Lt. Col. Joseph Chodnicki, a Delanson resident and Afghan War Veteran, retires from New York Army National Guard after 33 Years of service
Latham, NY (05/31/2019) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joseph Chodnicki, a Delanson resident and Afghan War veteran, retired after 33 years of military service during a May 31, 2019 retirement ceremony at New York National Guard Headquarters.
Chodnicki, who has served in both the Active Army and Army National Guard as an enlisted Soldier and an officer, was praised for his dedication to duty by Major General Raymond Shields, the Adjutant General of New York.
"You've always been a good team player." Shields told Chodnicki.
Shields presented Chodnicki with the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal to mark his service.
Chodnicki enlisted in the Army in 1986. While on active duty he served as an Airborne Rifle Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Chodnicki joined the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, of the New York Army National Guard in 1991, where he served as Delta Company Commander.
After leaving the 69th Infantry, he served in a number of key leadership and staff positions to include New York Army National Guard Force Integration Readiness Officer, Deputy State Training Officer, Mobilization Readiness Division Chief, Current Operations Deputy Branch Chief, Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch Chief, and Future Operations Branch Chief. He also served as the deputy operations officer for the New York Army National Guard's 53rd Troop Command
In 2007, he deployed to Afghanistan as a member of an Afghan National Army Embedded Training Team. Chodnicki was wounded during that deployment and received the Purple Heart.
He is a graduate of the Army Primary Leadership Development Course; the Army Airborne School, the Army Air Assault School, the Army Ranger School, the Army Jungle Warfare School, the Army Jumpmaster School, the Infantry Officer Basic Officer Course, the Combined Arms Services and Staff School, and the Army Command and General Staff College.
His awards and decorations include the Broze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Humanitarian Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army and Army Reserve Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantry and Combat Infantry Badges, and the Ranger Tab.
Chodnicki holds a Bachelors of Arts in History from the State University at New Paltz. He is engaged to Kara Philips.
Media Attachments
Maj. Gen. Ray Shields presents New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joseph Chodnicki with the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal to mark his service during his retirement ceremony in Latham, N.Y. May 31.
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- East Moriches resident retires from Air National Guard after 32 years of service
- NY National Guard chaplain Timothy Miller, a Colonie resident, represents U.S. at South African conference
- New 42nd Infantry Division Commander is promoted to major general in the New York Army National Guard
- Palm Harbor resident Jack James is promoted to major general in the New York Army National Guard
- NY Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith takes command of 53rd Troop Command
- Carl Rosenkranz, a Poestenkill resident, is promoted to Major in New York Army National Guard
- NY Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing begins 37th year of support Antarctic Science
- Army Guard command headquartered at Camp Smith gets new commander on Saturday, October 19
- Darien Center resident Mike Bank, promoted to two-star general during ceremony on board C-17 at Stewart Air Guard Base on Tuesday, October 8
- NY Air Guard commander gets two-star rank during ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base