West Sand Lake Resident Raymond Shields Promoted to One-Star General in New York Army National Guard

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Cindy Hopek (left) looks on as her mother, Alice Snyder, pins one star general's rank onto her brother and Snyders son, Raymond Shields, during Shields promotion ceremony Dec. 13.

LATHAM, NY (12/18/2012)(readMedia)-- West Sand Lake resident Raymond Shields was promoted to brigadier general (one-star) in the New York Army National Guard on Thursday, Dec. 13.

Shields, who has served in the Army Reserve and Army National Guard for more than 30 years, is the Director of Joint Staff for the 16,000- member New York Army and Air National Guard. His primary responsibility is to prepare for, and coordinate, the New York National Guard's response to domestic emergencies and missions.

He was promoted following as part of the commemoration of the National Guard's 376th Birthday held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.

Shields was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Marion Military Institute, in Marion, Alabama in 1983.

While in college he also served in the 75th Field Hospital of the United States Army Reserve in Tuscaloosa Alabama as an enlisted Soldier.

He is a full-time employee of the National Guard. He joined the New York Army National Guard following his commissioning as a platoon leader in the 205th Support Group, based in Troy, New York.

His assignments during his career included commander of Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion 105th Infantry, along with commands of infantry companies belonging to 1st Battalion 105th Infantry in Gloversville and Morrisonville, and command of the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry in Utica and the 106th Regional Training Institute at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.

Shields has also served as a key staff officer at the battalion and brigade level and at New York National Guard headquarters as director for training and operations, among other positions.

Shields served as the executive officer and deputy commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and was the brigade chief of staff during its deployment to Afghanistan in 2008 2009. The brigade was responsible for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, the mission to train the Afghan Army and police headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Shields was named Chief of Staff of the New York Army National Guard in October 2011 and took over as Director of Joint Staff in July.

He is also a graduate of the State University of New York in Albany with a Bachelors Degree in History, and holds a Masters of Public Administration from Marist College in Poughkeepsie.

Shields holds a Masters of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. and a National Security Management Certificate from Syracuse University's Maxwell School.

Shields awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.