Bronx Residents Change Responsibilities in NY Guard State Defense Force

OLD BETHPAGE, N.Y. (10/12/2023) — The New York Guard's 88th Area Command, the state defense force component of the New York Military Forces, welcomed 1st Sgt. Joseph Ronda as its senior noncommissioned officer (NCO) during a change of responsibility ceremony September 16, 2023 at the Museum of American Armory on Long Island.

Ronda, a Bronx resident, took over responsibilities as the senior enlisted leader of the 88th Area Command from Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Vera, also of the Bronx, following the unit's annual family day activities.

"First Sergeant Joseph Ronda is an excellent and highly dedicated and loyal NCO with plenty of relevant experience, both from prior federal military service and more than twelve years of service in the 88th Area Command," said New York Guard Capt. David Tsin, the unit commander. "The 88th Area Command is fortunate to have him as its first sergeant."

The New York Guard is a volunteer state militia, one of four components of the New York Military Forces, which includes the New York Army National Guard, New York Air National Guard and the New York Naval Militia.

The New York Guard was first established in 1917 to backfill the Army National Guard in homeland security duties when the state National Guard mobilized and deployed for service in World War I. Since then, New York Guard volunteers have trained to augment the National Guard during state emergencies.

The 88th Area Command has more than 130 volunteers and serves the largest population segment of New York State, with members supporting missions across New York City and Long Island.

Ronda served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998-2004 before switching to the Individual Ready Reserves until 2006 and enlisted in the New York Guard in 2010.

He completed the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course in 2012 and from 2013 to Ronda served as an instructor for various courses such as Initial Entry Training, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) Course and Officer Candidate School.

When not instructing, Ronda completed his Advanced NCO Course and Senior NCO Course, in addition to numerous other courses.

Ronda says he is a strong advocate of training and professional development for New York Guard volunteers.

Command Sgt. Maj. Vera now moves on to a new position with the New York Guard Headquarters, based at Camp Smith, N.Y., as the operations sergeant major.

Vera served in the U.S. Army from 1988 to 1993 and enlisted in the New York Guard in 2004. He previously served as a member of the New York Guard's Chemical, Biological, Radiogical and Nuclear incident response force until 2013.

Following his own completion of various NCO roles, duties, and responsibilities, Vera served as an instructor at various professional development courses such as the Primary Development Course, the Basic NCO Course, the Advanced NCO Course and the Sergeant Major's Course.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Vera demonstrated outstanding service, leadership, and loyalty, and exceptional dedication to our Soldiers for more than seven years," Tsin said. "We will miss him in the 88th Area Command. However, thankfully, we have not lost him, as he continues to serve and make a positive difference in his new role as the New York Guard operations sergeant major."

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