New York Naval Militia Rear Admiral Timothy Zakriski, a Glenville resident, retires after 39 years of service
Latham, NY (10/21/2019) — New York Naval Militia Rear Admiral Timothy Zakriski, a Glenville resident, turned over command of the 2,700- member force to Rear Admiral Warren Smith, a Rhinebeck resident during change of command ceremonies on Friday, October, 18, at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham.
The New York Naval Militia is comprised mainly of members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserve who also volunteer to serve on New York state missions when called.
The Naval Militia also operates a fleet of patrol boats on New York's waterways that can respond when necessary.
Zakriski, who took command of the Naval Militia in June 2018, turned over the in a traditional naval ceremony that included bosun pipe calls, the ringing of bells, and remarks by the incoming and outgoing commanders as well as Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York.
Zakriski is retiring after 39 years of military service in the Marine Corps Reserve, the Navy Reserve and the New York Naval Militia.
He was presented with the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal to mark his service.
Shields praised Zakriski for his "dedicated and faithful service to our nation and New York."
"We cannot thank him enough for all he has done to lead the Naval Militia," Shields added.
In his remarks, Shields noted that members of the Naval Militia have "become an indispensable force for our nation and the citizens of our state in times of crisis."
Zakriski said it had been rewarding to see the New York Naval Militia become more integrated into emergency response alongside the New York Army and Air National Guard.
"Regardless of uniform it was one team-one mission," Zakriski said.
Zakriski thanked his family for their support while he served.
Being decisive is an important trait in a military leader, but it is also important to lead with compassion, Zakriski told the audience.
The New York Naval Militia traces its history back to 1889 before there was a Navy Reserve. Naval Militia members served as a naval National Guard and saw service in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II and Korea.
After the Korean War state law was changed so that the bulk of Naval Militia members were also members of the Navy or Marine Corps Reserves. In 1998, members of the Coast Guard Reserve were also allowed to affiliate with the Naval Militia.
Naval Militia members responded to Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the Buffalo snowstorm in 2014, Lake Ontario flooding in 2017 & 2019 and snow storms in the Hudson Valley in 2018.
The Naval Militia also operates a fleet of ten patrol boats which respond to state emergencies, augmenting law enforcement agencies and supporting the U.S. Coast Guard.
Zakriski is a native of Glenville, NY, a graduate of Niskayuna High School and Hudson Valley Community College. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Union College.
After serving in the Marine Corps Reserve, Zakriski was commissioned an ensign, Civil Engineer Corps, and Navy Reserve in 1982.
Zakriski joined the New York Naval Militia in 1980. As a member of the Navy reserve and a Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer, Zakriski first served in an advisory capacity to the Naval Militia Commander on Naval Construction Force (Navy Seabees) capabilities.
Subsequently he was appointed as commander of Naval Militia Northern Command and then in 2016, Zakriski was appointed Naval Militia deputy commander.
He participated in New York Naval Militia response to Hurricanes Irene, Lee, and Tropical Storm Sandy, during which 300 Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reserve personnel were mobilized for service as militiamen, throughout the affected areas of the state
Media Attachments
Rear Admiral Timothy Zakriski, the outgoing commander of the New York Naval Militia salutes as he prepares to turn over command of the 2,700-member force during a change of command ceremony held at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. Rear Admiral Warren Smith replaced Rear Admiral Timothy Zakriski who is retiring after 39-years of service in the Marine Corps Reserve, the Navy Reserve, and the New York Naval Militia. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Jean Marie Kratzer)
Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York (right) presents the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal to Rear Admiral Timothy Zakriski, the formercommander of the New York Naval Militia during a change of command ceremony held at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. Rear Admiral Warren Smith replaced Rear Admiral Timothy Zakriski who is retiring after 39-years of service in the Marine Corps Reserve, the Navy Reserve, and the New York Naval Militia. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Jean Marie Kratzer)
New York National Guard
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