Warwick resident takes command of New York Guard, the state's volunteer defense force

New York National Guard veteran Peter Riley promoted to state brigadier general

Camp Smith Training Site, New York (09/20/2021) — A Warwick resident who served in Iraq with the New York National Guard in 2005 is the new commander of the New York Guard, the state's volunteer defense force.

Peter Riley, a retired Army National Guard colonel, was promoted to a state Brigadier General and placed in command of the 550 member force during a ceremony held on Saturday, Sept. 18, at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

The New York Guard is a uniformed volunteer force whose members augment the National Guard during state emergencies. Unlike the National Guard they are not armed and do not deploy on federal combat missions.

The force traces its history back to World War I when it was used to secure New York City's water system and bridges and tunnels across the state. Most recently hundreds of New York Guard members have been part of the state's COVID-19 response.

Riley replaces Brig. Gen. David Warrager who took command of the New York Guard in 2017. Warrager stepped down following a 36-year career in the New York Guard.

Riley, served in the New York National Guard for 30 years before retiring in 2019.

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York who commands New York's military forces, which includes the New York Guard, praised Riley as an outstanding and tested officer.

"Pete is a proven leader, a leader who cares about Soldiers and a leader who knows how to get things done," Shields said.

Riley served as the commander of Joint Task Force Empire Shield, a 750-Soldier and Airman security augmentation force from 2011 to 2019. His command included the forces response to Hurricane Sandy during which members of the task force rescued people from the storm on Staten Island.

He also served in Tikrit, Iraq as the deputy personnel officer for the 42nd Infantry Division in 2005 and was part of the response to the 9/11 Attacks in New York City in 2001. He's served in personnel positions in a number of Army National Guard units and was also an armor lieutenant as well.

In his remarks, Riley thanked his family for their support and Shields for nominating him to lead the New York Guard.

Working with New York Guard members this past year was a great experience, Riley said, adding that he looks forward to being the commander.

Riley joined the New York Guard as a Colonel in April 2020 to assist in the state's COVID-19 response missions. He commanded a 600 member task force for 100 days that supported vaccination testing and distribution sites across upstate New York.

He was serving as the personnel officer for the New York Guard prior to taking command.

Riley is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education course offered at the National Defense University in Norfolk, Virginia, the Armor Officer's Basic Course and the Adjutant General's Corps Basic Course. COL Riley's military education includes the Intermediate Level Education (ILE) - formerly the

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal, NYS defense of Liberty medal w/World Trade Center 9/11 service device, the Meritorious Services Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

He holds a BA from St. Lawrence University and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University.

He currently works as the Director of Veterans Services at Pace University.

He resides in Warwick, NY with his wife Maryanne and son Conor (24) and daughter Quinn (21).

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