News from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

For more information contact: New York Guard Captain George Lamboy 917-697-9413 (cell) and 914-739-6500

New York Guard, State’s All Volunteer Defense Force Trains at Camp Smith

Media Advisory

CAMP SMITH , NY (07/14/2008; 0850)(readMedia)-- Members of the media are invited to observe New York's all-volunteer state defense force, the New York Guard, conducting annual training a Camp Smith, New York's military training site, on July 17.

WHO: More than 300 volunteer members of the New York Guard, one of 26 state defense forces.

WHAT: An opportunity to observe New York Guard members conducting a emergency disaster response exercise based on a hurricane scenario. Members of the media can observe a Tactical Operations Center in action, and watch and interview members of the Search and Rescue and Chemical Decontamination teams going through their training. There will be an opportunity to interview New York Guard Major General Michael Van Patten, a former New York Army National Guard general officer and commander of the New York Guard.

WHEN: 11. a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2008.

WHERE: Camp Smith, Routes 202 and 6, Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County

In order to obtain access to this secure military facility,members of the media should contact Captain George Lamboy no later than 1030 on Thursday July 17 by calling 917-697-9413 or 914-739-6500.

BACKGOUND:

The New York Guard:

The New York Guard is one of 26 State Defense Forces authorized under federal law. It's mission focus is to provide aide to civil authorities and homeland security.The motto of the New York Guard is "Fully Trained and Ready to Respond."

It is different from the New York National Guard in that members cannot be called into federal service, always work for the governor of New York, do not deploy overseas, and normally do not get paid.

The 750 members of the New York Guard, total strength is authorized at 1,100, perform missions within New York . Members of the New York Guard can be older than members of the National Guard and do not have to meet the same physical fitness standards.

They serve on a volunteer basis and are paid only when ordered onto State Active Duty . Members of the New York Guard do not carry weapons, and their current mission is to augment the New York National Guard. Many New York Guard members have prior military experience but that is not a requirement.

New York Guard members are trained in Search and Rescue techniques, chemical decontamination, and they also operate a high-frequency radio network that can be used for emergency communications. Doctors and lawyers who belong to the New York Guard assist in the mobilization and demobilization of New York Army National Guard Soldiers heading for combat zones. New York Guard engineers also assist National Guard engineers in their projects. These have included constructing buildings used for urban combat training,and upgrading ranges.

Following the 9/11 attacks New York Guard members provided site security at armories around the state, freeing up New York Army National Guard soldiers for other missions.

New York Guard History:

The New York Guard's history began in World War I when the New York National Guard was mobilized and sent to France. To replace the National Guard as a military force at the command of the governor, New York and other states, created State Guards. By 1919 the New York Guard consisted of 22,000 officers and men. While the bulk of these men were part-time soldiers, a force was assigned full-time to Guard the New York City reservoirs. There were fears that German spies would damage the system. During this service 40 New York Guard members died from the influenza pandemic that swept the globe in 1918 and 1919.

In 1940, Congress authorized the creation of State Guards when the National Guard was federalized on the eve of World War II. The New York State Guard was supplied with surplus uniforms and rifles and eventually mustered 24,000 men by 1945. In January and February 1945 the New York Guard aided in the state's response to an upstate snowstorm.

The New York Guard was reborn in 1950 as the Korean War raged and has been in existence ever since.

Major General Michael Robert Van Patten:

Saratoga resident Michael Robert Van Patten served in the New York Army National Guard from November 1965 until 2002, when he retired as a Major General (two stars). During his Army National Guard career he served as Commander of the 53^rd Troop Command, and commander of the New York Army National Guard. He graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College and holds a masters degree in accounting from the State University at Albany and bachelors from SienaCollege.

A certified public accountant, Van Patten, operates his own accounting practice and is also a professor of accounting and head of the accounting department at Siena College.

In 2006 Major General Van Patten was asked to return to the New York Military Forces by Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General of New York, and take command of the New York Guard. He was charged by Major General Taluto with revitalizing the New York Guard and making it a more professional force, which could augment the New York National Guard, and play a key role in New York's emergency response.