NY Army Guard Command Sgt. Major recognized for 43-years of service to the state and nation
Latham, New York — New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Arnold Reyes, a Selden, New York resident and Iraq War veteran, retired after 43 years of military service during a Saturday October 17 ceremony at the New York Army National Guard’s headquarters in Latham.
Reyes final assignment was as the senior enlisted leader for the 42nd Infantry Division, since 2023. The division is headquartered in Troy, New York but has elements in other states.
Reyes enlisted in the Army in 1983, attended Basic Training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, and graduated from his Advanced Individual Training as an Operating Room Specialist from Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
In 1988, he joined the New York National Guard and reclassified as an Infantryman, as well as a Stinger air defense crewman.
His career includes assignments across a wide echelon of responsibilities starting with infantry team leader. He served as a battalion command sergeant major with both the 1st Battalion, 258 Field Artillery and the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry. He also served as the command sergeant major for the the 42nd Infantry Division Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade.
During the COVID-19 pandemic he served on state active duty as the senior leader of New York's New York City security force, Joint Task Force Empire Shield.
In 2025, Reyes deployed to the middle east in support of Operation Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve, and Epic Fury serving as the senior enlisted leader through major combat operations in support of U.S. Central Command objectives in the region.
His prior overseas deployment came in 2004 when he deployed as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant with the 1-69th Infantry Regiment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Maj. Gen. Jack James, the outgoing 42nd Infantry Division Commander, and the presiding officer at Reyes’ retirement ceremony, praised him for a remarkable career both in an Army and civilian capacity.
“I’m going to talk about the man Arnie Reyes I know as I got to know him. What a phenomenal human being Arnold Reyes is," James said.
" As a Suffolk County Police Officer , he delivered a significant number of children either in the back seat of a car on the highway or in somebody’s home," James said.
"To understand the kind of human he is, he stays in touch with all the families. This a remarkable testament to his humanity and his heart. I really got a special teammate here,” he added.
“Here we are 43 years later with a non-commissioned leader who’s applied himself diligently to every job he had, taken care of his Soldiers, has been technically and tactically proficient, and has led with distinction at every echelon in the Army,” James said.
“I want to thank you Sergeant Major Reyes for all you’ve done. I couldn’t have asked for a better Command Sergeant Major. One of the best non-commissioned officers in the United States Army and certainly the best non-commissioned officer that I’ve ever worked with,” concluded James.
In his remarks, Reyes thanked his fellow Soldiers, family, and friends for sharing this moment with him.
He spoke about his Army career and how it became part of who he was, not what he did. It taught him to take care of people and to leave the organization better than he found it.
“The Army gave me more than a profession, it gave me purpose, said Reyes. Standards to live by and a family made up of people from every background who were willing to stand by one another and accomplish the mission.”
He reflected on how his career could’ve ended as an Army Sergeant when he contemplated leaving the Army but he had a senior non-commissioned officer who believed in him and placed his confidence in Reyes, and taught him the importance of recognizing the hard work in Soldiers and he’s carried that lesson for decades.
“If I had helped even one Soldier stay the course, find confidence, or become the leader they were meant to be, that would be the legacy I’m most proud of,” said Reyes.
Reyes thanked his parents for supporting his decision to join the military.
He was looking for a part-time job and then he and his parents decided he should talk to an Army recruiter instead, he recalled.
“I know my father would be proud not only of our military service but also his decision to settle our family into the United States. Together my parents raised three sons who served in the Army and wore the uniform with pride," Reyes said.
He concluded by thanks his wife and children for their support during his Army career.
“To my wife, Corrine, for 33 years you have stood beside me with love, patience, devotion, that words could really never express, said Reyes. Your love gave me strength when I was tired. Thank you for believing in me and being the biggest blessing in my life.”
“To my children, Brianna and Vincent, thank you for always being there. This uniform is all you’ve known. I love you both so much,” he said.
As Command Sergeant Major in the 42nd Infantry Division Reyes was responsible for the readiness, training, and welfare of all Soldiers across the historic "Rainbow” Division.
During the ceremony he was presented with the Legion of Merit Medal for his exceptional military service over a 43-year career culminating as the senior enlisted leader of the 42nd Infantry Division.
Reyes was also presented with the Knight of the Honorable Order of Saint Michael for his significant contributions to Army Aviation and distinctive service.
Reyes and his wife Corinne were both awarded the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal for exceptional meritorious service to New York State.
Corrine Reyes was also presented the Shield of Sparta to recognize her outstanding dedication, personal sacrifice, selfless ideals, courage, and support of her husband as an Infantrymen in the Army.
For over 32 years, she provided unwavering support to Soldiers and their families on a day to day basis as well as during deployments, according to the citation.
Additionally she wasinducted in the honorable order of Saint Maurice for her significant and outstanding contributions to the United States Army Infantry Branch.
Finally, she was also presented with the Order of Our Lady of Loreto for her outstanding support to the Army Aviation community.
Reyes’ military and civilian education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, , Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Advanced NCO Course, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, the Nominative Leaders Course at the Army War College, U.S. Army Strategic Education at the Wharton School Course, Officer Candidate School TAQ Instructor Course, Total Army Instructor Trainer Course, Retention Career Counselor Course, Unit-Anti-Terrorism Advisor Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course.
His awards include the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, and is a recipient of the Infantry Order of Saint Maurice and the Field Artillery Order of Saint Barbara.
In civilian life, Reyes is a retired Suffolk County Police Officer where he worked as a tactical medic on a medical crisis action team.
Currently, Reyes still serves as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic at the Selden Fire Department in Long Island, New York.
He is a graduate of the Northport Veterans Administration Medical Center’s School of Nuclear Medicine Technology.
Reyes and his wife aspire one-day to move closer to his daughter Brianna who lives in Maine with her husband Ray.
Their son, Vincent, also deployed with the 42nd Infantry Division from 2025 to 2026, in support of Operation Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve, and Epic Fury.
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