Grand Island resident William Snyder promoted to colonel in New York Army National Guard

Afghan War veterans and high school teacher is second in command of 1,600 Soldier 153rd Troop Command

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LATHAM, NY (03/17/2025) Grand Island resident William F. Snyder, a high school history teacher and Afghan War veteran, was promoted to the rank of colonel in the New York Army National Guard on Friday, March 13.

Snyder, who enlisted in the National Guard at age 19, now serves as a brigade executive officer for the 153rd Troop Command.

In that role he helps lead,600 Soldiers across the state.

Snyder was promoted in front of Soldiers and his family by Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, the adjutant general of New York, inside the historic Connecticut Street Armory.

Shields noted that Snyder joins a select group among the more than 11,400 soldiers assigned to the New York Army National Guard. Only 32 hold the rank of colonel.

"Bill has been very helpful to us over the years in many, many instances," Shields said, "We can't thank [him] enough."

After seven years as an enlisted Soldier, Snyder graduated from the New York National Guard's Officer Candidate School and earned his commission as an engineer officer.

He served as an engineer platoon leader and company commander before his first overseas deployment as a training assistance group engineer in Afghanistan in 2008.

He deployed again in 2012 as a battalion logistics officer in Kuwait and held staff positions in Buffalo before deploying to Ukraine as a brigade engineer in 2017 to help train Ukrainian troops.

Snyder commanded the Buffalo-based 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion from 2019 to 2022, when he deployed to Germany as deputy commander of the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine.

"I've been very fortunate throughout my career to be able to work with some outstanding leaders that have mentored me and guided me along the way," Snyder said.

Snyder currently serves as executive officer the 153rd Troop Command Brigade. Headquartered in Buffalo, the brigade includes more than 1,600 Soldiers assigned to military police, engineer, and explosive ordnance disposal battalions across New York.

During state emergencies, the brigade headquarters provides command and control of Army and Air National Guard units in 18 Western New York counties. The 153rd was responsible for over 1,000 Soldiers deployed in western New York correctional facilities on the date of Snyder's promotion.

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