Clifton Park resident Nakia Dukes promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the New York Army National Guard

Latham, NY (05/15/2017) —

LATHAM, N.Y. - A New York Army National Guard Soldier who began his military career as an enlisted Marine has achieved a higher warrant-officer rank.

Nakia Dukes, of Clifton Park, N.Y., was promoted to the rank of chief warrant officer 3 in the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters here on May 10.

Dukes is assigned to 42nd Infantry Division's Intelligence and Sustainment Company, and works full-time as the state food-service advisor in the Joint Force Headquarters' logistics directorate.

Dukes joined the Marines on June, 13, 1994 as a food-service specialist. During basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was meritoriously promoted to private first class while serving as class squad leader.

He was initially assigned to Marine Barracks, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After serving a year in Cuba, Dukes was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, California. While there he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and represented the Marine Corps Air Station in a prestigious regional food service competition.

Dukes won the competition and earned the coveted Chef of the Quarter Award. He also served an eight-month tour aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation, in support of a Western Pacific unit-deployment program.

In 2002 Dukes transferred to the California Army National Guard. He deployed to Salt Lake City, Utah and participated in Operation Noble Eagle III -- a homeland defense mission -- from May 2003 to December 2003.

Dukes then transferred to the New York Army National Guard, and was assigned to Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation as a mess-section shift leader. In March 2010, Dukes attended Warrant Officer Basic Course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and was commissioned as warrant officer 1 the following May.

He was then assigned to 53rd Troop Command as the food-service technician, where he provided valuable subject-matter expert guidance during Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy. His guidance resulted in successful food-service operations within the Joint Task Forces.

In June, 2012 Dukes was promoted to the rank of chief warrant officer 2.

Dukes holds an associate degree in Applied Science, with a concentration in Culinary Arts, from Central Texas College.

He's attending Johnson and Wales University, and is scheduled to graduate May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, with a concentration in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management.

Dukes awards include: the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/ "M" Device), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Sea Service Ribbon, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Meritorious Commendation Award, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Additionally, Dukes has been awarded two state decorations.

Dukes lives in Clifton Park with his wife Antionette and his daughters Sydnee and Tamryn.

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