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Elizabeth Cummings, a Niskayuna resident, is recognized by Major General Ray Shields for service at Division of Military and Naval Affairs

Cummings was awarded the Adjutant Generals Award for her with with the New York Naval Militia

Latham, NY (10/11/2019) — Elizabeth Cummings, a Niskayuna resident and an employee of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs has been recognized for her work by Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York.

Cummings, who has worked as the office manager and education coordinator for the New York Naval Militia since 2017 received The Adjutant General's Award from Shields during a ceremony on October 10, 2019.

The award recognizes civilian employees of the agency, which oversees the New York Army and Air National Guard, as well as the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard state defense force.

The New York Naval Militia is composed of current Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reserve members who agree to serve on state active duty when called by the state of New York. They put the skills they've honed in federal military service to work for New York.Naval Militia members responded to Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the Buffalo snowstorm in 2014, Lake Ontario flooding in 2017 and snow storms in the Hudson Valley earlier this year.The Naval Militia also operates a fleet of nine patrol boats which respond to state emergencies, augment law enforcement agencies and support the U.S. Coast Guard.

Naval Militia members are eligible for state education assistance at State University of New York and City University of New York campuses and Cummings improved the process of tracking which Naval Militia members were eligible for aid.

She also helped train Naval Militia personnel in computerized systems which are used to track members during state active duty missions.

Finally, she revised the digital systems used by members enrolling in the Naval Militia.

Her "efforts, attention to detail and 'can do' attitude are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, " her citation says.

Cummings is married to Sgt. 1st Class Garrett Cummings, the readiness non-commissioned officer for the New York Army National Guard's 206th Military Police Company.

Media Attachments

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, presents Elizabeth Cummings with The Adjutant General's Award recognizing her outstanding work as an administrator for the New York Naval Militia at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters on October 10, 2019. Cummings was recognized for her work in ensuring the Naval Militia members obtain their education benefits and in streamlining Naval Militia personnel administration processes. ( NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs photo by Eric Durr)

New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Garrett Cummings pins the Adjutant General's Award on his wife Elizabeth Cummings at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters on October 10, 2019. Cummings was recognized for her work in ensuring the Naval Militia members obtain their education benefits and in streamlining Naval Militia personnel administration processes. The Adjutant General's Award recognizes the work of civilian employees of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs.( NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs photo by Eric Durr)


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Garrett
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New York National Guard

Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581

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