NY Army National Guard Colonel Patrick Macklin, Wantagh resident, retires after 30-year military career

Latham, NY (09/15/2021) — Army National Guard Col. Patrick Macklin, an Iraq War veteran with more than 30 years of military service, retired from service during a ceremony held at the National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Latham, N.Y., on September 11, 2021.

Macklin, a Wantagh, N.Y. resident and former New York City Police Officer, said the date of the retirement ceremony was a meaningful one in his remarks to family and friends at the ceremony.

"Why 9/11? Well, why not," Macklin said. "All our lives changes on that day and I switched from NYPD Blue to Army Green."

Army Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the Assistant Adjutant General for New York, Army Guard, presented Macklin with the Army Legion of Merit, the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, and Long & Faithful Service Award during the ceremony.

"We are all in this room from the events of September 11," Natali said. "And Pat Macklin was a big part of that response."

"Thank you for everything you've done for our Soldiers, Pat," Natali said. "We all like to think that our heart is in the right place for what we do for Soldiers, but you definitely do."

Macklin was commissioned through the New York National Guard Empire State Military Academy in 1991.

Following initial infantry officer training, he spent more than a decade with the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, based in New York City.

Macklin led Soldiers in a variety of command and staff positions, including rifle platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, air defense platoon leader, company executive officer, rifle company commander, battalion logistics officer and finally as the battalion operations officer.

He deployed in 2004 after assignment to the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters staff, serving as the deputy operations officer for the division tactical command post in Tikrit, Iraq, as part of Task Force Liberty.

He continued his career in the division headquarters for a decade, serving as the officer in charge of a division tactical command post, assistant chief of staff for plans and led the division's domestic all-hazards response team and National Guard Bureau's domestic coordination cell to prepare the National Guard for civil support operations in times of disaster.

Macklin was selected for command of the 53rd Digital Liaison Detachment, based in New York City, in 2016, leading an element of senior officers and noncommissioned officers to provide liaison between U.S. and joint or multinational partners.

In 2019, Macklin assumed responsibilities as the Deputy Division Chief for the National Guard Bureau's Weapons of Mass Destruction response division, leading his element through its response and support for the National Guard through the COVID-19 response. In 2021, he became acting division chief for the element.

"What an incredible journey," Macklin said. "I've had a lot of friends and leaders and I'm thankful for all of them. It's just been a great ride."

Macklin is a graduate of the Command and Staff General College and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the New York Institute of Technology.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4rd award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (3rd award) and the Army Meritorious Unit Award.

His New York State awards includes the Conspicuous Service Cross, Conspicuities Service Medal, Military Commendation Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Service Ribbon, Defense of Liberty Service Medal with World Trade Center Device, Humane Service Medal with Silver Shield and the Long and Faithful Service Award.

Macklin is married to his wife Angela, and they have three sons, Gerard, John Patrick and Michael Leo.

"Angela, you let me chase my dreams, you are my rock," he said in his remarks.

"To my fellow Soldiers, you are the best America has to offer. Remember to live the Army Values and never compromise those values."

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