WATERTOWN, NY (03/29/2010)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joshua Todd, a Watertown resident and Ogdensburg native, was named traditional Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year during a competition held March 27-28 at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham.

Todd, an Infantry skills instructor with the Army National Guard's 106th Regional Training Institute at Camp Smith, Westchester County, teaches officer candidates school classes. In civilian life he is a contractor working in the Watertown area.

He was selected as the top part-time, non-commissioned officer in the 10,600-member New York Army National Guard. The award is based on recommendations from his commanders, his performance in military skills ranging from land navigation to his ability to employ the M203 grenade launcher, and an interview conducted by senior non-commissioned officers.

"He is among best and the brightest," said New York National Guard Command Sgt. Major Robert Van Pelt. "Staff Sgt. Todd exemplifies the high standards we expect of our National Guard Soldiers and he will do well as a future leader in f the New York Army National Guard," he added.

Todd, age 28, joined the Army National Guard in 2001, and served in Iraq in 2004-2005 with the New York Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry. While in Iraq he conducted 180 combat patrols and 60 Air Assault Missions; operations in which soldiers are inserted in by helicopter.

He has trained in Thailand and Germany and has provided security augmentation to local law enforcement in New York City and has also assisted in securing the Indian Point nuclear power plant complex.

Todd has been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the Medal for Merit and he holds the Germany military Schutzenschnur badge.

Posted Monday March 29, 2010 at 11:27 am by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Thursday August 26, 2010 at 09:30 am