Queensbury resident Matthew Starr promoted to Warrant Officer 3 in the New York Army National Guard
Latham, NY (02/04/2020) — Matthew Starr, a Queensbury resident, was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the New York Army National Guard during a morning ceremony on February 4 at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.
Starr, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan, is a full time National Guard Soldier who currently works as the Branch Chief in charge of civilian Employee Relations for the New York National Guard. Starr is responsible for managing the benefit programs of over 2,000 employees around the state. He also assists in administering a personnel budget of about $60 million.
Starr joined the Army in 2000 as a fire support specialist and spent for years serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 18th Airborne Corps.
In February 2004, Starr joined the New York Army National guard as a human resources non-commissioned officer. He has served in a variety of positions to include: enlisted aid to two different Adjutant Generals of the New York National Guard, readiness non-commissioned officer for the security partnering team at Camp Smith Training Site; senior non-commissioned officer in charge of full-time Soldier actions; and career counselor for the Joint Forces Headquarters detachment at New York National Guard headquarters.
Starr deployed to Afghanistan and served as support section non-commissioned officer in charge at the Joint Border Coordination Center in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.
Air National Guard Lt. Col. Michelle Buonome, the director of the New York National Guard Human Resources Office, praised Starr as an outstanding leader who cares about people.
"What I have witnessed over the years is a Soldier that is a hard charging supervisor, a critical thinker, an astute problem solver, and a trusted advisor," she said.
Starr hold a degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of number of military schools to include the Air Force Load Planners Course, the Air Force Movement Operations Crouse, Warrant Officer Candidate School and the Technician Warrant Officers Advanced Course.
Warrant Officers are technical specialists and leaders who fall between non-commissioned officers and the officer corps in the Army's chain of command.
His awards include the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the NCO Professional Development Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.
He and his wife Jenny have four children: Ethan, Jackson, Maya, and Gwyn.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matt Starr, stands at attention while his son Ethan removes his old rank while his son Jackson prepares to place his new rank during Starr's promotion ceremony at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on February 4, 2020. Starr serves as the Branch Chief of the Employee Relations Branch of the Human Resources Office, overseeing benefits for more than 2,000 civilian employees. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Eric Durr )
New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matt Starr,is congratulated by Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York, following his promotion ceremony at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on February 4, 2020. Starr serves as the Branch Chief of the Employee Relations Branch of the Human Resources Office, overseeing benefits for more than 2,000 civilian employees. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Eric Durr )
New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matt Starr, stands with his wife Jenny and their sons Ethan and Jackson and daughters Maya and Gwyn following his promotion ceremony at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on February 4, 2020. Starr serves as the Branch Chief of the Employee Relations Branch of the Human Resources Office, overseeing benefits for more than 2,000 civilian employees. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Eric Durr )