New York Army Guard Col. Steve Rowe, a Clifton Park resident, retires after 35 years of military service

Rowe will take on a new role at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs as state agency chief of staff

Latham, New York (05/13/2024) — New York Army National Guard Col. Steve Rowe, a Clifton Park resident, was honored during a retirement ceremony held at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham.

Rowe, whose most recent assignment was as Chief of Staff of the New York Army National Guard, was recognized for 35 years of military service.

Rowe enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1988 while attending college. He was commissioned as an armor officer in the active Army through SUNY Brockport ROTC in 1994.

During the ceremony he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal.

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, praised Rowe for his service since transferring to the New York Army National Guard in 2000.

Rowe, Shields said, played a key role, both as the commander of the newly formed New York Recruiting and Retention Battalion, and as the director of military personnel, in increasing the strength of the New York Army National Guard.

In 2016, the force stood at just over 8,500 and today, there are over 11,000 Soldiers in the New York Army National Guard and the state has been tops in recruiting and retention for the last three years.

Rowe has been focused on taking care of Soldiers and their families and growing the force, Shields said.

When he became the adjutant general, he knew that he wanted Rowe to be his Army Guard chief of staff, Shields said.

"I cannot adequately express my thanks for all that you have done," he told Rowe.

In his remarks Rowe thanked the many Soldiers and officers he's worked with over the years for helping him to be successful. He's enjoyed his military career and found that "optimism and enthusiasm is an effective force multiplier," Rowe said.

Although Rowe is retiring from the Army National Guard, he is taking on a new role as a New York state civilian employee, managing the state employees of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs for Shields as state chief of staff.

"I am going to stay on in the organization and I couldn't be happier," Rowe said.

He noted, though, that after 30 years of wearing an Army uniform to work every day, he now needs to get a new wardrobe.

Rowe also thanked his wife, his adult children, and his extended family and friends for their support over the years.

While on active duty Rowe served as a tank platoon leader, a cavalry squadron and brigade personnel officer, and the operations officer for the Buffalo Military Entrance Processing Station. He also served as an ROTC military science professor at Canisius College.

Since joining the New York Army National Guard 24 years ago, Rowe has served as a full-time officer in positions ranging from strength management to the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the New York National Guard.

He was the first commander of the New York Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion when that organization was created.

Rowe became Chief of Staff of the New York Army Guard in 2019.

He holds a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Brockport, a Master of Science in Organizational Communication and Development from Canisus College, and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Medal.

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