SARATOGA SPRINGS-- The last draftee Soldier on active duty, United States Army Material Command Sgt. Major Jeffery Mellinger (left), presents a United States Flag to outgoing New York State Command Sgt. Major Robert Van Pelt during his retirement dinner here on May 6. Mellinger was drafted into the Army in 1972. He and Van Pelt,also a draftee, were in the same class in the Sergeants Major Academy.
Van Pelt retired from the New York Army National Guard after serving as New York State Command Sergeant Major for ten years. Van Pelt, a veteran of the Vietnam War served in the Active Army, Army Reserve and New York Army National Guard for 42 years.
DMNA Press Releases
Loading Press Releases...NY National Guard In the News
WNYT -- Wed, 28 Oct 2026 Clifton Park Veteran to receive 2026 Veteran of the Year Award SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (WNYT)- Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Barry Hartman has been named the 2026 Veteran of the Year by the Friends of the New York State Military Museum (FNYMM) and... (more)
Times Union -- Mon, 26 Oct 2026 Naval Militia promotion Michael Golden, an Afghanistan War veteran from Ballston Spa, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the New York Naval Militia during a ceremony at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga... (more)
Olean Times Herald -- Wed, 21 Oct 2026 Emergency preparedness program Monday at Little Valley Fire Department LITTLE VALLEY New York National Guard members will be sharing tips on how to cope with a disaster and then recover quickly during a special program at 11 a.m. Monday at the Little Valley... (more)