MILITARY NEWS
Retired
• Chief Petty Officer Matthew L. Suarez, a Kingston native, retired from the Navy after 22 years of service
His retirement ceremony was at the Submarine Force Museum and Library and the Historic Ship Nautilus in Groton, Conn.
Suarez served at Naval Submarine Support Center, New London as a logistics specialist. He was responsible for ordering repair parts and managing financials for submarines attached to his command.
During his career, Suarez served on five submarines.
Suarez is a 1989 Kingston High School graduate.
• Reserve Col. Terence Smith, a 1983 Onteora High School graduate, retired from the U.S. Army Reserve after 30 years of service.
He was last serving as Individual Ready Reserve with Individual Ready Reserve in Fort Knox, Ky. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2017 from the University of Tampa in Florida.
Promoted
Michael J. Decker, a Kingston native, was promoted to the rank of master gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps.
Decker entered the Marine Corps through the delayed entry program in 1993, eventually obtaining the rank of staff sergeant. He was then deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II with MALS-16 (FWD), 3-MAW, I-MEF as the Precision Measuring Equipment Chief, located at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, and, upon completion, was selected for gunnery sergeant.
In 2010, Decker joined 4th Civil Affairs Group as the G-9 Operations Chief. There then followed a two-year assignment with 2D Marine Division, including a one-year deployment in support of OEF-11 as the G-9 Civil Military Operations Chief for 2D Marine Division FWD in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
After being promoted to master sergeant, Decker in 2013 moved to his current duty station at Force Headquarters Group, MARFORRES MCSF NOLA as the G-3⁄5 Exercise/Plans Chief. While at his current duty, he has been instrumental in planning and the executing of several Joint and Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff Exercises for both the Force Headquarters Group Command Element and Subordinate Commands. His efforts have furthered the integrated training accomplishments with both coalition and multinational forces, deploying to Jordan twice in support of Exercise Eager Lion and in support of these efforts. Decker was promoted to his current rank of master gunnery sergeant last February and assumed the duties as G-3⁄5 Chief and Senior Enlisted Advisor for Force Headquarters Group, where he is currently serving.
Decker’s personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” and Gold Star in lieu of second award, Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award; Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, eighth award; Humanitarian Service Medal (Individual Award) and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He holds a dual-major bachelor of science degree in electrical/mechanical engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and is pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering there part time while remaining employed by GLOBALFOUNDRIES. He is also active in the community with youth and veteran programs, and is the scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop No. 8 in Sawkill.
Decker and his wife, Kimberly, have two sons, James, who is a Marine military police sergeant stationed at Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii; and Christopher, at home.
Graduated
• U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ashley R. Tolbert, the daughter of a Kingston resident, graduated from basic training at Joint Base San AntonioLackland in San Antonio, Texas.
Airmen completed an intensive
eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Tolbert is a 2010 Kingsotn High School graduate and earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 2016.
She is the daughter of Tommy J. Eades of Kingston, N.Y., and Kimberly A. Tolbert of Aubrey, Texas, and the stepdaughter of Diane R. Jackson of
Aubrey, Texas.
••• The following area residents serving in the New York Army National Guard were promoted:
• Francis Kondelka of Lake Katrine, serving with Company A, 101st Signal Battalion, to the rank of specialist.
• Roberta Scism of Phoenicia, serving at Joint Force Headquarters, to the rank of stagg sergeant.
• Steven Snyder of Rosendale, serving with Intelligence and Sustainment Company, 42nd Infantry Division, to the rank of private first class.
• Meghan Snow of Kingston, serving with the 1569th Transportation
Company, to the rank of private.
• Devin Bellanca of Saugerties, serving with the 206th Military Police Company, to the rank of private.
Re-enlisted
The following area residents serving in the New York Army National Guard re-enlisted:
• Pvt. 1st Class Amanda Bard of Red Hook, serving with the 206th Military Police Company.
• Staff Sgt. Amandajo Jaskot of Kingston, serving with Company B, Recruiting and Retention.
• Sgt. Patrick Shortle of Gardiner, serving with Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 1-69th Infantry.
Completed training
The following area residents completed Army basic combat training and advanced individual training as members of the New York Army National Guard and joined their units during a battle handoff ceremony on July 16 at the Leeds Armory in Catskill:
• Pvt. Yomarys Farrell of Kingston, assigned to the Medical Command.
• Pfc. Steven Snyder of Rosendale, assigned to the Intelligence and Sustainment Company, 42nd Infantry Division.