Cohoes resident Mark Frank promoted to colonel in the New York Army National Guard

Latham, NY (05/01/2023) — Cohoes resident Mark Frank was promoted to the rank of colonel in the New York Army National Guard during an April 27, 2023, ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.

Frank, who joined the Army in 2000 and is a veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, currently serves as the personnel officer for the New York Army National Guard.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, praised Frank for his service over the years.

As the New York Army National Guard's personnel office, Frank has played a key role in policies which keep Soldiers in the Guard, Shields said.

Frank also manages the joint personnel system which includes personnel from the Air Guard, as well as the Army Guard, and the state's two defense forces, when the National Guard responds to state emergencies, Shields pointed out.

In his remarks, Frank thanked his family for their support during his military career, and praised the Soldiers who work for him.

"I was taught that to be successful, you must surround yourself with talented, hardworking, and honest people, "he said.

"Success is not about you, it's really about the entire team," Frank added.

Frank was commissioned as an Army officer through the St. Bonaventure University Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 2000. He served as an aviation officer in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and deployed to Afghanistan and then Iraq.

He transferred to the New York Army National Guard in 2007 and has served as a full-time National Guard officer.

His assignments have included platoon leader, company commander, battalion and division personnel officer, battalion commander and executive officer to the adjutant general of New York.

Frank is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration from Webster College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from St. Bonaventure University, and a master's in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the aviator badge, the parachutist badge, and the air assault badge.

He is marred to Kristin Wheeler, and they have four children: Jacob, Clare, Maria, and Lucy.

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