Doug Baker, a Porters Corner resident, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Army National Guard
LATHAM, N.Y. (09/04/2019) — Doug Baker, a Porters Corners resident and a veteran of two deployments to Iraq, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Army National Guard during an August 20 ceremony at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham.
Baker enlisted in the Active Army in 1984 and served at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a supply specialist. In 1986 he transferred to the New York Army National Guard and then joined the Army Reserve.
After a break in service from 1992 to 1996, Baker enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in 2000 and was commissioned as an Ordnance Officer.
In September 2001, Baker transferred to the New York Army National Guard and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry in Schenectady and served as the support platoon leader and battalion supply officer.
In 2005 the 105th Infantry was reorganized as the 501st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion and Baker served as the headquarters detachment commander and battalion personnel office.
In graduated from explosive ordnance disposal school in 2007.
Baker has also served in the 42nd Infantry Division, and the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
In 2010-2011 he served in Iraq as the executive officer of the 501st. Upon returning from Iraq he was assigned to the joint operations section of New York National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters. He also served as the Officer in Charge of the Citizen Preparedness Team working on State Active Duty.
In January 2018, he mobilized with the 10th Mountain Division for deployment to Iraq from March of 2018 through August of 2018. Upon his redeployment, he returned as to the 501st and took command of the battalion in June 2019.
Baker holds a Bachelor's of Science in Organizational Management from Nyack College and an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from Hudson Valley Community College.
His military education includes Army Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, Officer Candidate School., Ordnance Officer Basic Course, Ordnance Captains Career Course, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course and Command and General Staff College, ILE- Common Core.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
Bake has two sons, Benjamin and Sam, a daughter Rachel and stepsons Hayden and Bailey and lives in Porters Corners with his wife Pam.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Lt. Colonel Doug Baker is congratulated on his promotion by his father, World War II Army Air Forces veteran Almer B. Baker, during change of command ceremonies at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on August 20, 2019, as one of Baker's son's looks on.
New York National Guard
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