Albany County Executive Dan McCoy retires from New York Army National Guard after 37 years of service

Master Sgt. Dan McCoy recognized during ceremony at Normanside Country Club in Delmar

Delmar, New York (09/30/2026) — New York Army National Guard Master Sgt. Dan McCoy, the Albany County executive in civilian life, retired from the New York Army National Guard after 37 years of service during a Sept. 25 ceremony.

His retirement ceremony at the Normanside Country Club in the Albany suburb of Delmar, was attended by local political leaders and elected officials, as well as veterans who served with McCoy.

McCoy has served as Albany County executive--the top elected official of the 321,000-resident county--since 2012. Previously he had served as a county legislator for 12 years.

Prior to becoming county executive, McCoy worked as a firefighter and EMT for the Albany County Airport and the Albany Fire Department, respectively. Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, who presided over the ceremony, said McCoy has had an outstanding military career.

McCoy deployed to Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division and was awarded the Combat Action Badge. But he also worked hard to ensure that the needs of Soldiers and their families were being met, Shields said.

"He was always looking for ways to assist our Soldiers - anything from a helping hand, sage advice, or help with solving a problem," Shields said.

"Dan was also never hesitant to identify to senior leaders when a Soldier needed some additional support or assistance," he added.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul attended McCoy's retirement ceremony and joined Shields in presenting him with the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal along with a Minute Man statuette to mark his service.

In his remarks, McCoy thanked his family for their support over the years.

"My wife Alyssa carried our family every time I was gone: every drill weekend, every mobilization, every deployment. You never got a medal for it, but you've earned it," he said.

McCoy also thanked the Soldiers he served with over 37 years. Every medal and award he earned was earned because of the Soldiers he served alongside, and they shared in that recognition, he said.

"I would do it all again, because of the people in this room," McCoy said.

"The uniform is coming off tonight, but the Guard never leaves you. You're my family, and you always will be," he added.

McCoy's military career began when he enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in May of 1989. He initially served as an armor crewman and later trained as a financial management technician and a preventive medical specialist.

He was part of the New York National Guard response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and served on New York National Guard security missions in the city.

McCoy worked as a recruiter, as part of the New York Counterdrug Task Force stopping drugs on the Canadian border, as a member of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, and then as part of the New York National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Program.

The Yellow Ribbon Program, created in the early days of the wars in Iran and Afghanistan, worked to help families and Soldiers cope with deployment and then the return from war.

In November of 2005, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that deployment, he was awarded the Combat Action Badge. The award is presented to non-Infantry Soldiers who see combat.

His final assignment was in the Headquarters Detachment of Joint Force Headquarters. During the ceremony, McCoy was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal. His wife also received the Conspicuous Service Medal in recognition of her support for his military career.

Media Attachments