NY Army National Guard Capt. Danielle Dias, a Wappingers Falls resident, takes command of Army Guard public affairs detachment
Dias will lead the 138th Public Affairs Detachment based at Camp Smith Training Site
Camp Smith, NY (05/22/2025) — New York Army National Guard Capt. Danielle Dias took command of the 138th Public Affairs Detachment during a ceremony held at Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor on May 18, 2025.
Dias replaces Capt. Stephanie Fernandez, who had led the small unit for the last two-and-a -half years.
The 138th Public Affairs Detachment, or PAD for short, is made up of Soldiers trained to tell the Army story with words, photographs, and video.
Col. Steven Perry, the deputy commanding officer of the 53rd Troop Command, praised the small unit of ten Soldiers for their accomplishments under Fernandez's command.
The detachment has deployed Soldiers to cover Army missions in Brazil, Chile, South Africa, and supported domestic events such as the Florida Hurricane Response and the Presidential Inauguration.
Most recently, the detachment's Soldiers documented the New York National Guard response to the correction officers' strike from February to March.
Dias said she was grateful for the opportunity to lead the 138th PAD.
"To my soldiers - I am genuinely excited and truly honored to take command and for the opportunity to lead this team," she said."I'm looking forward to serving alongside all of you," Dias said.
Dias, a Stafford, Virginia native who commissioned through Army ROTC at James Madison University, brings a diverse background to her new role, with her most recent assignment as an Air and Missile Defense Officer with the 42nd Infantry Division.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies with a concentration in Crime and Criminology; and a minor in Military Leadership.Dias deployed to the Horn of Africa with the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from the Wisconsin National Guard in 2023.
Her awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Media Attachments
NY Army National Guard Capt. Danielle Dias, a Wappingers Falls resident and the new commander of the 138th Public Affairs Detachment, New York Army National Guard, receives the detachment guidon from Col. Steven Perry, deputy commanding officer of the 53rd Troop Command, the presiding officer over the ceremonyat Camp Smith Training Site, near Peekskill, N.Y., on May 18, 2025. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sebastian Rothwyn)