NY Army National Guard Major Kimberly McCarty, a Monroe resident, takes command of Explosive Ordnance Disposal battalion
McCarty is a West Point graduate and veteran of the war in Afghanistan
Glenville, New York (08/12/2025) — Major Kimberly McCarty, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a Monroe resident, took command of the New York Army National Guard's 501st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) during an August 9, 2025, ceremony at the battalion's headquarters in Glenville near Schenectady.
McCarty, who is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, replaced Lt. Col. Justin Couts, as the commander of the unit.
The 501st is a headquarters unit that controls up to five explosive ordnance disposal-EOD for short-- companies. EOD Soldiers are called upon to remove improvised explosive devices or dud munitions.
The 501st commands the 1108th EOD Company of the New York Army National Guard and has a training alignment with the 387th EOD company from the Massachusetts National Guard, the 430th EOD Company based in North Carolina the 753rd EOD from West Virginia and the Puerto Rico National Guard's 1600th EOD Company.
McCarty was commissioned as an ordnance officer following her graduation from West Point in 2009.
She then attended the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School and was assigned to the 704th Ordnance Company (EOD). During 2011-2012 she deployed to Afghanistan.
After completing her active-duty commitment in 2014, McCarty, transferred to the Texas Army National Guard where she served as Division Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer for the 36th Infantry Division.
She relocated to Tacoma Washington in 2016 and transferred to the Washington Army National Guard, serving as assistant operations officer for the 741st Ordnance Battalion (EOD). She went on to serve as the headquarters detachment commander and a company commander for the battalion.
At the same time, she served as a full-time Guard officer, serving as the resource manager for the Homeland Response Force for FEMA Region X.
While serving in the Washington Army National Guard she served on the staff of the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy as the logistics support operations officer and moved to Monroe.
After finishing that assignment she was selected as logistics officer for the Special Operations Detachment-Pacific at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington and in 2022 was selected as operations officer for the 741st Ordnance Battalion.
In 2023 she relocated again to Monroe and joined the New York Army National Guard assuming the role of Deputy Commander for the 10th Mountain Division-Light Infantry (LI) Main Command Post-Operational Detachment (MCP-OD).
She is also employed in her corporate role with Gartner research and consulting company as the Director for Rules of Engagement Strategy for Public Sector and maintains military leave status.
She also serves as Deputy Commander for the Joint Task Force-Empire Shield (JTF-ES), in which she currently serves on State Active Duty.
McCarty holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY with Systems Engineering Track.
Her awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Alaska National Guard Commendation Medal, Washington National Guard Service Ribbon, Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
McCarty and her husband, Justin McCarty, have four children, Constantine, Genesis, Jubilee and Cassian, who are 10, 8, 5, and 3 years old.
Media Attachments
Major Kimberly McCarty accepts the colors of the 501st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) from Colonel Christopher Guilmette, the commander of the 153rd Troop Command (Bde) during change of command ceremonies held on August 9, 2025, at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Glenville. McCarty, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and 16 years in the Army, replaces Lt. Col. Justin Couts as the commander of the battalion, which oversees EOD companies in four states and Puerto Rico.
New York National Guard
Lt. Col. Jean Kratzer, 518-786-4581Share this Story
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