NY Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Paul Mulligan, an East Greenbush resident, retires after more than 40 years of service
Latham, NY (01/31/2022) — New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Paul Mulligan, an East Greenbush resident and Iraq War veteran, retired after more than 40 years of military service during a ceremony at New York National Guard Headquarters on January 31.
Mulligan, who enlisted in the Active Army in June 1981, and served in what was then West Germany, joined the New York Army National Guard in 1985.
During his career, Mulligan served as a radio teletype operator, an anti-armor infantryman and a chemical operations specialists, as well as an operations noncommissioned officer at levels from battalion to division.
He also served in support of the New York National Guard response to the attacks for Sept. 11, 2001.
He deployed to Iraq with the 42nd Infantry Division in 2005 and spent a total of 21 months on federal active duty both before, during and after the deployment. He served as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the division civil affairs section during that deployment.
His most recent assignment was to the New York Army National Guard operations and training office where he was responsible for overseeing annual training, drill weekend planning and resource management.
For many years he was responsible for scheduling National Guard Soldiers for their required military schools.
Col. Sean Flynn, the director of operations and training, praised Mulligan for his selfless service over the years, and making sure that Soldiers always got the training and schools they needed.
In his remarks, Mulligan thanked his wife Maureen, and his daughters MacKenzie, age 27, and Lindsay, 25, for their support over the years.
He also thanked those he served with.
"It has been my honor to serve the country, and to serve the state of New York," he said. "It has been an honor to serve with the people I served with."
"The uniforms have changed. The equipment has changed. But the mission hasn't changed. We are here to defend the Constitution of the United States," Mulligan said.
During his retirement ceremony, Mulligan was presented the Meritorious Service Medal.
His other awards include the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the New York State Long and Faithful Service Award, the New York State Defense of Liberty Medal, and the New York State Humane Service Medal.
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New York Army National Guard Sg.t 1st Class Paul Mulligan, an East Greenbush resident and Iraq War veteran, speaks during his January 31, 2022 retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Ryan Campbell.
New York National Guard
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