Buffalo-based National Guard brigade to welcome new leadership team on Saturday. Dec. 13

BUFFALO, NEW YORK (12/12/2025) (readMedia)-- BUFFALO, N.Y. - New York Army National Guard Col. William Snyder, Grand Island resident and a veteran of the war inAfghanistan, and Command Sgt. Maj. Morgan Cady, an Iraq war veteran, will take command of the Guard's 153rd Troop Command Brigade on December 13, 2025, during a ceremony in the historic Connecticut Street Armory.

Snyder will replace Col. Christopher Guilmette and Cady will replace Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Giamberdino, who have led the brigade's 1,600 Soldiers across the state since May 2022.

Members of the press are invited to cover the change of command ceremony.

WHO: Col. Christopher Guilmette, the outgoing commander; Col. William Snyder, the incoming commander; Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Giamberdino, the outgoing senior enlisted service member; Command Sgt. Maj. Morgan Cady, the incoming senior enlisted member; Col. Jason Lefton,incoming 53rd Troop Command commander; Brig. Gen. Isabel Smith, New York National Guard Joint Staff director who will preside over the ceremony; and Soldiers of the 153rd Troop Command Brigade.

WHAT: A combined change of command and change of responsibility ceremony. The colors, or flag, of the 153rd Troop Command will be transferred from the current senior leaders to the incoming senior leaders.

The ceremony was born in the days when the regimental flag was carried on the battlefield. The transfer of the flag showed Soldiers who they would now follow in battle.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday, December 13, 2025.

Members of the media must arrive by 1:45 p.m. to be in position for the ceremony, which will start promptly at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Connecticut Street Armory, 184 Connecticut Street, Buffalo, NY 14202.

Reporters must contact Maj. Avery Schneider at 917-443-1864 (call/text) or email avery.p.schneider@gmail.com no later than 12 p.m. on December 13 for access to this secure military facility.

Coverage Opportunities:

Col. William Snyder and Command Sgt. Maj. Morgan Cady, the incoming command team, will be available to media following the ceremony. Video and still imagery includes the ceremony, presentation of awards to outgoing leadership team, presentation of flowers to the families of incoming and outgoing leadership teams, and Soldiers and multiple unit colors in formation.

BACKGROUND:

Col. William Snyder

Col. William F. Snyder, a Grand Island resident, enlisted as a welder in the New York Army National Guard in October 1996 and was assigned to the 152nd Engineer Battalion in Buffalo, N.Y. where he served for seven years.

In 2003, Snyder graduated from the New York National Guard's Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an engineer officer. He was assigned as a platoon leader in the 152nd Engineer Battalion from 2003 until taking command of Alpha Company, 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Lockport, N.Y. in 2005.

In 2008, Snyder deployed to Afghanistan as a training assistance group engineer with New York's 106th Regional Training Institute. He returned to the 27th BSTB in 2009 to serve as the BSTB's logistics officer and deployed to Kuwait in that role in 2012.

Following deployment, Snyder served as the BSTB's operations officer and then executive officer.

In 2017, Snyder deployed to Ukraine as the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine brigade enginer.

He served as a liaison officer with the 42nd Infantry Division in Troy, NY until taking command of the 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2019.

In 2022, Snyder deployed to Germany as JMTG-U deputy commander and officer in charge of the mission's Mobile Training Team.

He most recently served as executive officer for the 153rd Troop Command Brigade in Buffalo.

In addition to his assignments, Snyder has served on major state active-duty missions in New York, including the state's COVID-19 response mission, Asylum Seeker mission, and support of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

He has participated in training deployments to South Korea, the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, and the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Snyder's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.

Snyder holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Secondary Education and a Master of Science in History from Buffalo State College. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Engineer Officer Basic Course, U.S. Army Maneuver Captain's Career Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and U.S. Army War College.

In his civilian career, Snyder is a high school history teacher for the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District.

Command Sgt. Maj. Morgan Cady

Command Sgt. Maj. Morgan Cady, a native and resident of Boonville, New York, enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2000 and attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Upon graduation from AIT, he was assigned to the 107th Military Police Company in Utica, New York as a Combat Support Military Police Soldier.

His military assignments included the 107th Military Police Company, Utica, New York; Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 104th Military Police Battalion, Kingston, New York; 107th Military Police Company, Brooklyn, New York; 442nd Military Police Company, Jamaica, and the 106th Regional Training Institute, Camp Smith, New York.

Cady's leadership positions include Military Police Team Leader, Military Police Squad Leader, Battalion Law and Order NCO, Battalion Maneuver and Mobility Support NCO, Platoon Sergeant, Company First Sergeant, Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Regional Training Institute Command Sergeant Major. Cady also spent four years as the Marksman/Observer Team Leader on the Fort Drum Special Reaction Team.

Cady's schools and credentials include Anti-Terrorism Level II course, Special Reaction Team Phase I (entry) and Phase II (Marksman/Observer), Military Police Firearms Instructor (LEWTAQ), New York State Firearms Instructor course, Police Defensive Tactics Instructor, New York State Less than Lethal Instructor, Police General Topics Instructor, Police Physical Fitness Instructor, and Law Enforcement Active Shooter Response Train-the-Trainer course. Cady received his bachelor's degree in public administration from Empire State University in May of 2019.

Cady's personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star, Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (5th award), Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, and the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training medal. Among his New York State awards are the New York State Soldier of the Year Medal and the Defense of Liberty medal with World Trade Center device.

Cady is a 21-year veteran of the Fort Drum Department of the Army Police and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2019. He holds the position of Deputy Chief of Operations in Fort Drum's Law Enforcement division.

The 153rd Troop Command Brigade

Headquartered in the historic Connecticut Street Armory in Buffalo, New York, the 153rd Troop Command Brigade carries a rich history dedicated to serving New York and the nation. Established in 2006 through a reorganization of the 42nd Infantry Division's Engineer Brigade, the 153rd Troop Command Brigade builds upon a legacy dating back to the late 19th century.

The Brigade currently commands close to 1,600 Soldiers in diverse units across New York State – Engineers, Military Police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Medical, and Transportation – providing Command and Control to 14 unique units that train and mobilize locally, nationally, and internationally. The 153rd Troop Command Brigade upholds a legacy of commitment to mission and state.

The brigade plays a critical role in both state and federal missions. Serving as the command of Joint Task Force V in 18 Western New York Counties and as the FEMA Region II Homeland Response Force, the brigade stands ready to respond to emergencies.

The 153rd Troop Command Brigade has supported multiple civil support operations and relief efforts, including Snowstorm Stella in the Northeastern United States in 2017 and Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean in 2017. The command's Soldiers mobilized and moved millions of dollars of equipment to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in record time for the hurricane relief efforts. Hundreds of 153rd TCB Soldiers deployed in support of the New York National Guard's COVID-19 response efforts in 2020. In February 2025, the brigade was called to state active duty to support the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

The brigade's subordinate units have a distinguished record of service, including multiple combat tours, overseas deployments, and consistent support to state and local authorities.

Through tireless dedication and a commitment to excellence, the Soldiers of the 153d Troop Command exemplify the brigade's motto: "Buffalo Strong, Always Ready."