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Cornwall resident, and West Point graduate, Matt Kilgore promoted to colonel in the New York Army National Guard

Kilgore, who serves as chief of staff for the 53rd Troop Command, is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

West Point, New York (07/28/2025) — Cornwall resident Matt Kilgore was promoted to the rank of colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a July 25 ceremony at the Hotel Thayer at West Point.

Kilgore, who graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2002, currently serves as the chief of staff for the New York National Guard's 53rd Troop Command, headquartered at Camp Smith Training Site.

In his role, Kilgore oversees the day-to-day activities of command located across New York which have a strength of about 5,000 Soldiers, said Major General Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army.

"Keeping that organization ready; it's subordinate units ready; it's individual soldiers ready, is probably one of our bigger responsibilities here in a state," Natali said.

"Matt's the guy for the job," he added.

In his remarks, Kilgore thanked those who helped him during his career and especially his wife Dawn for her support during 23 years of marriage. He also thanked his son Ryan and daughter Josie.

"My true blessings are the people that I see out here in front of me today. Those that have supported me, mentored me, trained, fought, and worked alongside me," Kilgore said.

Kilgore was commissioned as an infantry office and served as a rifle platoon leader, anti-tank platoon leader and company executive office in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and as a special technical operations and information warfare office with the 1st Cavalry Division. In 2008 he left the Active Army and joined the New York Army National Guard.

In 2009 Kilgore joined the Active Guard and Reserve program and has served as a full-time Army National Guard officer since then.

He served as an executive officer for the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, and as the commandeer of A Company of the New York Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion.

He's commanded the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, and served as the operations officer for the 53rd Troop Command. He's also served as operations officer for the New York Army National Guard and for the New York National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters.

He is a veteran of the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Kilgore is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the Reserve Component National Security Course and the Army War College.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, the NATO Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

Media Attachments

New York Army National Guard Col. Matt Kilgore has his new rank pinned on by his children Ryan and Josie, during his promotion ceremony at the Hotel Thayer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York on July 25, 2025. Kilgore serves as the Chief of Staff of the New York National Guard's 53rd Troop Command. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Rothwyn)

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