NY Army Guard Col. Jason Lefton, a Niskayuna resident, promoted to one-star general during May 1 ceremony at NY National Guard headquarters

Media Advisory

Latham, NY (04/30/2026) — New York Army National Guard Colonel Jason Lefton, a Niskayuna resident and Iraq War veteran, will be promoted to the one-star general rank of brigadier general during a ceremony Friday, April 24, at Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham, New York.

Lefton serves as the commander of the 5,100-member New York Army National Guard, 53rd Troop Command.

Members of the press are invited to cover the promotion ceremony.

WHO: Col. Jason Lefton , commander of the New York Army National Guard's 53rd Troop Command, Major General Raymond Shields, the Adjutant General of New York and the presiding officer, and men and women of the New York National Guard.

WHAT: Promotion of Lefton from colonel to brigadier general (one-star) during a ceremony at Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters. As a general officer in the New York National Guard, Lefton's promotion had to be approved at the state level by the New York State Senate and by the U.S. Senate at the federal level.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2026

WHERE: Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, New York

Coverage Opportunities:

Members of the press can interview Lefton and Shields. Video and still imagery opportunities include the promotion ceremony and the troops in formation.

Members of the press must call the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Public Affairs Office at 518-786-4581 for access to this secure military facility.

BACKGROUND

Col. Jason Lefton

Col Jason Lefton, assumed command of the 5,100 Soldiers of the 53rd Troop Command on, January 11, 2026 at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Lefton, who previously commanded the New York Army Guard's 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade and served as State Army Aviation Officer, replaced Brig. Gen. Isabel Smith who retired after 37 years of service.

The 53rd Troop Command is one of the New York Army National Guard's two general officer commands, and has units located across the state.

Lefton has served in numerous leadership and staff positions in his 25-year career as an officer in the Army National Guard since earning his commission from the Marion Military Institute in 1996.

Lefton serves as a traditional part-time Guard officer. He works full-time for the New York State Office of General Services.

Lefton joined Army Aviation in November of 2000 and became a UH-60 pilot in the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Regiment in January of 2001.

He deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of the Stabilization Force 12 as a liaison officer for Multinational Division Southeast and the Task Force Battle Captain and deployed as a staff officer to Iraq.

Lefton has served as a company commander, battalion executive officer, brigade executive officer, and battalion commander.

During his time as a Battalion Commander for the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Regiment, Lefton led the Battalion to Puerto Rico in response to Hurricane Irma and Maria.

He holds a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

He completed his bachelor's degree in Rhetoric and Communications at the State University of New York.

Lefton has civilian work experience as a fully registered representative in the financial services industry. He holds a commercial helicopter pilot license and single engine airplane license.

Lefton's awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal , the Global Warn on Terrorism Service Medal Expeditionary Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal for service in the former Yugoslavia, the Combat Action Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

He and his wife Heather have two sons, Mack and Seth.

The 53rd Troop Command

The 53rd Troop Command is one of two general officer commands in the New York Army National Guard and has a strength of 5,074 Soldiers.

The 53rd Troop Command is headquartered at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill and has elements across New York.

The command is composed of combat service and combat service support units which include military police, engineers, explosive ordnance disposal, communications and logistics units.

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