Amherst resident Kevin Roeser is now the top enlisted Soldier in the Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division
The Troy-based division is one of eight in the Army National Guard and has Soldiers throughout the northeast
Latham, New York (10/19/2026) — New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Kevin Roeser, an East Amherst resident and Iraq War veteran, became the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in the National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division on October 17.
Roeser took over the job of division command sergeant major during a ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham. The division is based in Troy.
Six thousand New York Army National Guard Soldiers are in the 42nd Infantry Division. The 42nd Infantry Division also has Soldiers in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Vermont, Rhode Island, and several other states.
In his new role Roeser is the chief advisor to the division commander, Brigadier General Richard Cipro, on training issues involving the division's enlisted Soldiers.
In civilian life Roeser is an operating room nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Buffalo.
Roeser, previously served as the command sergeant major of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team head quartered in Syracuse, New York.
Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, and Major General Jack James, the previous commander of the 42nd Infantry Division praised Roeser as an outstanding leader.
"Thank you for joining the division, we appreciate it, we know you're going to lead the division to even better heights as we move forward," Shields said.
"You have spent your entire life preparing for this day and I'm totally confident that you will knock it out of the park. I wish you all possible success, I look forward to seeing what you can achieve," James told Roeser.
In his remarks, Roser thanked the leadership of the New York Army Guard for trusting him with this new job.
"Selection to serve as the senior enlisted leader of this historic division is both a privilege and a solemn responsibility. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and fully committed to earning that trust every single day," he said.
Roeser, thanked his family for their support throughout his career, and also thanked Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division during the ceremony.
"To my family, thank you, your unwavering support, patience, and sacrifice have made this moment possible. You have carried the weight of this profession alongside me often without recognition, I could not do this without you and I am forever grateful," Roeser said.
"To the Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division, thank you. Your hard work, professionalism, and dedication are the true strength of this formation," he added.
Roeser enlisted in the Army in 1994 and after completion of basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the Squadron mortar platoon in the 1/11 Army Cavalry Regiment (ACR) at Fort Irwin, California. He deployed to Bosnia while assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum.
In 2000 he joined the New York National Guard's 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry. In 2017 he deployed to Ukraine as the command sergeant major of the 2nd Battalion, 101st Cavalry to assist in training the Ukrainian Army.
In 2022, Roeser served as the 42d Infantry Division operations sergeant major prior to assuming the command sergeant major role in the 27th Infantry Brigade.
Roeser is a graduate of a number of Army schools to include the United States Army Sergeants Major Course, the Battalion Pre-Command Couse the, Army Pathfinder School, the Army Airborne School and the Cavalry Leaders Course.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Pathfinder Badge.
Roeser and his wife Kristen have two sons, Brennan and Kieran.
Media Attachments
Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Roeser, an East Amherst resident, accepts the flag of the 42nd Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. Jack James, the outgoing commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, during a ceremony conducted at the New York Army National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York, October 17, 2026. Roeser is now the top enlisted leader for the division, which is one of eight in the Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Grace Nechanicky)
New York National Guard
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