Goshen resident Isabel Smith promoted to Colonel in NY Army National Guard

CAMP SMITH, CORTLANDT MANOR, NY (11/08/2016)(readMedia)-- Isabel Smith, a Goshen resident and an Iraq War veteran, was promoted to Colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a Ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Smith, who has served in the military for 31 years, is currently assigned as the Chief of Staff for the 53rd Troop Command, a unit responsible for over 4,000 troops based across New York.

Smith also received a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of her service in her last job, as executive officer for the Adjutant General of New York, the commander of the New York National Guard.

Smith enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 1989 and served as a full-time enlisted Soldier for nine years before being commissioned through Officer Candidate School as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1995.

Smith, a full-time Army National Guard officer, has served in a number of positions to include Assistant Operations Officer for a Rear Area Command Post, Headquarters Detachment Commander, Commander of the 369th Special Troops Battalion, Personnel Officer, Administrative Officer, Deputy Director of Logistics for the New York National Guard, and Executive Officer to the Adjutant General of New York.

Smith served in Iraq in 2010 and 2011 as Deputy Team Chief at Iraq Police National Headquarters in Baghdad.

She said she is pleased about her new assignment as Chief of Staff for the 53rd Troops Command.

"I am humbled and excited about this amazing opportunity. I have come full circle because the 53rd Troop Command is the unit I started when I was a Sergeant," Smith said.

The 53rd Troop Command provides command and administrative support for military police, engineer, and logistics support units located throughout New York State. These units play a key role when the New York National Guard responds to weather emergencies like Superstorm Sandy.

Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Saint Mary College and a Master's of Science in Education in Counseling & Development from Long Island University.

She is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a Master's degree in Strategic Studies and the Army Command and General Staff College, as well as the Army's Quartermaster Basic and Advanced Courses.

Her awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

She and her husband Peter have seven children: Kassandra, Jessica, Shannon, Antoinette, Amelia, Karissa, and a son, Jamarr.