Major Charles Sanders, a Greenport resident, named commander of National Guard's 53rd Troop Command's Headquarters Detachment

Camp Smith Training Site, New York (10/27/2020) — New York Army National Guard Major Charles Sanders, a Greenport resident and Afghan War veteran, took command of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the 53rd Troop Command during a ceremony conducted at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

The 53rd Troop Command is one of the New York National Guard's two general officer commands and is responsible for overseeing combat service support and combat support units across New York. The Headquarters Detachment includes the Soldiers who provide the commands staff and administrative support.

Sanders replaced Capt. Paul Ramirez in the position. He was also promoted from captain to major during the ceremony.

In civilian life Sanders is a licensed real estate agent who is currently serving as the Southold Town Assessor.

Col. Isabel Smith, the chief of staff of the 53rd Troop Command, praised Sanders in her remarks.

He is a motivated officer and the headquarters detachment will thrive under his leadership, Smith said.

"I look forward to contributing to the Headquarters Detachment team and fulfilling our training requirements in order to be preparing for any and all missions that come our way," Sanders said.

Sanders began his military career by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1991 until 1998. After a ten-year break in service he joined the New York Army National Guard in 2008 and was commissioned through the Army Accelerated Officer Candidate School at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

Commissioned as an infantry officer, he served as a platoon leader in the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment and deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 with the Vermont Army National Guard's 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry where he served as battle captain in the squadron command post.

After serving as the executive officer of the New York Army National Guard's Company C, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, he volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan for a second time in 2012 and served as a battle captain for the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion of the New York Army National Guard.

After returning from Afghanistan he was assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division, based in Troy, and deployed with a division element to Guantanamo Bay in 2015 where he served as future operations officer.

He most recently served on active duty as part of New York's pandemic response operations with the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Air Assault Badge and the Paratrooper Badge.

Sanders holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Taylor University and has a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from the State University of New York, Stony Brook; and a Master of Arts in United States History from Norwich University

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