New York Army Guard Major General Michel Natali, a Mechanicville resident, retires after almost 40 years of service
Natali, an Iraq War veteran has served as assistant adjutant general, Army since 2018
Latham, New York (10/02/2026) — New York Army National Guard Major General Michel Natali, a Mechanicville resident, ended his almost 40-year Army career on Friday, Oct.2 during a ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.
Natali, a veteran of the Iraq War, and a 10th Mountain Division deployment to Somalia in 1992/93,has served as the assistant adjutant general, Army for the New York National Guard since 2018.
In that role, Natali was responsible for the day-to-day operations of New York's Army Guard.
In his civilian career, Natali, a Watertown native, was a member of the New York State Police. He became an investigator and served at the New York State Intelligence Center. He retired after 20 years as a trooper with the rank of sergeant in 2018.
Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, presided over the ceremony and praised Natali as an excellent officer, who cares about Soldiers.
"Mike's huge success cannot be overstated," Shields said. " He has turned the New York Army National Guard into a people focused organization."
When Natali took on his role in 2018, there were 10,155 Soldiers in the force, Shields said. Today there are 12,015 members of the New York Army National Guard. Natali played an important role in this recruiting success, he said.
"You have left an enduring mark on our organization," Shields said.
In his remarks, Natali thanked his family-- especially his wife Barbara Meyers-and his fellow Soldiers for their support over the years.
"I am really honored and humbled that many of you traveled across the country, and across the continent to be with us today at this event," he said.
Natali's ceremony was attended by current and retire general officers, currently serving Army National Guard Soldiers, and retired Soldiers Natali had served alongside.
"Everybody in this room today; you all had an impact on me," Natali added.
Natali noted that he's been wearing a uniform since he signed a Reserve Officers Training Corps contract when he was 18. It has been a great career, he said.
"I got to serve all over the country, and all over the world, with some of the greatest people you would ever hope to meet," Natali said.
He's always been proud to be a Soldier, Natali said, but he is even prouder to be a National Guardsman.
"Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard. It has been an absolute honor to serve with you," he said.
Natali was also recognized by Canadian Army Lt. General Darcy Molstad, the commander officer of the Canadian Joint Forces Command. In 2023, Natali spent six months serving as an advisor to the commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command in Ottawa.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven James also recognized Natali during the ceremony.
Natali, grew up in Watertown and graduated from Immaculate Heart High School in 1983. His parents, Franco and Giuseppa Natali, still live in Watertown.
Natali attended Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, a military school which commissions students through the Reserve Officer Training Program. He was commissioned in the Military Intelligence Corps and served with the 8th Infantry Division in Germany from May 1988 to November of 1992.
In December of 1992 he was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, just outside Watertown and deployed to Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope through February of 1993.
While assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, Natali also deployed to Haiti and to Florida in August 1992 following Hurricane Andrew.
In October of 1996 Natali left the Active Army and joined the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
In 2004 Natali was assigned as the deputy chief of staff for intelligence for the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division. He deployed to Iraq with the division in 2005 and held that job until January of 2006.
As a traditional National Guard Soldier Natali served in a variety of positions to include:
- Intelligence Officer of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team,
- Intelligence Officer for the 42nd Infantry 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.
As a full-time Guard officer Natali served as the commander of the New York National Guard Counter Drug Task Force. This team works with community groups to reduce the demand for drugs and with law enforcement to enforce drug laws.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Natali served as the Dual Status Commander for New York. He commanded both federal and National Guard troops operating within 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 holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Norwich University, and a master's in public administration from Marist College.
He is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government General/Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar.
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. He has been nominated for the Defense Superior Service Medal.
Natali and his wife Barbara have three sons and two daughters. He plans on relocating to Arizona where he and his wife have a home.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Major General Michel Natali, right, furls his two-star general's flag assisted by Command Sgt. Major Corey Cush, left, and Command Sgt. Major Leylan Jones, foreground, during Natali's retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York, on October 2, 2026. A general officer's flag accompanies him or her to official functions. Furling it symbolizes the end of a career. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)
New York Army National Guard Major General Michel Natali, right, accepts his furled and cased two-star general's flag assisted from Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, during Natali's retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York, on October 2, 2026. A general officer's flag accompanies him or her to official functions. Furling it symbolizes the end of a career. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)
New York Army National Guard Major General Michel Natali, right, accepts the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal from Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, during Natali's retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on October 2, 2026. Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army, since 2018, is retiring after almost 40 years of service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)
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