NY Army National Guard Col. Jim Cahill, a Clifton Park resident, retires after 35-year military career
Cahill is a veteran of service in Iraq and Afghanistan
Latham, NY (08/04/2021) — New York Army National Guard Colonel Jim Cahill, a Clifton Park resident, was honored during retirement ceremonies held on July 30 at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.
Cahill, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 1985, most recently served as the New York Army National Guard's director of military personnel.
Cahill enlisted in the New York Army National Guard as a radio teletype operator and obtained his commission through Officer Candidate School in 1991 as an infantry officer.
He has served as an infantry platoon leader, company executive officer, company commander, brigade personnel officer, division personnel officer, and battalion commander of the 1st Battalion of the 106th Regional Training Institute.
Cahill deployed to Iraq in 2004 with the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry and served in Afghanistan in 2008 with the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters. In Afghanistan, he served as personnel officer for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, a multinational training command led by the 27th brigade.
Cahill holds a Master's in Business Administration from Excelsior College and a Bachelor of Science in Math Management from LeMoyne College.
His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon and the NATO Medal.
During his retirement ceremony he was awarded the federal Legion of Merit, for exceptional service during a distinguished career, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal.
Major General Michel Natali, the Assistant Adjutant General Army, praised Cahill for his dedicated service over a distinguished career.
He and his wife Charlie have a daughter, McKenna.