Ballston Lake resident Robert Mitchell promoted to colonel in the New York Army National Guard

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Zak Mitchell (center right) affixes rank to the uniform of Col. Robert Mitchell as his son Jeff looks on during Mitchell's promotion ceremony on Jan. 10.

LATHAM, NY (01/13/2016)(readMedia)-- Robert Mitchell, a Ballston Lake resident and veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, has been promoted to colonel in the New York Army National Guard.

Mitchell, is a full-time National Guard officer who serves at the G-6-- the information technology officer-- for the New York Army National Guard. He was promoted during a Jan. 10 ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.

Mitchell was commission as a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1995 and was trained as an Ordnance Officer. He served in the Active Army from 1995 to 2005 when he transferred to the New York Army National Guard.

During his Active Army service Mitchell was trained as an explosive ordnance disposal expert, dealing with unexploded bombs and shells and improvised explosive devices. He served in Afghanistan as the commander of the 774th Ordnance Disposal Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) in 2001.

He also served as director of training at the Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, prior to leaving active duty.

Since joining the New York Army National Guard, Mitchell has served as the executive officer and commander of the 501st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), and deployed to Iraq with the unit in 2010.

He has also served as deputy director for domestic operations for the New York National Guard, charged with coordinating the deployment of Soldiers and Airmen in response to state emergencies.

Mitchell holds a bachelor's degree from SUNY Binghamton and a master's degree from Grantham University. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and is currently enrolled in the Army War College.

Among his awards are the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He also holds the Master Ordnance Disposal Badge.

He has his wife Victoria have four children; Nick, Robbie, Zak and Jeff, and one grandson, Dominic.