NY Naval Militia gets new commander at Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters today, Friday, April 29
Captain Lawrence Weill, a Walworth, New York resident, will be promoted and take command of 2,700 member state naval force
Latham, NY (04/29/2022) — The 2,700-member New York Naval Militia gets a new commander this morning, Friday, April 29 during a ceremony at Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham.
Naval Militia Captain Lawrence Weill, a Walworth, New York resident, will be promoted to rear admiral (lower half) and take command of the Naval Militia from Rear Admiral Warren Smith.
The press is invited to cover the naval command change ceremony.
WHO: Captain Lawrence Weill, the incoming commander; Rear Admiral Warren Smith, the outgoing commander; Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York
WHAT: Traditional naval command change ceremony in which the outgoing and incoming commander of the New York Naval Militia will read their orders, formally transferring responsibility for the organization from one officer to the other.
Major General Ray Shields, who as adjutant general oversees the New York National Guard as well as the New York Naval Militia, will speak.
The traditional naval pipe salutes and bells will be part of the ceremony
WHEN: 11 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2022
WHERE: Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters, 330 OId Niskayuna Road, Latham.
Coverage Opportunities:
Reporters can interview both the incoming and outgoing commanders, as well as Shields, about the Naval Militia. Video and still image opportunities include Naval Militia members in formation and the ceremony of the naval change of command.
For access to this secure military facility, members of the press must call the New York National Guard public affairs office at 518-786-4581
BACKGROUND:
The New York Naval Militia
The New York Naval Militia is one of six state maritime forces in the United States. The Naval Militia was organized in 1891 as a sea-going National Guard before the Navy Reserve was created. During the Spanish-American War the New York Naval Militia manned two patrol ships.
Members of the New York Naval Militia volunteer to serve on state active duty when called by the governor, while continuing to serve as members of the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard reserve. They have supported the New York National Guard response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; Hurricane Sandy; and the COVID-19 response.
They put the skills they've learned as a federal reservist to work for the people of New York.
The New York Naval Militia operates the Military Emergency Boat service which consists of 11 watercraft that operate as required to provide security or emergency relief. A New York Naval Militia patrol boat regularly patrols New York Harbor.
The New York Naval Militia is still recognized as a military component by the Navy. The bulk of the New York Naval Militia members are simultaneously members of one of the federal naval reserve forces: the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, or the Coast Guard Reserve.
Five percent of the Naval Militia members can be members of the organization without serving as a federal reservist.
As of Dec. 1, 2021, there were 2,762 members of the New York Naval Militia. Of those members, 1,348 hold membership in the Navy Reserve, 1,194 drill with the Marine Corps Reserve, and 97 drill with Coast Guard Reserve units. Another 85 members are non-drilling federal reserve members and 38 are non-reservists.
Rear Admiral Lawrence Weill
Rear Admiral Lawrence Weill was commissioned into the Navy in June of 1982 after graduating from Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island. He served aboard the USS Concord.
His other Navy Reserve assignments included as the gaining command liaison office- the Navy Reserve officer in charge-for four ships. He served as the commanding officer of Assault Craft Unit two, commanding officer of Naval Surface Group Mediterranean 105, and as the deputy commander of Task Group 63 in Naples, Italy.
His last assignment before retiring in 2008 was at the Navy Historical Center in Washington D.C.
He has been a member of the New York Naval Militia since 1986.
His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Weill holds a bachelor's degree from Hartwick College and a master's degree from Rochester Institute of Technology.
He retired from Xerox Corporation as a senior logistics analyst.
He is marred to Patricia Weill, who is a senior quality engineer specializing in software systems.
They have two daughters, Kelly and Erin, and one grandson, Callum.
Rear Admiral Warren Smith
Rear Admiral Warren Smith was commissioned in 1981 from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He served on destroyers and a guided missile cruiser before transferring to the Navy Reserve.
His Navy Reserve assignments included reserve officer in charge for two ships, the reserve executive officer for the USS Oliver Hazard Perry, public affairs officer for Atlantic Command, and a joint staff planner for the Area Air Defense Commander, Atlantic.
He retired from the Navy Reserve in 2007 and has been a member of the New York Naval Militia since 2004.
His awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
He holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Yale University and is a registered architect based in Rhinebeck, New York.