Naval Militia officers promotions held at New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, October 1
Saratoga Springs, New York (09/29/2026) — Two New York Naval Militia officers who live in Milton and New York City, respectively, will be promoted at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs on Thursday morning October 1.
The New York Naval Militia is the state's 3,200-member state naval force, which is comprised of members of the Navy, Marine and Coast Guard Reserves, and former reservists.
Members of the press are invited to cover the ceremony.
WHO: Major Michael Golden, a Milton resident and the Naval Militia's executive officer; Electronics Technician 2 David Prescott; and Rear Admiral MaryEtta Nolan, a Greenfield Center resident and the commander of the Naval Militia, who will serve as presiding officer. Capt Demetrius Recordo, a Queens resident, is also being promoted.
WHAT: Promotions to Lieutenant Colonel for Golden, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran; Warrant Officer for Prescott who served in the Navy; and Major for Recordo, a former Marine Corps Reserve officer.
WHEN: 10 p.m. October 1.
WHERE: The New York Strate Military Museum, 61 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York.
BACKGROUND:
The New York Naval Militia
The New York Naval Militia is the oldest and largest Naval Militia organization in the United States.
The Naval Militia was first organized in 1889 before there was a Navy Reserve and was envisioned as a sea-going National Guard. During the Spanish-American War, the New York Naval Militia crewed two auxiliary cruisers in support of the Navy.
Following the creation of the Navy Reserve, the Naval Militia became a state force. Ninety-five percent of Naval Militia members serve in the federal reserve forces- -the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves-- and put their federal training to work for the state of New York.
The remaining five percent of the members are retired military who continue to serve solely in the Naval Militia.
The Naval Militia also operates the Military Emergency Boat Service, a force of 11 watercraft that work with federal, local and state agencies on emergency or security missions.
MAJOR MICHAL GOLDEN
Major Michael Golden is a former Marine Corps Reserve officer who serves as the executive officer for the New York Naval Militia. He oversees the day-to-day administrative functions of the force on behalf of the commander of the New York Naval Militia.
Golden was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps in May 2009 after graduating from Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Norwich University, which is also known as the Military College of Vermont. He completed service in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2016, being assigned to 6th Communications Battalion, Brooklyn, NY, having served as a platoon commander and executive officer of Headquarters Company and completing annual training in Cameroon and Morocco.
He joined the New York Naval Militia in 2020 and served on state active duty as part of the COVID-19 response. He also served on State Active Duty in support of the deployment of New York National Guard forces response to the 2025 prison strike.
From 2014 to 2025 he has worked in the Criminal Justice field starting as a Criminal Investigator and Firearms Instructor with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and advanced to the position of Deputy Director for the New York State Department of Labor Office of Special Investigations (OSI) where he oversaw eight field offices throughout New York State in the detection and prevention of billions of dollars in Unemployment Insurance fraud.
At the end of 2025 he accepted his new position with the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Golden holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Norwich University, as well as a master's degree in criminal justice from Boston University. He graduated High School from LaSalle Institute, Troy, NY.
Michael Golden is married to Dr. Krista Golden, who is a pharmacist with Walgreens, they have between them four daughters, Kaylee, Ella, Claira, and Eva.
CAPTAIN RECORDO DEMETRIUS
Recordo Demstrius has served as a New York City police officer and fire fighter. He spent 18 years in the fire department and as a fire lieutenant he served as executive officer and then director of the Fire Department of New York's Office of Professional Development.
He joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1999 and was on active duty for four years following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He served in enlisted ranks up to first sergeant in the Marine Corps before becoming an officer.
While in the Marine Corps Reserve, he deployed to Kosovo, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the US Marine Corps Advanced Staff Academy and an infantry officer by trade.
He is a graduate of the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and holds a bachelor's degree in Fire and Emergency services and a master's degree from John Jay College in Protection Management.
He serves as the commander of the Naval Militia's Military Emergency Communications and Surveillance Command, which manages drone operations for the Naval Militia.