many changes to the organization so we reached out to The New York National Guard to help clarify the changes.
The New York Guard has undergone notable transformations over the last decade.. Initially, they were involved in Search & Rescue missions, but this function was terminated in 2014. By 2019, the Engineering Unit, which used to assist The National Guard with maintenance and construction tasks at armories and training locations, was deactivated. Furthermore, during this years Annual Training, the last medical unit of The New York Guard was disbanded. Over the past two decades, these medical units had a range of responsibilities, from aiding high-profile units like The National Guard CERFP Team to providing mobilization support for deploying National Guard units.
These changes largely stem from a shift in The New York Guard’s strategy. The emphasis now is on creating multi-skilled soldiers capable of handling diverse roles. By equipping their soldiers with a broad skill set, The New York Guard aims to better support The National Guard across a variety of mission requirements.
We recently held an interview with Public Affairs Officer of The New York National Guard, Colonel Richard Goldenberg, regarding these changes, here are their responses:
Last year I was informed there were 500 troops in The New York Guard, recently I was told there are less than 300 now.
Our 2022 Annual Report (https://dmna.ny.gov/annual/NYNG_annual_report_2022.pdf) states that the NY Guard last year was authorized 804 personnel and as of December 2022, the number of assigned personnel stood at 301. For comparison, five years ago, in 2018, the NY Guard was authorized 810 and had 411 personnel assigned.
We were informed The New York Guard no longer has a dedicated Engineering unit. Can you confirm?
Yes, the engineer detachment deactivated in 2019.
We were also informed The New York Guard is retiring their Medical unit. Can you confirm?
Yes, the medical detachment deactivated Tuesday, August 15, when the 244th Medical Detachment held a casing of the colors ceremony. Its remaining personnel were reassigned to similar duties within each area command headquarters.
We were also informed the New York Guard no longer trains in Search & Rescue missions or has a unit dedicated for such missions.
That mission, supporting the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, was released a decade ago. The last class for certification of NY Guard volunteers was in 2013 and the tasking for support was formally stood down in 2014.
Is The New York Guard still focusing on Forklift training / Chainsaw training?
Yes, the NY Guard still provides qualification training for forklift operators as part of the logistical support effort during civil support operations. Chainsaw training is provided only as needed, depending on mission requirements. It is no longer conducted at the NY Guard annual training.
Is there a reorganization currently occurring in The New York Guard that would transform the NYG into more of a company level / platoon level force?
This week of annual training the NY Guard headquarters implemented the reorganization of its three area commands to better reflect their role during civil support operations. They are now commanded by majors and the senior NCO is the area command first sergeant. The area commands are now organized more like a company element with subordinate platoons, rather than detachments, and no longer have full staffs, but do have an executive officer, an adjutant and a logistics officer.
Brig. Gen. Riley is focusing the area commands to better mobilize smaller elements on short notice for state active duty requirements of the state.
Riley presided over three change of command ceremonies during Annual Training 2023. The command of the 10th Area Command transitioned from Col. Geoffrey Milligan to Capt. James Cousins. The second change of command saw Col. Glenn Marchi relinquishing the 56th Area Command to Maj. Michael Doria. Lastly, Lt. Col. Christopher St. Victor passed the mantle of leadership of the 88th Area Command to Capt. David Tsin at Camp Smith.
Due to this reorganization we were informed that many soldiers and officers will be listed as Controlled Access Group. If so, what would this groups purpose become?
With the significant grade reductions in the area commands for reorganization, the senior ranks and former senior staff officers and NCOs no longer have duty positions with their former area commands. The New York Guard Control Group now includes those individuals, including three colonels, three sergeants major and approximately a dozen more field grade officers or senior NCOs.
These personnel have been reassigned as the 12th Support Command Detachment and operate as a subordinate element of the NY Guard Headquarters to leverage their collective experience as senior mentors, instructors and advisors. These personnel will assist in curriculum design under the close supervision and coordination with the NY Guard Operations Officer (G3). Their first taskings are to update all the Professional Military Education manuals for such classes as Initial Entry Training, Officer Candidate School and the manuals for NCO Educational Development.
Does the NYG still conduct Honor Guard missions?
Select NY Guard volunteers served on State Active Duty from 2008-2010 to augment the NY Army National Guard during surge deployment periods as backfill members. It is not a mission of the NY Guard as a whole and I’m unaware of our members performing those duties since 2010.
We have heard reports recruiting is a struggle in The New York Guard, and retention is poor, can you confirm?
I would only share that the NY Guard trained 57 new members during this week’s annual training at Camp Smith, a 19% increase in membership for this year. In addition, the NY Guard also trained six new officers at its OCS course this week.
The NY Guard conducted two annual training periods this year with more than 210 personnel attending, notwithstanding 86 other NY Guard members already serving on State Active Duty this year for the asylum seeker support mission across New York City. That’s more than 300 members participating in training and missions for the NY Guard.
And of the 57 new graduates from initial training, I am told 40 are already volunteering to support the ongoing state active mission.
