Latham, New York (09/30/2026) — New York Army National Guard Major General Michel Natali, a Mechanicville resident, will retire on October 2 after 39 years of service in the Army and Army National Guard.

Members of the press are invited to cover his retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.

WHO: Major General Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army; Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York and the presiding officer for the ceremony.

WHAT: A general officer retirement ceremony marking the end of a 39- year career, which included service in Germany, Somalia, Haiti and Iraq. Natali also spent six months serving as an advisor to Vice Admiral Robert Auchterlonie, Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command. Natali will be replaced by Brig. Gen. Patrick Clare.

WHEN: 2 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2026.

WHERE: New York National Guard Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham.

Reporters wishing to cover the ceremony must contact the Division of Military and Naval Affairs at 518-786-4581 for access to this secure facility.

Coverage Opportunities:

There will be an opportunity to interview Natali and to capture visual and still imagery of the ceremony.

BACKGROUND:

Major General Michel Natali

Major General Michael Natali, a native of Watertown, received his commission in May 1987 through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. Norwich, founded in 1819, is one of the oldest military colleges in the country.

Natali joined the Military Intelligence Corps and served as a battalion intelligence officer in Mainz, Germany with the 8th Infantry Division. In 1992 he returned to the United States and joined the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York outside Watertown.

He served in a number of intelligence positions in the 10th Mountain Division to include intelligence officer for the division support command in Somalia, chief of the intelligence section for the 10th Mountain Division tactical operations center, and commander of the headquarters company of the 110th Intelligence Battalion.

While assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, Natali also deployed to Haiti and to Florida in August 1992 following Hurricane Andrew.

In December 1996 Natali transferred to the New York Army National Guard, while he also pursued a career as a member of the New York State Police.

His Army National Guard assignments include:

• Intelligence Officer of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team,
• Intelligence Officer for the 42ndInfantry Division Headquarters,
• Deputy Commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team,
• Commander of the 106th Regional Training Institute,
• Director for Intelligence and Security Joint Force Headquarters-New York,
• Commander of the 53rd Troop Command,
• Deputy Commanding General for National Guard Affairs at the United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence.

Natali deployed to Iraq as the Deputy Intelligence Officer for the 42nd Infantry Division in 2004-2005.

His active-duty Guardsman assignments include:

• Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence for the 42nd Infantry Division,
• Commander of the New York National Guard Counter Drug Task Force,
• Dual Status Commander-responsible for integrating both federal and National Guard forces, during the COVID 19 response.

As Assistant Adjutant General, Army he has overseen the daily operations of the New York Army National Guard on behalf of Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York.

Natali is a graduate of a number of military intelligence schools as well as the Command and General Staff College, the United States Army War College and the Military Intelligence and Infantry pre-command courses.

He also attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government General/Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Norwich University, and a master's in public administration from Marist College.

Natali retired from the New York State Police as an investigator after a 20-year law enforcement career. During that time, he served at the New York State Intelligence Center, the New York State Capital and in New York City following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Army Parachutist badge.

Natali and his wife Barbara have three sons and two daughters.