Joel Abelove, Rensselaer resident and National Guard veteran of Afghanistan deployment, retires after 27 years of service

by Col. Richard Goldenberg, New York Army National Guard

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.

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