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Lt. Col. John Harder, a Nassau resident, takes command of NY Army Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion

Latham, NY (01/13/2025) — Army National Guard Lt. Col. John Harder, a Nassau resident and Iraq War veteran, took command of the New York Army New York Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion during a January 11 ceremony in Saratoga Springs.

Harder replaced Lt. Joshua Heimroth, who had led the battalion since 2021. Heimroth will now work in the New York Army National Guard's personnel office.

The 260-member recruiting battalion, which has Soldiers stationed across the state, is responsible for enlisting new Army National Guard Soldiers and helping current Soldiers continue their service.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York and the commander of the New York Army National Guard, praised Heimroth for his success in growing New York's Army Guard to over 11,300 Soldiers, 10 percent over its authorized strength.

The New York Army National Guard was rated number one in recruiting and retention over all other state Army Guards in federal fiscal year 2024.

Shields charged Harder to keep up the recruiting momentum in New York.

In his remarks, Harder said he was humbled and honored to be taking over as the commander of the recruiting battalion.

"it is not lost on me that this is the best Recruiting and Retention Battalion in the history of the Army National Guard," he said.

"That's because of all of you," he added, speaking to the Soldiers. " The last three months, we have literally broken records, and we will continue to do so together."

Harder also thanks his friends and family for their support during his military career.

Harder joined the Army National Guard in 2005 as a public affairs specialist and enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Siena College. He earned his commission in 2008 and became a member of the Adjutant Generals' Corps.

Harder served in several positions, including Active Duty operational support at the Albany Military Entrance Processing Station and the personnel officer for the 501st Ordnance Battalion. He was deployed to Iraq from 2010 to 2011 with that explosive ordnance disposal battalion.

After returning from Iraq, he became a full-time Army National Guard officer, serving in the New York Army Guard personnel office. He has also served as the 53rd Troop Command personnel officer, and personnel officer in the recruiting battalion and the 42nd Infantry Division. He has served as the personnel officer, operations officer, and deputy commander for the Recruiting and Retention Battalion.

He deployed to Kuwait with the 42nd Infantry Division in 2020. His most recent assignment was as executive officer in the Office of the Adjutant General.

Harder is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and holds a bachelor's degree from Siena College.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Recruiter Badge.

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