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.

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