Shawn Tabankin, a Clifton Park resident, is promoted to colonel in the New York Army National Guard
Latham, New York (06/11/2025) — Clifton Park resident Shawn Tabankin was promoted to the rank of colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a Wednesday, June 11 ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.
Tabankin, who joined the United States Army in 1997, is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He currently serves as the deputy operations officer for the New York Army National Guard.
Major General Michele Natali, the assistant general, Army, praised Tabankin as an officer who has done it all in his career.
"Shawn has held, probably, every key development job that an infantry officer could have," Natali said.
He deployed with the first New York National Guard infantry battalion to go to Iraq as a platoon leader, he led an infantry company in Afghanistan, he deployed as a division plans officer to Kuwait and then led an infantry battalion in the Horn of Africa, Natali noted.
"Your career has really been a road map of where the Army's been, and where the New York Army National Guard has been in the last 20 years," Natali told him.
In his remarks, Tabankin thanked his family for their support over the years.
"You had to sacrifice more than I did over the years," Tabankin said.
He also thanked those he has served with over the years.
"You are the sum of the experiences of the people you work with; your leaders, your peers and your subordinates," Tabankin said. "Please know that I have learned something from each of you."
After enlisting in the Army in, Tabankin served in the 82nd Airborne Division before receiving his commission as an infantry officer in 2002 through the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps.
At that time, he transferred to the New York Army National Guard in order to attend New York Law School.
In 2003, Tabankin took a voluntary leave of absence from law school in order to deploy to Iraq as a platoon leader with the New York Army National Guard's Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry.
Tabankin completed law school, began practice as an attorney and continued his service as a National Guard officer.
Tabankin became a full-time active-duty member of the New York Army National Guard in 2012. He deployed to Afghanistan as a company commander as the commander of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry in 2012.
He served as force integration officer and then, in 2015, the battalion operations officer for the 2-108th Infantry.
In 2017, Tabankin transferred to the 42nd Infantry Division where he deployed to Kuwait as the Chief of Plans for Task Force Spartan.
From October 2021 to October 2023, Tabankin served as the commander of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, famous as the "Fighting 69th"
As the battalion commander he led Task Force Wolfhound, a unit of 1,100 New York National Guard troops built around the 69th Infantry, which provided security at U.S. facilities in the Horn of Africa from October 2022 to June 2023.
Tabankin is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Maneuver Captain's Career Course, the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. He is a graduate of New York Law School. He also holds a bachelor's degree from Florida International University.
His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, the Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He also holds the Medal for Multinational Cooperation Grade III from the Republic of Slovenia, and the Bronze Marsjmerket from Norway.
He and his wife Jen have a son, Ephrin, and daughter, Addyson.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Col. Shawn Tabankin, a Clifton Park resident, stands at attention as his daughter Addyson pins on his new rank during his promotion ceremony held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on June 11, 2025. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)
New York National Guard
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