Joel Abelove, Rensselaer resident and National Guard veteran of Afghanistan deployment, retires after 27 years of service
LATHAM, N.Y. (08/04/2018) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joel Abelove from Rensselaer, N.Y. retired from military service August 4, 2018 in a ceremony held at the National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Latham, N.Y.
Abelove received the Army's Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions as a Judge Advocate officer.
Originally from Utica, N.Y., Abelove began his military career as an enlisted Military Police Soldier in 1991. After completing his enlisted obligations with the New York National Guard in 1995 he attended Albany Law School and was commissioned in 1998 as a Judge Advocate General Officer.
Abelove deployed with 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2008 to Kabul, Afghanistan as part of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII as a trial counsel.
He would go on to serve as brigade staff judge advocate for the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, as a judge advocate in the 42nd Infantry Division and Joint Force Headquarters, as the trial defense services chief and as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate in the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters.
His most recent assignment was Staff Judge Advocate for the 53rd Troop Command Headquarters.
His awards include the Joint Service Medal, the NATO medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and the Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon.
He was joined at the ceremony by his wife Jennifer and family. Jennifer Abelove received flowers on behalf of the command and was presented the Army Retired Spouse lapel pin.
In his civilian career, Abelove is the district attorney in Rensselaer County, N.Y.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Commander Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields presents the Meritorious Service Medal to Lt. Col. Joel Abelove during Abelove's retirement ceremony in Latham, N.Y. August 4, 2018. Abelove retired after 27 years of military service. Abelove served as a Judge Advocate for the National Guard, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2008.
New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joel Abelove addresses the audience following his retirement ceremony in Latham, N.Y. August 4, 2018. Abelove retired after 27 years of military service. Abelove served as a Judge Advocate for the National Guard, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2008.
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- The Acra Senior Center in Cairo is hosting free emergency preparedness training at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 21.
- LIving Water World Wide Ministries is hosting free emergency preparedness training at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 22.
- Lewis County Officer for the Aging is hosting free emergency preparedness training at 5 p.m. on Thursday, My 21
- Phelps Community Center hosting free emergency preparedness training at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20
- NY Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing rated tops in environmental restoration efforts by Air National Guard
- Niskayuna Resident Jason Lefton Promoted to One-Star General in the New York Army National Guard
- NY Army Guard Col. Jason Lefton, a Niskayuna resident, promoted to one-star general during May 1 ceremony at NY National Guard headquarters
- NY National Guard Honor Guard welcomes remains of World War II POW home to Capital Region on May 1
- NY Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith, ends 40-year military career during April 24 retirement ceremony
- NY Army One-Star General and Lorain Native Isabel Rivera Smith, Retires after 40 Plus Years of Military Service