NY National Guard Leader Retires after 33 Years

LATHAM, N.Y. (08/14/2025) — New York Army National Guard Colonel Diane Armbruster, a 33-year veteran of military service and Iraq war veteran retired from service with the presentation of the Army Legion of Merit and New York State Conspicuous Service Medal in front of family, friends and staff at the National Guard headquarters in Latham, N.Y., August 13, 2025.

Armbruster, a Cohoes, N.Y. resident, entered the Army National Guard as an enlisted signal branch Soldier in 1992 before receiving an officer's commission through the officer candidate school in 1995.

She first led Soldiers as a company commander in the 250th Signal Battalion in the New Jersey Army National Guard.

Presenting Armbruster with her retirement awards was Army Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the Assistant Adjutant General, Army, who served in Iraq with Armbruster in 2004-05.

"I first met Diane in 2004 when the 42nd Infantry Division was called on to make history as the first Guard Division to deploy to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom," Natali said. "At the time, Diane was a member of the 250th Signal Battalion, a formation of the New Jersey Army National Guard which gave her up to serve in the division's G1 shop where she served as the personnel operations officer."

"She must've loved the New York Army National Guard so much that she would transfer and go on to lead our New York Soldiers at the company, battalion, and O6 (colonel) level," Natali said.

Armbruster would take on duties in New York as the 42nd Infantry Division Personnel Officer, Division Signal Company Commander, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Signal Officer, 42nd Infantry Division Signal Officer, 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion Commander and 106th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) Commander before her final assignment as the New York National Guard Signals Officer.

"My career in Army Signal has been the most rewarding thankless job I have ever had," Armbruster joked with the headquarters staff.

"My final assignment with the New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs has been truly enjoyable, largely due to the privilege of working alongside some of the finest leaders and dedicated civilians," she said.

Armbruster also previously retired from a civilian law enforcement career, providing 25 years to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office as a detective sergeant.

She is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and holds a Master's Degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

In addition to her awards, Armbruster received the Signal Corps Regimental Association's highest award, the Silver Order of Mercury, for her long-term service to the signal corps and the communications community.

"She's probably one of the most hardworking and dedicated officers I've had the opportunity to serve with in my career," Natali said.

She also received an American flag presented in honor of her military service, a National Guard lapel pin, National Guard Bureau Certificate of Appreciation, the Long and Faithful Service Award and a letter from New York's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, thanking her for service.

"Thank you for your continued dedication to Soldier and organizational readiness, your professionalism and commitment," Natali said. "You have a lot to be proud of."

"It was the people I served with who truly motivated me to continue serving," Armbruster said. "I am profoundly honored to have served alongside numerous remarkable service members, and I sincerely hope I contributed positively to their experiences, while offering a few smiles and laughs along the way."

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