Several of the New York Guard, the state’s uniformed volunteer emergency response force, received military recognitions at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.
Maj. Guy Van Baalen, from Manlius, New York, assigned to the New York Guard 10th Brigade received the Long and Faithful Service Award for achieving 10 years.
Maj. Guy Van Baalen, from Manlius, New York, assigned to the New York Guard 10th Brigade received the Meritorious Service Medal.
The New York Guard is a uniformed volunteer force which assists and augments the New York Army and Air National Guard in responding to natural disasters, state emergencies or state security missions.
New York Guard members serve in a volunteer basis and, unlike members of the Army and Air National Guard they are not a federal military force which can be mobilized for service overseas. The New York Guard is structured along military lines and observes military traditions and protocols.
New York Guard volunteers are part of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and come under the command of the Adjutant General, on behalf of the governor.
Many members of the New York Guard are retired members of the National Guard or other military forces, while others join directly in order to serve their state. New York Guard member often have civilian acquired skills or prior-service military knowledge that is very useful.
Members of the New York Guard responded when Superstorm Sandy hit New York in October 2012 and New York Guard members train regularly to prepare for missions. New York Guard members assisted in running National Guard headquarters, handled logistics missions, and assisted in communications.
New York Guard members train regularly and conduct a week-long annual training session at Camp Smith yearly.