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
NY National Guard In the News
Albany Times Union, Aug. 21 -- Thu, 21 Aug 2025 Duty Calls: West Point grad advances to Army National Guard colonel Mathew Kilgore, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, has advanced to the rank of colonel in the New York Army National Guard. The 2002 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point... (more)
The Daily Gazette -- Wed, 13 Aug 2025 New York National Guard Promotions LATHAM Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability... (more)
Daily Gazette -- Tue, 12 Aug 2025 Air Guard Lt. Col. Longlois retires after 42 years of service New York Air National Guard Lt. Col. Charles Longlois, a Mayfield resident, retired after a 42-year military career during a ceremony held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham... (more)