NY National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey, a Cohoes resident, marks the end of 36 years of military service
Latham, NY (02/28/2017) — New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey, a Cohoes resident and vice president and senior financial advisor for Merrill Lynch in Albany, marked the end of his 36 year military career during a retirement dinner Saturday night, Feb. 25.
Swezey, who graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, served in the Active Army, the Army Reserve and the New York Army National Guard. He was the commanding general of the 4000-member 53rd Troop Command from 2007 to last December. Prior to that he had served as the commander of the New York Army National Guard and deputy commander of Joint Forces Headquarters- New York.
In 2012 Swezey led the New York National Guard's response to Hurricane Sandy as the dual status commander for New York. This allowed him to command both National Guard and federal military forces operating within New York City under the direction of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the president.
Swezey was commissioned as an Aviation officer upon graduation from West Point. While on active duty, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
After leaving active duty, Swezey served in a variety of command and staff positions with the 98th Division in the United States Army Reserve-including service in the 1st Battalion 389th Engineers in Schenectady, before joining the New York Army National Guard.
Swezey commanded the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation and led the unit during a deployment to Honduras. He was promoted to brigadier general (one-star) in 2004.
Swezey holds a bachelor's of science and engineering degree from West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University and a masters in strategic studies from the Army War College.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Airborne Badge and the Aviation Badge.
He and his wife Ann have two grown sons- Ensign Douglas Swezey and Lt.
Commander Matt Swezey-who are both graduates of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Douglas Swezey is currently enrolled in explosive ordnance disposal school and Matt Swezey is chief engineer on the U.S.S. Alaska, a ballistic missile submarine.
Ann Swezey is nurse practitioner at Upstate Gastroenterology in Troy.
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New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey and his wife Ann raise their glasses in a toast during his retirement dinner on Feb. 25 at the Desmond Hotel. Swezey retired after 36 years in the Active Army, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.