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Loudonville Resident Heather Ruter Retires after 28 Years of Military Service

Latham, NY (04/09/2024) — Retired New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Heather Ruter, a Loudonville resident will continue to serve Soldiers as the state equal employment manager.

Ruter retired after 28 years of service on December 31, 2023.

Ruter, was serving as the human resource warrant officer for the Troy - based 42nd Infantry Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion prior to retiring.

"The National Guard has various support mechanisms and programs available to service members, allowing them to serve their country and community," she said.

"I wanted to help people," said Ruter. "At the end of the day, my job is to help my Soldiers; no matter what happens, I know I worked my hardest, no matter the outcome.

"This is not Ruter's first foray into helping Soldiers. While on active duty, she served as an equal opportunity leader and a sexual assault victim advocate.

"I have handled all sorts of issues like discrimination complaints from service members to civilian employees," remembered Ruter. "Everyone should be afforded the opportunity in the workplace to be treated equally.

"Through her years of service, Ruter did more than just human resource work; she was also instrumental as a master fitness trainer assisting Soldiers with fitness and nutrition.

Ruter also served as a Master Fitness Trainer, she played a key role in the rollout of training for graders for the Army's Combat Fitness Training Program.

Ruter did not just assist Soldiers at the organizational level but also the individual level.

"She juggled so much being a full-time Army soldier, a mom, and being in such incredible shape," said Ruter's sister Master Sgt. Brooke Leavitt. I've always been impressed by Heather as a Soldier, but she also does a ton with her son and is a great mother."

She focuses on nutrition and fitness in her professional life and is also a professional bodybuilder.

"I am so proud of her career in the military; she is why I joined," said Leavitt. "It is a shock to see her leaving, but I know it's the perfect transition to helping Soldiers as a civilian."

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