Balston Spa resident Michael Golden promoted to Major in the Marine Corps component of the New York Naval Militia

Latham, NY (09/07/2022) — Michael Golden, a Balston Spa resident and a veteran of the War in Afghanistan, was promoted to major in the Marine Corps component of the New York Naval Militia during a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.

The New York Naval Militia is the state's naval defense force. Most of the members serve in the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard reserves and also serve in the state force concurrently.

Some members, like Golden, are former members of the naval services who continue to serve the state.

Rear Admiral Lawrence Weill, the commander of the New York Naval Militia, praised Golden as an exceptional officer.

A promotion, he told Golden, is not about being recognized for what an officer has done, it is a recognition that he or she is ready to move up to the next level of responsibility.

In his remarks, Golden thanked his wife, Dr. Krista Golden, for her support, as well as the service members he worked with during the pandemic.

Golden was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 2009 after graduating from Norwich University, where he participated in Naval ROTC.

He served as a logistics officer and motor transport platoon commander in the 2nd Marine Division's 1st Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment in Helmond Province, Afghanistan.

He joined the Marine Corps Reserve and served with the 6th Communications Battalion in Brooklyn until 2016.

In February 2020, Golden joined the New York Naval Militia. He went on state active duty in March 2020 as the state geared up for the COVID-19 pandemic.

He served in the New York National Guard's joint logistics cell tracking COVID-19 related supplies.

His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action ribbon, and the New York State Medal for Meritorious Service.

Since September 2021, he has served as the Personnel Action Team commander and deputy personnel officer in the Naval Militia.

Major Golden holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Norwich, as well as a Master of Criminal Justice from Boston University. He graduated High School from LaSalle Institute, Troy, NY.

He is employed full time as a Criminal Investigator and Firearms Instructor with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

He is married to Dr. Krista Golden, who is a pharmacist with CVS Omnicare. They have four daughters, Kaylee (12), Ella (11), Claira (9), and Eva (6).

Media Attachments