Glenmont resident Luis Garcia promoted to Lt. Col. in the New York Army National Guard
Latham, NY (02/06/2017) — Luis Garcia, a Glenmont resident, has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Army National Guard.
Garcia is a full-time National Guard officer who serves as deputy state surgeon for the New York Army National Guard’s Medical Command. He was promoted during a ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters on Friday, Feb. 3.
Garcia enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1987 and was trained as a medic. He received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1995 as Medical Service Corps Officer.
After becoming qualified as a physician’s assistant he joined the New Jersey National Guard’s 250th Forward Support Battalion.
In 2009 Garcia joined the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion 69th Infantry as the battalion physician’s assistant. He accepted a full-time position as the physician’s assistant for the 24th Civil Support Team – a unit trained to identify assist civilian first responders by identifying the presence of chemical, biological, or radiological materials—at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn in 2011.
Since 2015 he has served as deputy state surgeon for the New York Army National Guard, working from an office at the Watervliet Arsenal.
He is currently enrolled in the Army’s flight surgeon school program.
Garcia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from Hunter College of the City University of New York. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Long Island University and a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College Of Medicine.
As a civilian, Garcia worked as a Clinical Registered Dietitian for over four years. He also held numerous positions as a physician’s assistant for over 13 years.
Those positions include emergency medicine physician assistant at Queens General Hospital and Surgical Physician Assistant at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.
Prior to becoming a full-time Army National Guard officer he worked as clinical coordinator for the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University. While at Cornell, his duties included teaching various areas of Medicine to include emergency medicine, fundamentals of primary care, principles of physical examination and clinical medicine.
Garcia’s awards and decorations include: the National Defense Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, and Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
He and his wife Nelly live in Glenmont with three daughters, Julia and twins Sophia and Vienna.
Garcia is an avid runner and successfully completed two New York City Marathons.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Luis Garcia and his family following his promotion on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017.
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- Two Airman assigned to NY Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing brave cold during Minnesota training course
- Clifton Park Airman is named New York Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year
- NY Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing moves 1,086 passengers and millions of pounds of supplies across Antarctica during 2025-26 mission season
- NY National Guard's "Fighting 69th" Infantry leads New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade for the 175th Time
- NY Air Guard Senior Master Sgt. John McGhee, a Bay Shore resident, wins New York Air Guard statewide honor
- NY Air National Guard Col. Andrew J. Wineberger, a Southold resident, Retires from 106th Rescue Wing After 39 Years of Service
- Officer assigned to Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division dies of undetermined causes in a non-combat incident while serving in Kuwait
- NY National Guard announces the death of Major Sorffly Davius of non-combat causes while serving in Kuwait
- NY Army Guard officer Sean Flynn, a Delmar resident, plays key role in NATO Joint Force Command headquarters
- New York State Military Museum director retires after 22 years of service