NY Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Heather Ruter, a Loudonville resident, retires after 27 years of service

Latham, NY (05/31/2024) — New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Heather Ruter, a Loudonville resident, was recognized for her 27 years of military service during a retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, on Thursday, May 30.

Ruter, who enlisted in the New York Army National Guard as a military police Soldier in 1996, most recently served as the State Equal Opportunity Program Manager for Joint Force Headquarters of the New York National Guard.

Major General Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army, praised Ruter as an outstanding leader who made a difference during her career.

She has played a key role in developing warrant officers for the Army National Guard over the years, Natali said.

"Her efforts have contributed a great deal to this organization," he said.

Army warrant officers are technical specialists who fall in between the non-commissioned officers and commissioned officer corps.

In her remarks, Ruter thanked her peers and the officers who mentored her during her career for their support.

She also thanked her son Landon and husband retired Staff Sgt. Zacharias Ruter for their support of her career.

Natali presented Ruter with the Legion of Merit and the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal for her service.

Ruter served in a number of military personnel and administrative assignments during her career as a full-time National Guard Soldier. She served in the Recruiting and Retention Battalion and deployed to Guantanamo Bay, as well as serving as a sexual assault response coordinator and equal opportunity manager.

A dedicated body-builder, Ruter is a graduate of the Army's Master Fitness Course as well as many other military schools.

Her other awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Army National Guard Recruiter Badge.

She will now continue to work for the National Guard as a civilian employee state equal employment manager.

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